Spreading The Beach Boys Gospel

[Amanda Hart]

I had a really refreshing experience as a fan this week. I've posted before about how I sometimes use a pretty late '60s Beach Boys heavy playlist in my Pilates classes (Don't worry BRI, my facility pays their BMI/ASCAP public use fees). I had two new students in my mid-day class on Monday, and one of them stayed after everyone else had cleared out to ask me about the music I used. We ended up chatting for about 20 minutes and basically, he's a causal fan who wants to dig a little deeper. We've been emailing back and forth now this week about it; him asking questions, me making recommendations.

It's been really great because helping someone discover something like Sunflower for the first time has made it all seem fresh again for me. It's so easy to get bogged down in all the uber-fan b.s and minutia, and I've been feeling pretty well over this whole everyone taking shots at each other in the press about touring thing. So, it's been really nice to get back into the things that really drew me in originally.

I wanted to post about this because I thought it might be a good reminder for everyone to step back and think about why we love this band so much, and to not be afraid to wear your fandom on your sleeve a little bit. It might help you get a little perspective and give you a chance to help someone else discover something and flex your nerd muscles too.

[ontor pertawst]

The best part is when they start to spell "Murry" correctly. Then you know it worked and can sit back and indulge in a maniacal evil laugh.

[DonnyL]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

[mr_oleary]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

THAT is bold. I'm even hesitant to show Love You to non-fans.

[Cabinessenceking]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

did they all sing along during the 'hey little, hey little, hey little tomboy' section?

[DonnyL]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

did they all sing along during the 'hey little, hey little, hey little tomboy' section?

no but i did ask for silence during this section. it was a hit !

[hypehat]

Haha... I'm always on the backfoot with my love of the band, so that'd be the LAST thing I'd put on at a party!

If it's a small gathering, you can't beat putting on Our Prayer - only a minute, and it is an instant 'ooh wow, that's great!'

[EgoHanger1966]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

Post back when you discover none of the people at your party are no longer your friends? 

"Our Prayer" is a stunner, though. "THAT'S The Beach Boys!?!?!?!"

[Don Malcolm]

I had a really refreshing experience as a fan this week. I've posted before about how I sometimes use a pretty late '60s Beach Boys heavy playlist in my Pilates classes (Don't worry BRI, my facility pays their BMI/ASCAP public use fees). I had two new students in my mid-day class on Monday, and one of them stayed after everyone else had cleared out to ask me about the music I used. We ended up chatting for about 20 minutes and basically, he's a causal fan who wants to dig a little deeper. We've been emailing back and forth now this week about it; him asking questions, me making recommendations.

It's been really great because helping someone discover something like Sunflower for the first time has made it all seem fresh again for me. It's so easy to get bogged down in all the uber-fan b.s and minutia, and I've been feeling pretty well over this whole everyone taking shots at each other in the press about touring thing. So, it's been really nice to get back into the things that really drew me in originally.

I wanted to post about this because I thought it might be a good reminder for everyone to step back and think about why we love this band so much, and to not be afraid to wear your fandom on your sleeve a little bit. It might help you get a little perspective and give you a chance to help someone else discover something and flex your nerd muscles too.

Great stuff, Amanda! I got my Radiant Radish T-shirt and have been enjoying the puzzled looks from those I've been encountering. About 2 in 5 inquire: it seems that 1 out of 2 are already positively disposed to the band, with the non-positives divided between a negative predisposition and simply not knowing who they are.

"Our Prayer" is lovely, but my "trump song" is and always has been "Sloop John B." The arrangement is so great, but at the same time relatively easy for anyone to follow, and the a capella part is a 90-95% dealmaker. "There's a lot more like this that you've probably never heard" is the follow-up line.

