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Last Active 11-10-19 11:08 pm
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| 20 Favorite Beach Boys songs
Now that the year is over, I realize no band has gotten me through it like the Beach Boys have. Love and Mercy was one of my favorite movies this year, and Brian Wilson's music has been the soundtrack of driving to college everyday. Here's a Brian Wilson tribute and some of the most touching music I've ever heard. | | 1 |  | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"God Only Knows" - No other song has moved me quite like "God Only Knows." As a fan, I am in dumbstruck awe of it. As an aspiring songwriter, I am obsessively searching to replicate its wonder. It's the perfect application of complex harmony that never detracts from the simple beauty of Tony Asher's lyrics. The arrangement is heaven's backdrop. The melody and harmony use dissonance to mirror every aching at the thought of life without someone dear. No part too fluffy…no part too distracting…every second just utterly breathtaking. The song peaks with a classical "round" that ebbs and wanes with the modulation of voices in counterpoint. Nothing is more beautiful. I'll let Sir Paul McCartney sum it up. "When I played it…it made me cry…and I don't quite know why…there's just something so deep in it."
The world could show nothing to me…so what good would living do me? | | 2 |  | The Beach Boys
Smiley Smile
"Good Vibrations" - Once every decade or so comes a song so revolutionary that music critics and artists "in the know" stop and point saying "this is what the kids should be listening to." If ever the kids were right all along, it would be in October 1966. This is where jazz, classical, and psychedelic avant-garde roll into one…chart-topping pop/rock record? It's cheery as a sunny day and catchy as an advertisement ditty. The theme of feeling dream-like elation couldn’t be expressed better than it is here. Have fun with those modulating harmonies, kids.
I'm picking up good vibrations. She's giving me the excitations. | | 3 | | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"Don't Talk" - This is to pop music what Debussy's “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” is to classical music. It's not the most extreme case of harmonic modulation…it just shows how gorgeous it can sound. Listen to these chords…most of them should never be played one after another. Yet it works, and it's unbelievably soothing.
Let's not think about tomorrow… | | 4 | | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" - Upbeat and hopeful, "Wouldn’t It Be Nice" is the ultimate teenage love song. Of course, Brian Wilson takes teen songs to the next level with surprising mood changes, deep horns, and a ritardando that signals the slowing down of wishful thinking with an honest confession.
You know it seems the more we talk about it…it only makes it worse to live without it…but let's talk about it. | | 5 |  | The Beach Boys
The Smile Sessions
"Surf's Up" - Surf's Up was unveiled to the public in April of 1967 through a televised piano performance by Brian Wilson. Leonard Bernstein comments, "too complex to get all of it the first time around…poetic, beautiful even in its obscurity, 'Surf’s Up' is one aspect of new things happening in pop music today." A Brian Wilson classic through and through, the first recording would not see the day of light till 1971, while the definitive Brian-lead version is on The Smile Sessions. The ultimate in post-California-sound melancholy.
A choke of grief heart hardened I, beyond belief, a broken man too tough to cry. | | 6 | | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"I Just Wasn't Made For These Times" - The culmination of Brian's autobiographic journey as a man who wants nothing more than to follow his passion of music. All this while those around him discourage him and want him to take the easy route. Oh, and it has the first use of theremin in a pop song along with a three part counterpoint chorus that ranks among their finest. All in a 3 minute album track from the greatest album of all time.
Every time I get the inspiration to go change things around, no one wants to help me look for places where new things might be found. | | 7 | | The Beach Boys
The Smile Sessions
"Heroes and Villains" - Jimi Hendrix said "Heroes and Villains" sounds like a "psychedelic barber-shop quartet." While that sounds pretty badass to me, it was meant as an insult. Unfortunately, the lukewarm reception to "Heroes and Villains" was a huge catalyst for the abandonment of Smile. This lead to Brian’s retreat from leading the Beach Boys headlong into the cutting edge of pop. Undoubtedly the greatest vocal harmony performance by the band, "Heroes and Villains" is what you'd get if Bach and Gershwin formed a rock band in the 50s. Originally a multi-part suit, the Smile Sessions version does the best job of capturing the old-west scenery Brian envisioned.
