Throughout the past few weeks, we’ve embarked on probably one of the most ambitious blog series yet. The past 3 years, we’ve delved into and explored the music of influential artists and artists who are on the cusp of being influential. But these 50 artists Jon and I are going to write about… are in a whole new different category. Much more clear-cut with little to no room for disagreement about the artists; the category of Identity-Building and Iconic artists; reminds us that some artists are timeless, and some artists will just be legendary even 50 years from now. We’ve written about Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, ABBA, Bon Jovi, and Keith Green; and these 5 artists thus far, are some of the most powerful, confronting, and thought-provoking artists ever to have lived. And we will continue to write about iconic heavyweights of the music industry for the many months to come. Iconic artists, to me, differ to influential artists in the sense that these artists are iconic just because. You don’t need to justify the reasons why you believe they are iconic, and you don’t have to write an essay length piece… because all of the readers virtually will agree with you anyway. And as such, the past few installments have been different from how Jon and I have been blogging in the past. Simply because we do not write about every single hit song from every single album. It’s pointless, when these musicians and singers have etched their way into legendary status and folklore long before I even thought about writing about them; and so, perhaps the way forward for my structure of these blogs could be similar to how we’ve blogged in the past about Michael W. Smith, U2 and Bryan Adams? Anyway, I’ve decided to tackle someone completely unexpected this week (and probably not ordinarily in my preferences of musical genre); and after listening and ruminating on a number of songs in their discography over the past couple of weeks- can I say that pop band The Beach Boys is one of the most successful U.S. bands of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and deserves their place in this blog series, even though they’re still not my musical preference?
Yep, I’m going there. To a period where I wasn’t even alive and to a period when my dad wasn’t even a young man yet. The period of the 60’s and 70’s was when UK band The Beatles and Aussie group The Bee Gees (more on those two groups in future blogs!) were popular; and The Beach Boys were in direct competition to them. Comprising of Brian Wilson and his siblings Carl and Dennis (both deceased), as well as their cousin Mike Love, and good friends Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston; there’s only a handful of songs that I reckon The Beach Boys are famous for- of which I will write about all of them in this blog. You can read about The Beach Boys on Wikipedia (as well as the histories and life of Brian Wilson and Mike Love, two of the lead singers of the band); and though I won’t go into any detail about the lives of these influential musicians (because Wikipedia goes into great detail where I probably don’t have time to do that!), we can all see that there is currently no love lost between Love and Wilson– and The Beach Boys have their own share of drama to the max throughout the group recording albums.
Throughout their career, the group have recorded 29 albums, 11 live albums, 61 compilation albums, 12 video albums and 24 EP’s, as well as releasing 75 singles. It’d be crazy to talk about them all, because then we’d be here until next week. But I do want to say this right off the bat- aside from the cultural significance The Beach Boys have with their contribution to the California sound… their music isn’t all that deep and meaningful. Sure, there are a few songs here and there, and you might call me ignorant at me declaring that I wasn’t terribly wowed nor awed by the group’s music. But maybe it is because they are from a couple of generations above me, and the age difference means that it’s hard for me to ‘get into’ any songs pre-the 80’s. Perhaps that is true. Perhaps I didn’t give The Beach Boys a fair enough go and a fair enough listen. Maybe I was glossing over them because of the fact that a number of their songs are around the 2-minute mark. Maybe I just don’t resonate with the California sound because I’m not a beach goer and I don’t live in America. Whatever the case, I didn’t really connect with The Beach Boys as much as I thought that I would; however objectively I do see why these guys are famous and iconic in every sense of the word. I’m going to circle back near the end of this blog when talking more about Brian Wilson, the demons he faced, and why I believe the group has been at loggerheads for all this time. I will also speak briefly about their achievements as well. But before I get into that, and also delve into a number of their biggest hits (because, let’s face it, you all came to hear my thoughts on these songs!); can I give you all the ‘dry’ facts and figures? Instead of summarising it all… can I give you some direct quotes from Wikipedia? What good is summarising something that is already there that I can correctly reference? The Beach Boys have done a lot of good for music- and even if you cannot understand and see how they are relevant and relatable now, can you grasp and understand why they might be objectively brilliant and moving and needed for society today?