[Shady]

I had a really refreshing experience as a fan this week. I've posted before about how I sometimes use a pretty late '60s Beach Boys heavy playlist in my Pilates classes (Don't worry BRI, my facility pays their BMI/ASCAP public use fees). I had two new students in my mid-day class on Monday, and one of them stayed after everyone else had cleared out to ask me about the music I used. We ended up chatting for about 20 minutes and basically, he's a causal fan who wants to dig a little deeper. We've been emailing back and forth now this week about it; him asking questions, me making recommendations.

It's been really great because helping someone discover something like Sunflower for the first time has made it all seem fresh again for me. It's so easy to get bogged down in all the uber-fan b.s and minutia, and I've been feeling pretty well over this whole everyone taking shots at each other in the press about touring thing. So, it's been really nice to get back into the things that really drew me in originally.

I wanted to post about this because I thought it might be a good reminder for everyone to step back and think about why we love this band so much, and to not be afraid to wear your fandom on your sleeve a little bit. It might help you get a little perspective and give you a chance to help someone else discover something and flex your nerd muscles too.

Sunflower is an instant grabber. People always can't believe "slip on through" is The Beach Boys.

I love getting people into The Beach Boys, they're the greatest band of all time and if they can't dig it well that's their loss. I won't be losing sleep over it.

[grillo]

Hit em with Cabinessence, All I wanna Do, and I Just Wasn't Made (this is for the 40 and under crowd) and you can't lose!

[Micha]

I threw on the 'Adult Child' vinyl the other day at a little shindig and blew some minds.

THAT is bold. I'm even hesitant to show Love You to non-fans.

I'm even hesitant to play it for myself!

[drbeachboy]

I gave up trying to convert anyone years ago. Though, everyone that knows me or knows of me, knows of my love of The Beach Boys. If asked, I am more than pleased to play them anything that they might be interested in hearing. Forcing people to listen was always more of a turn-off than a turn-on.

[Amanda Hart]

I had All I Wanna Do and Cool, Cool Water on the playlist for that class, so that's why I suggested Sunflower. I also suggested Friends. I like to start class with Meant For You, because it's short and works really well for taking those first two or three lateral breaths to prepare for work. So, I thought those two albums would be a good launch point if he dug the stuff I played in class.

[drbeachboy]

I had All I Wanna Do and Cool, Cool Water on the playlist for that class, so that's why I suggested Sunflower. I also suggested Friends. I like to start class with Meant For You, because it's short and works really well for taking those first two or three lateral breaths to prepare for work. So, I thought those two albums would be a good launch point if he dug the stuff I played in class.

Very cool!

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I gave up trying to convert anyone years ago.

Yes, same here. It was my mission for awhile, but I no longer care.

My biggest success was turning Nigel from the band Dodgy (remember them? Probably not) onto the BBs. Though it didn't feel so good when they were playing Good Vibrations at Glastonbury and I was a kitchen porter 

[RangeRoverA1]

I had All I Wanna Do and Cool, Cool Water on the playlist for that class.

I can't imagine how it could work for getting the students be ready for studying. Both songs are rather sleepy by mood, so on the contrary they would make students doze off. At least, another restful tune - Meant for You - is short.

[Amanda Hart]

I had All I Wanna Do and Cool, Cool Water on the playlist for that class.

I can't imagine how it could work for getting the students be ready for studying. Both songs are rather sleepy by mood, so on the contrary they would make students doze off. At least, another restful tune - Meant for You - is short.

Pilates isn't like a traditional class with studying and bookwork. It's an exercise class with an emphasis on core work, breathing and making a mind-body connection. Those songs help create the atmosphere and pace I build the work on.

[ontor pertawst]

Great moments in communication, volume 646.

[RangeRoverA1]

2Amanda Hart: thanks for explanation! Admittedly, I know nothing regarding various names of classes such as Zuma, Pilates, Chumba & so on. It's all dark, unknown & complex stuff to me for understanding. But now that you've clarified it (about Pilates), it now makes sense why those songs were chosen. Must've been a jolly cool tranquil experience for students.