I too was uninterested in the Beach Boys, but as I matured, I was ready to hear them. I think hippies and country rockers missed out on some great albums.
Once I stumbled upon Feel Flows in a "most meaningful BB songs" I was hooked. I was sucking up the whole SMiLE story and it's the 1971 version of "Surf's Up" I listened to. Funny thing, I bought it on CD bundled with Sunflower which ends with "Cool Cool Water", a glorification of nature and after that "Don't go near the Water" rolls in. Quite ironic but fitting. Good things might be gone in no time.
The real problem with the album was the absence of Dennis Wilson in any significant way. While I admire Carl Wilson stepping in and taking over the biggest share of the production reins, his refusal to compromise with Dennis resulted in a weaker album. My ideal track listing, which I've posted on a few other videos, follows: SIDE 1 (17:23) Don't Go Near the Water / Long Promised Road / Disney Girls (1957) / 4th of July / Surf's Up SIDE 2 (17:15) Feel Flows / Lookin' at Tomorrow (A Welfare Song) / A Day in the Life of a Tree / 'Til I Die / (Wouldn't It Be Nice to) Live Again "Take a Load Off Your Feet" gets demoted to non-album B-side status, kind of like "Susie Cincinnati" had been for Sunflower. It's not bad, it's just not as brilliant as "4th of July" which takes its place on the first side. Mike Love may have been a great hook writer in his day but his rewrite of "Riot in Cell Block #9" was one of the worst things the Beach Boys ever did. Easily the low point of the post-Pet Sounds, pre-Endless Summer LPs. The problem with "Surf's Up" and "Live Again" is that they're both fantastic candidates for the final track on the album. Given the fact that Brian's brilliance really doesn't emerge on the album proper until the final trio of songs, I've moved "Surf's Up" to close out the first side and inserted "Live Again" to close out the second. Helps to keep the side lengths closer, highlights how important Brian truly was to the group earlier, and gives Dennis one song per side.
@Matthew Poloskey I can respect that change, I suppose. It doesn't upset the length of the fantasy album sides, does flow quite well after "Disney Girls", and is far better than "Student Demonstration Time". Of course, it would be missed on Holland but with the embarrassment of riches in the Beach Boys vault at that time, I'm sure what would have replaced it would have been great. Or, perhaps, they would have stuck "Student Demonstration Time" on Holland.
Sounds to me that Dennis was pretty hard headed about Surf's Up as well. It's my understanding that Carl wanted to include Dennis's songs, but Dennis didn't agree with the order of the songs on the album, so Dennis pulled them.
The reason (according to Jack Reiley) that Dennis' songs weren't included was because the Wilson brothers would've had too much share over of the album, and that would've lead to a bunch of infighting. This makes the most sense to me as 6 out of the 10 songs were written/co-written by a Wilson. Replacing Mike's one of two writing credits with a Dennis song would've caused some drama.
Now that we’ve got the Feel Flows boxset, we have a wealth of Dennis songs. So that means Side 1: 1. Don’t Go Near the Water 2. Long Promised Road 3. Behold the Night 4. Disney Girls (1957) 5. 4th of July Side 2: 6. Feel Flows 7. Barbara 8. Sweet and Bitter 9. Awake 10. A Day in the Life of a Tree 11. Wouldn’t It Be Nice to Live Again? Take a Load off Your Feet, Looking at Tomorrow and Til’ I Die are on my Sunflower double album, Surf’s Up is on my Smile version and Student Demonstration Time is cut for obvious reasons. This way we get songs exclusively taped for the album/in the time period and Dennis finally gets his time to shine, plus Mike gets more than one vocal
I felt the same way. I never understood why everywhere on the internet people were praising The Beach Boys. Then I heard All I wanna do from Sunflower. Pet sounds - surfs up, what a great run of albums.
I began exploring the Beach Boys after enjoying Pet Sounds effortlessly. This álbum naturally was added to my playlist after listening to Smiley Smile. Its one of their strongest, most sophisticated efforts with a blend of progressive rock and psychedelia. It is also their darkest álbum, the álbum cover already is already preview of the world you are transported to. Excellent review and i hope you review the other albums you mentioned like Sunflower and Holland.
