Upholstery
The Beach Bums Lyrics

The Beach Boys' song Upholstery is a nostalgic look back at the fun, carefree days of hot rods, drag races, and romancing your girl. The lyrics describe a night where the singer lost a street race to someone he should have beaten, and then later got caught by the police driving without registration. These mistakes lead to him losing control of his emotions and damaging the upholstery where his "baby" sits next to him in his car. The lyrics imply that these problems of racing and getting in trouble with the law are just minor setbacks in life, and that what really matters is the cherished moments spent with the people you care about, like sitting together on the upholstery of a car.

The use of the word "upholstery" in the song title and chorus is a clever way to indirectly reference the sense of belonging or "home" that the singer finds in his car. The upholstery is the place where he feels most comfortable and at ease, sitting next to his loved one. The line "That's supposed to be what our life is all about" reinforces the idea that meaningful connections with people are the most important things in life, even if they come in unexpected or unconventional forms.

As for the music itself, Upholstery has a classic rock and roll sound with a fun, upbeat tempo that makes it a perfect cruising song. The catchy chorus and guitar riffs are typical of The Beach Boys' style, and it's easy to imagine listening to this song while driving down the beach in a vintage car. Overall, Upholstery is a charming tribute to a bygone era, a celebration of the joys of youth, and a reminder to always cherish the moments and people that make life special.