Now… if you have read that whole slab of information that Wikipedia has given you about the awards and the accolades presented to this group over the years… then well done! That’s most impressive, because these days we all have an attention span of about a few minutes. I mean- that’s a lot of information being dumped onto you, don’t you reckon? However, if you do read this above section word for word… you’ll find just how timeless these melodies from Brian, Mike and co. actually are. With their genres including baroque pop and avant-pop, some would say that The Beach Boys is one of the most successful US bands in the 60’s and 70’s. They’re famous for that ‘beach sound’ that has permeated through many of their tracks- a sunny, jovial, joyous, and happy disposition and attitude and outlook, which now I see as a mask fronted by all of the members to mask the hatred, they felt for each other; while on the whole their singles don’t seem to be that deep. The band, I felt when listening to their songs, had an atmosphere of being a ‘fun, upper-class band’, speaking about superficial issues and fun issues about going to the beach and hanging out and having fun. To me, songs from The Beatles and The Bee Gees are more meaningful, inspiring, poignant, and impacting, and I felt that those two bands have plenty of songs that stand the test of time. But for The Beach Boys… not so much. Even a casual fan I reckon would know Beatles or Bee Gees songs, but not so for The Beach Boys. Regardless though, the group’s legacy lives on in many ways. Pop singer Colbie Caillat’s entire discography feels like beach album after beach album after beach album (even if it’s not intentional!), while rock band Switchfoot’s name came from surfing and the beach, and they themselves wrote and recorded an album about surfing as well as a documentary. Alternative folk duo She & Him recently released a Brian Wilson tribute album (which we will review soon!), while pop trio Wilson Phillips released an album called Dedicated in 2012, where they honoured their musical parents, and covered songs from The Beach Boys and The Mamas And The Papas. The influence of The Beach Boys goes well beyond their heyday of the 60’s and the 70’s, even if we’re all not that connected nor enamoured with the beach sound; and even if they don’t seem that deep, we do have a number of timeless classics and inspirational songs that have stood the test of time.
According to band member Al Jardine in the excerpts of the interview above with Consequence; it seems as if this hatred and feud between Brian Wilson and Mike Love has run extremely deep. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how it started or why… but it’s probably two guys being petty and digging their heels in, with both not feeling like they need to say sorry to the other person (even though they both may have been in the wrong). The result is probably one of the most dramatic falling outs in music history; however not for a second could you guess there was animosity with the songs itself. And I guess that’s the measure of a good band, don’t you think? To be able to put all of your feelings and differences and issues at the door, and then record an album acting like you’re all best friends and chummy chummy? I mean sure, The Beach Boys were probably as fake as The Civil Wars were when Joy Williams and John Paul White were having their issues. But at least we have these timeless songs… isn’t the feeling you get from a song all that matters? Well maybe not all, but a good part of it, am I right?
Probably the most recognisable and impacting song from The Beach Boys, is “Good Vibrations”. I first heard this melody as a parody ad of sorts promoting the appliance store The Good Guys… and boy, was that ad catchy. I don’t think I visited the store because of the ad. But it was on TV all the time. That song dug into my ear and stayed there- and even now when I heard The Beach Boys’ original recording, I still hear the Good Guys ad. Clever marketing, don’t you think? As for the lyrics, they’re about the persona wanting to keep the ‘good vibrations’ going with his lover (is this a sexually explicit melody?), so lyrically it’s not that deep. But it is the musical composition of “Good Vibrations” that really makes this song iconic and important in popular culture- and it was essentially the song the defined these guys and made the world stand up and take notice of their popularity. The song has also been heavily referenced in popular culture; while many other songs referencing and promoting beach culture and the California sound also remind us why The Beach Boys are incredibly iconic and inspiring to us all even today.
