The Beach Boys' success at promoting the themes of an American paradise and perpetual youth precluded them from growing up, lest America be forced to do so as well. For Brian, youth and paradise were primarily themes upon which to focus his songwriting. Dennis Wilson was fixated not with paradise, but with water, and it was water that eventually killed him.
Only Mike Love (the "oldest" Beach Boy in appearance, though not age) — bald at 25 — understood the nature of the Beach Boys appeal. His boyish personality and goofy onstage demeanor define the appeal of the Beach Boys for many people. The Beach Boys made a triumphant return to the stage (and through compilation albums) in the '70s with Mike Love out front, not fat, freaked-out Brian Wilson.
The Songs
"Surfin Safari" was the Beach Boys first national hit, released in the fall of 1962. Mike Love was the tour guide with a broken-nosed twang that millions of flatlanders interpreted as a "California accent." Mike Love was the spokesman for the Southern California paradise from the get-go.
The very first verse evokes California as a paradise, the kind of place where guys get up early in the morning and are so happy they sing. Beautiful girls accompany them to their "job," which is surfing. They love this job so much that they do it for free — it is untainted by the stench of commerce (kind of like blogging). Also, in the Beach Boys' version, the occupation is open to everyone, "Let's go surfin' now, everyone is learning how, come on a safari with me." This does not correspond well to reality.
The social structure of surfing is built upon the concept that not everyone can do it. It is difficult. It is physically demanding. It requires more time than golf to master. It requires great patience. It requires the ability to swim very well and it requires an ocean. If these impediments weren't enough to prevent "everyone" from surfing, then the open hostility of the "locals" to invading flatlanders, would be. The turf wars of surfers have been as intense, if not as deadly, as those of street gangs.
Even on the Boys' first hit, symbolism and metaphor superceded reality. Surfing wasn't a reality for the vast majority, it was a symbol of a magical ever-youthful place. Surfing brought good health through exercise and sea air. It brought popularity through its mastery. It brought success with the opposite sex, who were driven to hormonal overdrive by the sea air, surfing prowess, and lots of skin.
Article comments
1 - Matt Wardlaw
The Beach Boys remain one of my guilty pleasures, a band that my parents introduced me to when I was growing up. It's a shame that they are so wrapped in controversy at this point. Hopefully being in the same room (or on the same rooftop), will inspire healthy conversation.
2 - Eric Olsen
I don't think it has to be "guilty" Matt!
It would be cool if they all played together. I'm glad Brian has all this stuff going on, but it isn't the same without the energy and vocals of the others. Of course it will never really be the same without Dennis and especially Carl.
3 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Great overview, Eric, for this very un-guilty pleasure of mine. After "Pet Sounds" and "Today," "Beach Boys Love You" is a raggged favorite and the most consistent gem of an LP for me. Sure, they're well into their thirties and singing about a "roller skatin' child" and "honkin' down that gosh-darned highway" but it was pure, unabashed and melodic fun.
4 - Sam Jack
Didn't the Beach Boys appear in the Macy's Day Parade just recently? Or was that not all of them?
5 - Eric Olsen
it was probably two of them!
6 - Eric Olsen
and thanks Gordon! - my favorite is the lushest BB stuff, and Love You was a drier production but it's plenty tuneful, I agree
7 - Al Barger
Dear Leader, have I lost my mind, or did you manage to write a fairly lengthy history of the Beach Boys without so much as MENTIONING Pet Sounds?
8 - Eric Olsen
I guess I did - the focus was on the songs on the collection, and I am not the Pet Sounds fanatic that many are anyway. But still pretty glaring omission!
9 - Al Barger
Not particularly an addition to their fun in the sun thing, but let's put in a plug for the excellent Surf's Up album while we're at it.
10 - Joey
I have a better title for your piece.
"Surviving the Beachboys, who appear for the first time in a decade"
Just kidding.
11 - Rebecca
There are what, maybe 20 "Best of" Beach Boys compilations out there and I think "Sounds of Summer" is the best single disc one. It's been in my CD player a lot since its release.
I believe at one point there where two versions of the Beach Boys touring around the country. I had the displeasure of seeing a show in which Mike Love was on lead, (there may have been one other original beach boy) and John Stamos was the guest drummer! Very weird.
12 - godoggo
I've never been particularly into the Beach Boys, but just a couple of days ago I suddenly got "God Only Knows" having heard it on the radio a zillion times over the years. Christ, what a song! I will have to check out the Pet Sounds thingy.
13 - Eric Olsen
See, you CAN teach an old dog new ...
There is a purity to the best Beach Boys vocals - lead and choral -- that achieves the numenous
14 - Connie Phillips
Terrific career overview. I love the Beach Boys and this CD.
15 - Eric Olsen
thanks Connie!
16 - Tony Spears
I hope Brian stays away from Mike. No Carl or Dennis, no Beach Boys!
17 - David Neuman
Great recap. Wouldn't It Be Nice to see the Beach Boys play together just once more, perhaps with the next generation - many of whom, not only Wilson Phillips, also have their own bands. And by the way, Carl succumbed to brain cancer. No less tragic, but that's what it was. Events are held regulalry in Southern California in his name to raise money to fight this disease.
18 - Scott Butki
Eric, I think you might like to know that you - ok, your piece here on BB - has been
travelling with me in recent days. I've been carrying around your piece and my Beach
Boys collection cd (the one with the songs picked by Brian Wilson) so I can listen to
the songs while I read your thoughts about them.
There are little comments for each song on this version which is one reason I picked it.
You can count me as another convert to the B.B.
I blew them off as silly love songs about surfing but when I finally sat down and listened
to Pet Sounds it blew me away.
So thanks for the company and I'll come back and write some more after I find a spare
hour - in between my five part-time jobs - to read and listen.
p.s. but do you really like that Kokomo song?
19 - Scott Butki
I'n surprised you are not a big fan of Pet
Sounds. I think it's their best album.
Wht do you think of Smile? I got it last year.
20 - Amanda Miller
Hi,Bruce
I want you to stay 60's forever I need you to Be With me I been thinking about you I want to be together with you I saw you and Mike full house TV
Show love you Still I will see you again Concert at
Blioxi MS?
Amanda
21 - Forshorn
I really like this article, which captures the fantasy element of the Beach Boys and the essence of their appeal. Their songs took place in another world, somewhat like the show "Baywatch" (just kidding). The interesting thing, Eric, is that you must be one of Mike Love's few defenders by seeing the Loveian side of things. While I don't appreciate Love's litigious tendencies, he deserves more credit than people give him. He wrote those great lyrics to "Fun Fun Fun," worthy of Chuck Berry, and had that uniquely boyish Beach Boys' voice. Of course, "Pet Sounds" is a beautiful album and deserves to be mentioned; Brian Wilson is a wonderful songwriter. The word "genius" is overused. He wasn't Johann Sebastien Bach or somethin.
22 - Sam
I agree that all five Beach Boys deserve credit, but I think Mike kind of loses his by demanding it and continually crediting himself(most of the time) as the force behind what is America's Band. He is talented but taking most of the credit for a band that contained Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson is sticking your foot in your mouth.