I’ve been in this town so long that back in the city I’ve been taken for lost and gone... | | 8 | | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"You Still Believe In Me" - This gentle ballad of unconditional love has one of the most striking melodies in the Beach Boys' catalogue. "You still believe in MEEEEEE," like what is that note doing there? Gosh, these melodies are so unconventional and yet so fantastic. It ends with cascading vocal harmonies that are like a waterfall of grace.
I try hard to be strong, but sometimes I fail myself. | | 9 |  | The Beach Boys
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
"California Girls" - I can't remember the first time I heard this song. All I remember is thinking "Those lyrics are terrible!" Yeah, yeah, yeah, Mike Love is the bane of us all. But never mind that…the music is pure bliss. The way the chorus keeps modulating down…and how every note on "GIRLS" is different…ugh…Brian outdid himself again. The feeling while singing along to this is song is almost like…spending your summer in California surrounded by girls in bikinis who all want to be your girlfriend. Okay Mike, we understand your perspective this time around.
I wish they all could be California girls. | | 10 |  | The Beach Boys
Today!
"When I Grow Up To Be a Man" - Released as a single in September of 1964, this is one of the most advanced Beach Boys songs Brian ever produced. First rock song to prominently use the harpsichord? What is that huge metallic twang sound? Almost sounds raga-ish. I absolutely love the age countdown. This song is the prime example of a genius growing up.
What will I be? Will I grow up to be a man? | | 11 |  | The Beach Boys
All Summer Long
"I Get Around" - Their first #1 hit, "I Get Around" is pure swag in the verses. The chorus showcases their defining counterpoint harmony with Brian's falsetto leading into uncharted territories (including a groovy half-step over the tonic note). You also get a hint of those warbling good vibrations that The Beach Boys would soon take to their limit.
'Round, 'round, get around…I get around. | | 12 |  | The Beach Boys
20/20
"Cabin Essence" - A Smile casualty that was eventually released on 20/20 in 1969, "Cabin Essence" is one of the most gloriously over-the-top Smile songs. Carl Wilson leads over bouncy verses complete with "doing-donings", banjo, and accordion only to slowly step down into a whirlwind of cellos and voices.
Over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield… | | 13 | | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
"Let's Go Away for Awhile" - Surf music was initially an instrumental genre until The Beach Boys hit the ground running. But Brian Wilson, of course, was determined to be the best in every area. With "Let’s Go Away for Awhile", Brian made an atmospheric masterpiece with a wide range of sparsely played instruments. The drums themselves don't keep the beat, but are instead used as accents. Once it kicks into 6/8 you know this isn't your average surf song. This predicts the future trend of rock instrumentals going away from the groove and towards texture and mood. | | 14 | | The Beach Boys
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
"Let Him Run Wild" - Probably the first example of the sound that Brian would use to create Pet Sounds. Deep instrumentation including horns and vibraphone settle into a strong beat but settle down into a contemplative refrain with a heartbeat. Summer Days was not a masterpiece, but a few tracks pointed straight towards the masterpiece to come.
And now that you don’t need him, well he can have his freedom. | | 15 | | The Beach Boys
Smiley Smile
"Fall Breaks and Back to Winter" This is the Smiley Smile version of "The Elements: Fire." It's short and to the point...the point being that The Beach Boys are now avant-garde as hell. Heavy organ plays under dissonant harmonies and sound effects. The original Smile version is definitely more powerful with explosive drumming and full orchestration, but this sparse version is no less unsettling. | | 16 |  | The Beach Boys
Shut Down Volume 2
"Don't Worry Baby" - Written as a musical and thematic response to "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes, "Don’t Worry Baby" showcases Brian's most moving falsetto lead. It's definitely a more melodically satisfying song than "Be My Baby," but Brian still had much to learn before he could top Phil Spector's wall-of-sound production.
Don't worry baby. Everything will turn out alright. | | 17 |  | The Beach Boys
Surf's Up
"Feel Flows" - John Wetton from King Crimson has said that Surf's Up is his favorite progressive rock album. Checking this song (and of course the title track), it doesn’t sound so crazy. Airy vocals lead to a jazzy flute solo weaving with piano and guitar and topped off with a spacey synthesizer.
Encasing, all embracing wreath of repose engulfs all the senses. | | 18 | | The Beach Boys
Today!
