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
With Me Tonight
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On and on she go dumb be do
On and on she go dumb bay do da
On and on she go dumb be do
On and on she go dumb bay do da
On and on she go dumb be do
Good
On and on you go dumb be do
On and on you go dumb bay do da
On and on you go dumb be do
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
You're with me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
For sure you're with me, tonight I'm sure you're with me tonight
On and on you go dumb bay do da
On and on you go dumb be do
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
For sure you're with me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
On and on you go dumb bay do da
On and on you go dumb be do
On and on you go dumb bay do da
On and on you go dumb be do
With me, tonight I know
On and on she go dumb bay do da
Onnnnnn
On and on she go dumb bay do da
Onnnnn
At first glance, the lyrics to The Beach Boys’s song “With Me Tonight” may seem strange and nonsensical. However, upon closer analysis, one can see that the song is actually about the singer’s deep desire for a woman to be with him. The repetition of “On and on she go dumb bay do da” and “On and on you go dumb bay do da” emphasizes the relentlessness of his feelings and desire for her. The line “Good” that follows suggests that the singer’s wish to be with her is a positive force in his life.
The chorus, “With me, tonight I know you’re with me tonight,” underscores the sense of immediacy and longing within the song. The repetition of the phrase “for sure you’re with me, tonight” reinforces the singer’s need for certainty and security in his affections. In the final lines, “On and on she go dumb bay do da” and “Onnnnnn,” the singer seems to trail off, as if his words cannot fully express his intense emotions.
Overall, the lyrics of “With Me Tonight” convey the raw and urgent emotions of desire and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
On and on she go dumb bay do da
Despite all obstacles and challenges, she persists in her actions without any logical reason
On and on she go dumb be do
Continuously, she continues her irrational behavior without any explanation
Good
Acknowledgment that all is well and there are no issues at hand
On and on you go dumb bay do da
The person being addressed is being criticized for their stubbornness and irrational persistence
On and on you go dumb be do
A continued proclamation of the person's senseless and illogical behavior
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
An assurance that the person being spoken to is present and accompanying the singer tonight
For sure you're with me, tonight I'm sure you're with me tonight
The singer is positive that the addressed person is with them tonight
On and on you go dumb bay do da
Continued criticism against the person's stubbornness and lack of logical thought
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
A reiterated assurance that the person is present with the artist tonight
On and on you go dumb bay do da
More criticism towards the person's relentless, unyielding behavior
On and on you go dumb be do
A continued proclamation of the person's nonsensical actions and words
With me, tonight I know you're with me tonight
Final reassurance that the person addressed is present with the artist tonight
On and on she go dumb bay do da
A final statement regarding the woman's persistent, illogical decision-making and behavior
Onnnnnn
An extended, drawn-out final note to end the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Kokomo
This song is an absolute classic and I love the way that it lists all the major destinations in the Caribbean.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfin' U.S.A.
A great song by The Beach Boys hit all the major surfing destinations.
Philip Kassabian
on Catch a Wave
This song really gets you in the mood for surfing.
Philip Kassabian
on Surfer Girl
What a splendid song by The Beach Boys. They really were a great band.
Philip Kassabian
on Wouldn't It Be Nice
One of the greatest Beach Boys songs.
Les lumb
on Surf's Up
Love Good Vibrations ,God Only Knows however this is my fav Beach Boys song
Les lumb
on San Miguel
It captures the mood of the place, very atmospheric
Les lumb
on Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) [Single Version]
Great version by the Beach Boys it flows
Les lumb
on Break Away
Soothing
Leslie Lumb
on Break Away
Love the opening verses beautiful words