Surfs Up is a Close second to Pet Sounds.There is an ecological protest and environmental feel about the Album.At first I didn’t think Students Demonstration fitted in but it does.The Album needed an aggressive raunchy Song like that which opened up a more melodic slower tempo that follows.My two Favs are Surfs a Up @ aTill I Die...
when I got this album I was 23 years old and newly married and I was a huge BB fan from the start. Pet Sounds set me back I didn't really care for it I still wanted song about surf and cars the typical Beach Boy record....I like Wild Honey but still no surf songs. their concerts were a mix of different sounds to new stuff and the old stuff ..then I got this album and it totally blew me away I could not believe what I was hearing. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS THE BEACH BOYS...then Holland came out and again I was blown away that was a great album. I saw them do a concert with the Holland music and it was great a good mix of old and new music.....I have seen many Beach Boys concerts over the year have taken my kids to their concerts, my grandkids know the music of the BB's..I wish that they would make new music again before its to late ....I am old
@@justinpuga3522 Not everything was wonderful. Racism, the Vietnam War, and far too many 'acid casualties'... and that is not even addressing the staggering impact of the Kennedy assassination still resonating in our minds. I had tickets to Woodstock. I also had a recording session to engineer in Boston. My choice was to keep my job. I've never regretted the decision as it was the day I also realized I no longer was a child.
The fact that this album had to be marketed as "It's safe to listen to the Beach Boys again" is sad, yet at the same time, they brought it upon themselves. It gave us this album, and Holland, which is a plus
@@chielwouterscw That's true. But in Europe their popularity never wanted. People in Europe kept liking them, whereas in the U.S., many people turned their noses up. Seems like the Europeans (and people in other places around the world) are less obsessed with liking something just because it's "cool" to like it...are less gas conscious.
@@chrisfreeman9960I think it's because the BBs had a very strong brand image which was based on surfing which became quintessentially American and reminiscent of another era. It was then harder for Americans to see them in any other way; the rupture would be too painful. The relative commercial failure of Pet Sounds shows that the US public would make it hard for the BBs to develop musically.
I bought surfs up when it came out in the UK in 1971. It struck me straight away as a young musician that this was something very special musically and conceptually. To me it elevated the Beach Boys to where their vocal skills were challenged by the compositions. Feel Flows and Surfs Up are masterpieces, and the imagery in the other songs just touches you where it should. Student Demonstration Time is about not staying silent. It doesn't suck. I was 17 in 1971 in England and I got it then, I still get it now. I still play " Until I Die " on my piano and sing along as best I can these days.
The early 70s were a fertile time for The Beach Boys. Brian was almost totally out of the picture, Carl was basically filling his shoes. Long Promised Road and Feel Flows show how much Carl had grown as a writer. Bruce is on record saying that he never brought "I Write The Songs" to the band because he thought Brian would change (ruin) it. The less said about Mike, the better. Brian, of course, wrote the two best songs on the album: Surf's Up, and Til I Die.
@@countof3everybodyOD Not if you remember that Surf's Up was written in 66 or 67 to be a part of the Smile project. I did say Brian was 'almost totally out of the picture' , almost being the defining term.
@@MIKELIN8 Brian Wilson wrote and contributed greatly to brilliant BB music in the 70s Even when Brian *was* out of the picture, he’d literally sometimes run down the stairs to add his input on certain recordings. Im really not sure what you’re trying to say? That some other BB had to flourish because of Brian’s relative absence? Yes But he was never fully out of the picture. Even if he were physically out of the picture, his spirit and genius would continue to loom large over everything the BB have ever done
I personally like the “Surf’s Up” song from the SMiLE sessions where Brian sings the whole thing, but its an amazing song either way. And i dont think the lyrics are nonsense like you said, i think its definitely poetry that might not have an exact meaning throughout the whole song but Van Dyke Parks who wrote the lyrics said the first line “A diamond necklace played the pawn, hand in hand some drummed along to a handsome mannered baton” was about poverty and the economic disparity in society.
The lyrics for the ORIGINAL (unreleased) Smile tracks were composed as a perspective on societal "progress". VanDyle Parks is an extraordinary lyricist. His images are exquisitely eclectic and layered -- like melodic musical phases. Consider his words as three-dimensional Haiku.