“California Dreamin’”, originally by The Mamas And The Papas, is a powerful, and on-the-surface thought-provoking melody whereby the vocalists passionately sing about wishing that they was at the beach during winter and that they were present in California (I know, superficial lyrics, am I right?); while “Surfin’ USA” is again another ‘beach sound’ song that isn’t anything deep, except to shamelessly promote the act of surfing, and the act of going to the beach to have a good time. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, a song I heard in many Cadbury ads way back in the day, is a catchy pop ditty that speaks about everyone living together in harmony and peace and love (an inclusive song that feels like a track meant for the hippie crowd at Woodstock!); while this melody is relevant and relatable today- because don’t we all want to live together with no hurt or pain or suffering? Similar in theme to John Lennon’s “Imagine”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” allows us to imagine for a moment a place in the world where everyone doesn’t judge each other, and everyone loves each other for who they are. It’s a challenge for us to actively get to know our neighbours and to hang around with people that are different from us; and while this song could sound like a ‘pie in the sky blanket hope and prayer’, just to hope against hope for a ‘someday’ that may not ever occur, at the same time the real hope and prayer is that we should be able to actively make this song a reality someday- either we try very hard and succeed this side of eternity on Earth, or we try on Earth, but end up succeeding in Heaven, where we all will be living in harmony with Jesus anyway.
“Little Saint Nick”, a Christmas song that I have heard of but never attributed to Brian, Mike and co., is a fun melody where the group sing about Santa in a fun, cheerful and positive way; while “I Get Around”, though short, is still a fun classic, whereby the group passionately and earnestly relay that they would like to cruise around and drive around the street for fun. Obviously, this was a song early in the group’s career, and they’re teenagers at the time- these days, driving around for fun with no goal… would get old rather quickly. “Dance Dance Dance”, sad to say, isn’t particularly memorable either, with the group singing about dancing when they’re feeling down, sad, and unmotivated, concluding that dancing gets the spirits and the mood up (there is a message there, but it’s not a deep message!). “Help Me Rhonda”, a track where the persona wants to sleep with a girl called Rhonda to get over his heartbreak of his former girlfriend cheating on him and sleeping with another man, is a track that doesn’t have a positive message, but does speak about life and how situations can arise that can make you feel like garbage, but you have to make the best ‘lemonade’ out of the ‘lemons’ you are presented in life. “California Girls”, a profoundly dated, misogynistic, chauvinistic, and sexist melody, speaks about how the group think that ‘California girls’ are the best girls in the world (it’s certainly a song that will be frowned upon in today’s times!), while “I Can Hear Music” is a cover and one of the first songs that Brian wasn’t a part of in any way. It’s a nice simple song, but certainly not a song that I would call timeless by the way; while “Kokomo”, one of the group’s last ‘big’ singles, was an 80’s beach song that is indeed one of my favourites, and one of the songs that heavily played on the radio when I was a kid. It’s an insanely catchy song about chilling in the Caribbean, and as a summer jam, this is The Beach Boys at their finest, I firmly believe. The group reunited for an album in 2012 (that was fairly popular, but not really that ground-breaking!)… but if there is ONE song that you listen to from The Beach Boys, then it’d have to be “God Only Knows”.