"In the Back of My Mind" - The lushest track on Today!, it is extremely introspective, dealing with the complexity of the mind and how it can hide away your fears. It tops off side 2 of Today!, which is definitely Brain's finest song cycle prior to Pet Sounds.
In the back of my mind I still have my fears. | | 19 | | The Beach Boys
The Smile Sessions
"Wind Chimes" - Brian Wilson is primarily a musical genius and often struggled with the lyrics. Wind Chimes is one of the few songs where the lyrics were written entirely by Brian. The verses portray a gentle breeze through a front porch filled with wind chimes, giving you the only place in your life that you find peace. This moment is pounded out by the bass-heavy crash of thoughts in a wordless chorus.
Close your eyes and lean back now, listen to wind chimes | | 20 |  | The Beach Boys
Surfer Girl
"In My Room" - Brian's first introspective song deals with the daily struggles faced by every California teen once they come home from surfing and living the dream. Still a little rhythmically rigid, it plays more like lullaby. Still, it showcases the band's vocal harmonies without many distractions. Brian’s falsetto harmony at the end is wonderful.
Do my crying and my sighing…laugh at yesterday. | |
Friday13th
12.18.15 | Enjoy winter break, ya'll. Gonna see Star Wars tonight w00t w00t hype hype | wtferrothorn
12.18.15 | pretty sweet list. I've only heard Pet Sounds, which of their records would you recommenced? | Muisc4Life26
12.18.15 | Yeah bro sweet list 1 is 1 for me too. | ArsMoriendi
12.18.15 | I've only heard Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile, Friends, and Smile Sessions.
Honestly, no matter what anyone says: Smiley Smile > Smile Sessions
List could use "She's Goin' Bald" and "Be Here in the Morning" and "Here Today", but good choices for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 13 | Friday13th
12.18.15 | @wtferrorthorn I suggest The Smile Sessions. If you want to hear the begginings of Pet Sounds there's Today! and Summer Days. They had good to great albums from '67-'71 with the best being Smiley Smile (re-recorded Smile material), Sunflower, and Surf's Up.
@Ars I could've fit every song from Pet Sounds, but I wanted variety. Friends is also great, but everything seems underdeveloped given the short length. | ArsMoriendi
12.18.15 | Oh yeah, Friends is super flawed, but "Be Here in the Morning" was a blatant standout for me. Smiley Smile is still my favorite and if I made a list like this it'd be filled with songs from it honestly... especially "She's Going Bald" and "With Me Tonight" | NorthernSkylark
12.18.15 | best bb songs = all of pet sounds | Friday13th
12.18.15 | @Ars yeah, "Busy Doing Nothing" is another good Friends song. Almost like progressive Bossa Nova. I can totally see why you dig "She's Going Bald" with the downright whimsical experimentation similar to Zappa.
@NorthernSkylark pretty much, but check more if you haven't. Some of it is surprisingly comparable if only a few choice cuts per album. | SgtPepper
12.18.15 | great list. do you like worms, lonely sea, surfin usa, and girl dont tell me would all make my 20, but top notch choices overall. also surfs up is 1 imo | Atari
12.18.15 | nice list. hoping to score pet sounds on vinyl for Christmas! | NorthernSkylark
12.18.15 | I have, this list lacks some more smile sessions :D | Ryus
12.18.15 | dude sweet ass top 4
glad to see don't talk that high | Friday13th
12.18.15 | Thanks guys, glad we have some Beach Boys fans around here. | DikkoZinner
12.18.15 | Good list. Prob 16 is 1 for me. | Alastor
12.18.15 | do you like worms? | TumsFestival
12.18.15 | needs more That's Not Me but damn 1, 4, 7, 8, and 16 are great picks | Jethro42
05.20.16 | I listened to your top 10. I only know and like very much ''Good Vibrations'' and ''California Girls''. It seems my ear is not shaped for their music. I'll have to listen to it again and try to see what I'm missing. Except for their clever vocal harmonies, I don't find anything special here. But it could change I guess. | Friday13th
05.20.16 | well it's a start haha
"Good Vibrations" is amazing | DominionMM1
05.20.16 | love me some surfin safari and sloop john b | Friday13th
05.20.16 | come on and safari
WITH MEEEE YEAH MEEEE |
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