I believe it’s about aging… like ruined columns in domino rows… Surfs up… finished now… old alleys with lamplights… images of a time past… But then ones children come along and rejuvenate us… our children become the fathers to us men (and women)
Don't go near the water is not essentially telling you that going to the beach is bad, but that we need to keep the water clean so we can enjoy going to the beach.
what a video, im so glad im finally discovering beach boys video-essay content. it was actually a video like this that got me into the beach boys in the first place. keep it up, king
Surf up was meant to be on the SMiLE Album, but this project collapse leaving Brian Wilson with huge depression (Till I die, a day in a life of a Tree)
The early hits will always remain as America's greatest for that era. Brian and group grew with songs and spiritually as the years went by, with their music. Listen to "The Tree Song", it holds well today with all the pollution ,western fires ,and dwindling of water in the Western states.
Cool video! I feel that a lot of what this band did and particularly the run of albums from Pet Sounds to Surf's Up is very overlooked/underappreciated. They deserve much more recognition
Appreciate the analysis of each song on the album! Wish you could have played a portion of each song too as progressing through. Enjoyed watching the video!
Interesting commentary. I really like the songs “Surf’s Up,” “Long Promised Road,” & “Feel Flows. You made me think more about “Disney Girls, 1957” in a different way. The album is all over the place, but has great moments. Thanks.
Putting "Student Demonstration Time" as the last track of Side One is really saying, "This is Filler." They should have made it the second to last on Side One, so Disney Girls would have you in a reflective mood when you flip the disc. Look at how The Beatles put "Revolution No. 9" as second to last track of the White Album,, and put Sgt. Peppers (Reprise) just before Day in a Life, a song that makes you keep turning up the volume to hear the last bit of the final piano chord.
"Student Demonstration Time" was a re-working of the song "Riot in Cell Block Number 9" which had been part of the Beach Boys set list for quite some time. You know the old saying, change a word get a third - in this case, all the words. The song is not so much a demonstration song but advice to get the hell out of any student demonstrations because they're turning into riots.
The way I interpret the last song Surf's Up it's about class struggles, the worker class. At least in parts of it does, it's vage really. But the i belive it does have multiple story's/ topics to tell. I just haven't managed to interpret the rest yet, and i think goes for the most of us.
nice video. i really do enjoy surf's up. there's a couple hiccups (mainly student demonstration time), but songs like feel flows, long promised road, disney girls, and the last 3 tracks on the album are too great to pass up. feel flows might be my favorite beach boys song
This is my favorite Beach Boys album too, And one of my favorite albums of all time. Don't Go Near the Water is (as of writing this) my favorite beach boys song of all time. I love how gloomy it is but also how it has the old fashioned beach boys mixed with it too, talking about saving the water and stuff like that. Long Promised Road and Take a Load off your Feet are also amazing and catchy songs. And Disney girls is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. And although Student Demonstration Tume is definitely the low point of the album, I don't find it to be that bad. A Day in the Life of a Tree is a literal masterpiece and has all of these metaphors about the Beach Boys decline. Surfs up and Til I Die are also great. And all of this is without mentioning the amazing album cover which I currently have as my pfp on other platforms. And another thing that a lot of people don't talk about is the title, Surfs Up. A lot of people talk about how ironic it is that more of a dark album has a more lighthearted name. But what I think the Beach Boys meant by Surfs Up, is the same thing people mean when they say "Times Up", as in its over. Like the Surfing era of the Beach Boys is over. Amazing Album
This is the album that got me into the Beach Boys. It's a pity none of Dennis's songs on it. Anyone craving for another song on this album, listen to "(Wouldn't It Be Nice) To Live Again" - the song that should have replaced the demo song.
I've heard the Beach boys most of my life I was born in 1958 and was always interested in the Beatles... About 2010 I finally got burned out on the Beatles and all they were doing was rewrapping the same crap so I drove deeper into the Beach boys and man they did not disappoint! The cars in the surfing we're just fine when you hear the warmth of the Sun or Caroline no,don't worry baby. No wonder the Beatles got shook.
My first Beach Boys after buying the first two greatest hits album. I bought it , age 15 , my first Beach Boys bought as soon as it came out which I continued to do , to this day. This album has to be listened to with headphones to totally enjoy the recording.
It's cool to hear other's takes on this album, as true art speaks to us in different ways. To me, "Don't go near the water" sounds like it inspired many Weezer songs that became very popular and unique 3 decades later. Which makes it ahead of it's time.
