The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of… Read Full Bio ↴The Beach Boys are an iconic American rock band, frequently cited as one of the most influential and commercially successful groups in the history of popular music due to their intricate vocal harmonies, studio experiments, and novel approaches to pop songwriting. Rooted in doo-wop and rock and roll, their early string of vocal surf hits defined the '60s California Sound. For a period afterward, they notably delved into progressive pop styles. often combining elements from classical and jazz in innovative ways.
Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
Formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the original group comprised singer-musician-composer and bandleader Brian Wilson, his brothers Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a temporary replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to pursue a career in dentistry.
On their first few studio albums, the group primarily played surf music, but this changed after 1964 as their songs became more sophisticated and autobiographical. The 1965 album Today! particularly represented this shift in sound. Bruce Johnston joined the group that same year. Session drummer Hal Blaine is quoted: "We all studied in conservatories; we were trained musicians. We thought it was a fluke at first, but then we realized Brian was writing these incredible songs. This was not just a young kid writing about high school and surfing."
Following their most esteemed work, Pet Sounds (1966), the band became symbols of psychedelic counterculture. The highly anticipated follow-up, Smile, was left unfinished, and Brian soon relinquished his creative hold on the group. A trilogy of lo-fi releases followed: Smiley Smile (1967), Wild Honey (1967), and Friends (1968). Brian would not be credited as a primary composer for any Beach Boys album until 1977's Love You, an album on the fringe of synth-pop, new wave, and punk.
In Brian's absence, the Beach Boys still managed to release music that was regarded favorably by fans and critics despite poor sales: Sunflower (1970) and Surf's Up (1971). South African musicians Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar played and sang with the band on the next two albums: Carl & the Passions - So Tough (1972), and Holland (1973).
Many changes in both musical style and personnel have occurred in their sometimes-stormy career: Brian Wilson's mental illness and drug addiction; the deaths of Dennis Wilson in 1983 and Carl Wilson in 1998; and continuing legal battles among surviving members of the group. With the release of 1974's Endless Summer they became a more popular touring act, playing their greatest hits. They have recorded 36 Billboard Top 40 hits (including four number-one singles), have had over 100 million sales, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Official site: http://www.thebeachboys.com
Unreleased Backgrounds
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
One two three four
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
Do it again
Yeah
One two three four
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
Nice
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
Do it again
Yeah
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
Nice
One two three four
The song is beginning and the count-in is indicating the start of the recording.
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
A vocalization that does not convey any clear message and is simply a musical embellishment.
Do it again
The singer is requesting that the band repeat a certain section of the song, either because it was not performed to their satisfaction or because they want to capture a more polished take.
Yeah
An expression of agreement or excitement in response to the previous statement.
One two three four
Another count-in to signify the next section of the song.
Whoooooo-ooooooo-oooooo-oooooo
The same embellishment as before, continuing the musical motif of the previous section.
Nice
A brief indication of approval for the previous take or section of the song. Its brevity indicates that there is no need for repetition, and that they can move on to the next part.
Contributed by Avery Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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counsel
Brian was uniquely creative. He suffered major symptoms of schizoaffective disorder in late 1966 in his mid 20s. Tragically, he was misdiagnosed for nearly 15 years, then was grossly overmedicated. Like many sufferers from this disorder, he self-medicated with narcotics and cigarettes. He then developed tardive dyskinesia from antipsychotics. He suffered brain damage. He first received proper treatment in the 1990s. He's a courageous guy who should be applauded for continuing to create music.
Demi
Imagine where we'd be if such a genius hadn't been so beleaguered at such a young age
C.F. Mixolydian
0:28 This is just pure bliss. How can a human create something like this???
Jan Med
This has got to be one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. All Brian Wilson. His voice leaves me breathless.
sdcampillo
Perfect harmony. Only Brian Wilson could do that.
Nate Corning
marvin gaye as well
Fowen
@Nate Corning And the Four Freshmen
Dejima
and the beatles
Joรฃo Silva
only Brian until now
The Starclipse
No one can't touch The Beach Boys or even come close to this