“God Only Knows” is what I wholeheartedly believe to be The Beach Boys’ crowning achievement. Even though it didn’t rise up in the charts (partly because it was released as a ‘B-side’ rather than an official single); “God Only Knows” has gigantic staying power. Controversial at the time because it had the word ‘God’ in the song title, the song is timeless because of the fact that it has been covered so many times, and also because the lyrics are relatable and relevant for such a time as this. With the song being a pure love song, and a reminder to the persona’s lover that ‘…if you should ever leave me, though life would still go on believe me, the world could show nothing to me, so what good would living do me, God only knows what I’d be without you…’; “God Only Knows” is also a promise to the people in our lives that we hold dear- whether they be a romantic partner or a platonic friend or even immediate family. it’s a promise that they are special in our eyes and that we care about them an awful lot. It’s a declaration that we cannot live life without them, and it’s a song to build up all of our friends and family. An uplifter and an encourager as well; the melody has been covered by Pentatonix, Peter Hollens, Marc Martel, The Ten Tenors, John Legend & Cynthia Erivo, Jillian Edwards, Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams, She & Him, Derek Webb, Wilson Phillips, Jars Of Clay, Phil Keaggy, Elton John, Olivia Newton John and David Bowie to name a few- and just one watch or listen of any of these covers will remind you why this song is a legendary song that will still be in our rotation for a long while yet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQ_bDAgqVg
Jason Fine of The Rolling Stone- about Brian Wilson when filming his documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
Interview with Brian Wilson, 2006
As far as longevity goes, I reckon The Beach Boys are one of the most accomplished, iconic, and legendary bands, who are still touring and are active in some way. It’s an awesome and crazy achievement to still be present in the same industry as the band was during their inception in the 60’s. It’s a shame that Brian’s mental health took a toll, and it’s also a shame that Mike and Brian are still in the midst of this feud that seems to have no sign of stopping. I’ve actually read a lot of articles, and I do not know why these guys are fighting. Perhaps it’s over a trivial thing. Regardless, if Mike and Brian were able to bury the hatchet and forgive each other, as well as saying ‘I’m sorry’, years and years ago, instead of holding onto grudges and bitterness… could we possibly have gotten more albums and a much more impressive and influential band? Something to ponder over, that’s for sure. But these guys defined a whole generation, and even if you don’t resonate with any of the music, like myself; I firmly still believe that you can appreciate good art. The Beach Boys, with the songs like “God Only Knows”, “Kokomo”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Good Vibrations”, “I Can Hear Music”, “Little Saint Nick”, and “I Get Around”; is a prime example of a band who has stood the test of time, and a band that will always be remembered. The other month I wrote extensively about influence in my Robbie Williams blog post, and before that in my Tim McGraw blog post. Influence is a funny thing because what I consider influential, may not be according to you. But in this series, being iconic and legendary is a different kettle of fish, and The Beach Boys certainly fit the bill.
In this blog, I haven’t written about every single hit that The Beach Boys have recorded. I’ve written about some. But loads and loads of hit songs aren’t the point. The point, rather, is that this artist has shaped a generation in what they do. Sure, you all may disagree with me, and that’s fine. But if we still all resonate with “God Only Knows” even now, what is that saying? What is next for Brian, Mike, and the rest of the band? The future isn’t known, but maybe more albums? Brian has been steadily doing his solo material, as has Mike. Will a full-scale reunion happen, knowing the bad blood that still resides between the two? Unlikely… But you never know- they might surprise us and release something that doesn’t require much effort, like a Christmas album or an acoustic album. But if The Beach Boys hang up their boots; that’s more than ok, because like every other artist we’ve written about in this series; this pop group has earned his time in the spotlight and his time away from the spotlight. The Beach Boys as a band are iconic. Let us remember that all it takes is one song for you to make it; but it takes many more songs to convince everyone else that you’re not a one-hit wonder. The Beach Boys have done that, even if I haven’t written about every single song under the sun. “God Only Knows”, and other songs like “Good Vibrations”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Surfin USA” to name a few, when hearing it now, might sound basic. But shall we dive deeper into The Beach Boys and their discography because of these songs? Are those songs worth telling the world about and have The Beach Boys reached the highest of heights, even higher than ever? Are sales more important that storytelling and changing people’s lives? Can two people be humble to hear each other out, even if they disagree? Something to think about as we dwell upon one of the most prolific pop bands ever! One thing’s for sure though. I reckon we all need to watch Love & Mercy, don’t you think? The Beach Boys may not be your favourite band. I know that they’re not mine. But when you strip away all of your preconceptions of beach music and the California sound and what we think it means… all that remains is a band that has toiled and a band that has continued to stay relevant for all this time. Isn’t that something to celebrate?
Director Brent Wilson- about Brian Wilson when filming his documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road
Does The Beach Boys make the list for you all when you write your own ‘Iconic and Identity-Building Artists of All Time’ list? Is there any song (other than “God Only Knows”, “Good Vibrations”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “I Get Around”, “Little Saint Nick”, “Help Me Rhonda”, “Surfin’ USA”, “California Girls”, “I Can Hear Music”, “California Dreamin’”, and “Kokomo”) that has impacted you on your journey through life thus far, or even your walk with God? Let us know in the comments. Till next time!