I'm sure someone's mentioned this but Jack Rieley was a huge (positive) factor for Th Beach Boys at this time. "Long Promised Road" is a great example.
As you noted, there is filler on this album. However, when you're getting a couple of Brian's best and Carl's brilliant contributions it feels churlish to worry about lesser tracks. Nice review.
Surf’s up is absolutely fantastic. It still sounds like the familiar “surfin safari” or “Kokomo” Beach Boys most people know, but is warped into a more mature and jaded version of those times. Definitely tied with Pet Sounds as my favorite BB album.
Dear Bread and Water, I ADORE the Beach Boys and I've always felt 1968 - 1974 were their best. WHY? Because they matured and used their problems and challenges as inspiration, resulting in Dennis, Carl, Mike and even Bruce producing gems. Dennis and Carl in particular came out of the shadow of Brian. Dennis proved he was, in some ways, stronger in certain areas of music. And Carl, reflected his thoughtful and calm sea mindset. But, I had NEVER thought of "Surf's Up" in the way you described it. You're right. The irony? That same hey day they had said goodbye to and resulted in their best work, would come back and become both a commercial gold mine but also ruin their creative progress. It breaks my heart that they became a golden oldies band. I can understand PERFECTLY why Dennis and Carl were so unhappy. Here they were growing as a band and individuals.... yet now Mike wanted to stick to the safe easy money? And then there's the solo career Dennis could've had. I agree with Al when he said that if Dennis had cleaned up his act - he could've been a huge star in his own right. The Beach Boys was always a story of many contradictions. A influential Father who was very abusive BUT, at the same time, responsible for the same discipline and never give up mindset which would be so useful in hard times. A Mozart band leader who gave them their greatest highs but was, at times, a huge disadvantage. A strong family bond, which would hold them together at the same time as being the very thing which threatened to tear them apart. The Beach Boys were like the heavenly beaches and surf. But, also could become a huge storm. David
Great video. Surf's Up is my favorite Beach Boys album. I never understood the hostility toward "Student Demonstration Time". Sure, it's not a great song, and I do skip over it most times, but I've never found myself hating it like others do. Side note: for some reason your voice sounds so much like the late David Foster Wallace to me
THank you for this video. I have been obsessing over this album for the last few weeks- mainly the 2nd half. I appreciate your insight into these songs. But I have to admit I was let down with your comments (or lack there-of) of Surfs Up. That song has been the focal point of my obsession. I believe it to be profound. I find it to be about deconstructionism. For Brian, probably about his band and success. For me it is hitting home with the unravelling of our America and to a degree my faith in the traditional western Church and god. I relate to the character in the song. Anyway. Thank you.
Fascinating stuff, well done. With hindsight I see the album as a bit of mish-mash, that worked far better than all the post- pet sounds albums because it had 3 knock-out tracks on it. The others songs are really a credit to the production team, but they don't stand the test of time. By the way, did Van Dyke Parks write the lyrics for Surf's Up? It sounds like him.
Surf's Up is also my favorite BB album. My favorite song is the title track. I really don't care what its about. It is a superb piece of absolute music. Please listen to the excellent version on RU-vid by the Fendertones (their video shows a couple of the BBs singing along).
Amazing thing is, this album could have been even better than it was. Dennis Wilson wanted one of his songs to be the last track on the album. But Carl disagreed. Dennis ended up pulling his songs off the album. If weaker tracks like Take a Load off Your Feet and Student Demonstration Time were replaced with a couple of Dennis songs like Sound of Free, Lady or Wouldn't It Be Nice To Live Again, this may have been the best album ever! Arguably up there with Pet Sounds. Definitely their best without Brian in charge. However, I would have to give that nod to Holland or Sunflower.
I would throw "Surfin USA" out of the way to get to "Feel Flows"... Definitely share your opinion on this being one of their best albums, if not the best. Sunflower and this are basically the Beach Boys' "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" ... just all the band members artistically peaking at once and firing on all cylinders. Definitely agree that "Disney Girls (1957)" is a masterpiece and "Till I Die" is THE song that made me reconsider the Beach Boys and become a fan. Disagree that "Surfs Up" is nonsense, the lyrics are pretty closely related to the rise and fall of civilizations despite, and even often because of, the decadence of civilization itself... And ultimately it's about life and death, and rebirth. It originally functioned as the "death" part of Smile's second movement about the stages of life. It was partly written by Van Dyke Parks. But your insights are I think spot on overall.
