The Beach Boys And My Life

[mr_oleary]

Hey guys, I've been on the boards for a bit but I wanted to share a story I never have before about my experience listening to the Beach Boys.

I have a vague recollection of listening to my mom's beach boys hits CD when I was 9 or 10 and going NUTS. I don't remember which collection it was but it had mostly early surf stuff and I would listen to it and dance a lot.

One day my sibling told me that it wasn't 'cool' to listen to the Beach Boys. They were out of fashion, and I would never make friends liking music like that. So being an idiot kid, I stopped completely.

Over the next ten years I played and studied music in school bands but was always frustrated with pop music. It just wasn't clever or spiritual enough. I liked the Beatles, but found modern music to be off-putting.

In my sophomore year in college, I listened to Pet Sounds and DEAR GOD IT WAS BLISS. I listened to that album obsessively, over and over, day after day, for almost 3 years. During that time I discovered SMiLE, Love You, and returned to the early stuff I remembered from my childhood and couldn't believe how beautiful, rich, complex, and spiritual it all was. 

I still listen to the Beach Boys nearly every day. I can't believe how the music I loved when I was a small kid still resonates with my soul to this day. The music of Brian is beautiful and magical, and I just wanted to share my story of coming to appreciate it.

[Lowbacca]

Hey guys, I've been on the boards for a bit but I wanted to share a story I never have before about my experience listening to the Beach Boys.

I have a vague recollection of listening to my mom's beach boys hits CD when I was 9 or 10 and going NUTS. I don't remember which collection it was but it had mostly early surf stuff and I would listen to it and dance a lot.

One day my sibling told me that it wasn't 'cool' to listen to the Beach Boys. They were out of fashion, and I would never make friends liking music like that. So being an idiot kid, I stopped completely.

Over the next ten years I played and studied music in school bands but was always frustrated with pop music. It just wasn't clever or spiritual enough. I liked the Beatles, but found modern music to be off-putting.

In my sophomore year in college, I listened to Pet Sounds and DEAR GOD IT WAS BLISS. I listened to that album obsessively, over and over, day after day, for almost 3 years. During that time I discovered SMiLE, Love You, and returned to the early stuff I remembered from my childhood and couldn't believe how beautiful, rich, complex, and spiritual it all was. 

I still listen to the Beach Boys nearly every day. I can't believe how the music I loved when I was a small kid still resonates with my soul to this day. The music of Brian is beautiful and magical, and I just wanted to share my story of coming to appreciate it.

A general 'life story' regarding BBs music that a lot of the folks here share. Welcome to the board!