The thing with this record is I find it funny that it comes after Sunflower. That record is so cheery and happy with songs like "Our Sweet Love" and "Forever". Anyway, this record reminds me of the 2nd half of Beach Boys Today! Both deal with similar themes of idealism, escapism, and in general, darker themes.
Holland, Wild Honey, & Surf's Up, and Denny's solo albums, Pacific Ocean Blue & the unfinished Bambu, prove that they could've been a very good straightforward pop rock n roll band, even without Brian. But they absofuknlutely should've given Brian the emotional & creative support to've finished SMiLE... WITH his collaborator Van Dyke Parks! Some say SMiLE would've bombed, & there's something to be said for that. But, I also think that a Cabin Essence/Wonderful 'double A-side' would've been just as well-received as Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields, & I believe that Surf's Up is every bit the equal of 'A Day in The Life.' Throw in the alternate version of Good Vibrations, the one w/the hum-de-dum' bit section left in, & you probably could've had a hit album... IF Capitol had given it the promotion is was due! Straight up!
I think there’s more of a back story. This record was assembled as The Beach Boys we’re on fumes. Many songs not by The Beach Boys and the performances were pulled together by session players and those willing and available. I read this somewhere in a historical recounting of the record.
A very self-important sounding review by a guy that seems to have little depth in his understanding of Brian and the boys, and the growth, depth and evolution of the Beach Boys as people and as musicians, not to mention their trials and tribulations. Surf's Up brought the Beach Boys from commercial and cultural oblivion and re-introduced them to the counter-culture. They worked hard to connect with audiences at colleges and universities. In fact my first Beach Boys concert was at Princeton, and I have to admit upon seeing them in person for the first time I was surprised at how awe-struck I was. They were cool, and their music was great. They had thrown out the striped shirts and white suits and finally allowed themselves to be themselves on stage. Surf's Up is the Beach Boys coming of age and well on the way to becoming the top touring band in the country. I don't completely disagree with everything he says (especially about Student Demonstration Time), and I agree this is one of my favorite Beach Boys albums too, but all due respect... forget this review. Just listen to the album and decide for yourself.
I agree that student demonstration time does not really fit on the album at all but I wouldn't say it sucks, thats a bit far. Its the black sheep of the album but its a fun little blues rocker, feels like a throwback to some of the 12 bar blues songs that inspired the group. All that being said I wish it was replaced with something more appropriate, I'd love to live in a world where this song and Deirdre from sunflower swapped places.
It's so nice to know that I'm not alone.in liking this.era.of.beach boys music. I just disagree.regarding Long Pro.used Road, I haven't read the lyrics so.maybe I'm missing g so.something g are.just in a.different place I life but I find the song to.be hopeful. While I hear you regarding Protest Song feeling like it missed the mark songs like Don't Go Near The Water and Trader demonstrate that the BB could successfully take on meatier topics.
Dennis Wilson's "Behold The Night" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice (To Live Again)" instead of "Take A Load Of Your Feet" and "Student Demonstration Time" and you'll have a perfect album.
I agree with some of your comments but from what I've read the meaning of Feel Flows was actually something erotic rather than drug related! I don't agree about the lyrics to Surf's Up (my favourite not just on the album but on ANY Beach Boys' album. There are quite a few meanings to be found - you have to look but it's worth it. Disney Girls is a pretty song - it's placement on the album was apt - end of the first side I believe. I wish they had included Dennis's Wouldn't It Be Nice to Live Again.
Pet Sounds is their best. However, Smile is interesting. It was taking Pet Sounds to another level. Mike Love wanted dopey songs about waves and cars and girls but you can only do so many of them. Brian wrote tunes about drive-ins and old loves in cars and girls on the beach and Pet Sounds and Smile were his efforts to stretch the band. If you listen to Brian’s version of Smile done in the 1990s with his own band and not The Beach Boys you hear he was going beyond Pet Sounds and way far away from Mike Love’s cars and girls songs. Smile is worth a listen. What would have happened had Mike Love not dragged the band down by insisting they always be commercial? We’ll never know.
how can it be your favorite album if you don't like one of the songs....I figured you need to love all of them....ps I hate student demonstration time too....mike love writing songs on his own was always horrible...
