BB tunes that deserve better lyrics?

[SufferingFools]

"In the Parkin' Lot."  Those harmonies are pretty sophisticated for the speed at which they're taken, but the lyric is mostly insubstantial... though, on the other hand, I do like the way the best vocal moment in the song matches up with "turnin' on the radio dial."  Great melody, too, with that descending line at the beginning and the little dipping semitones later on.  The slow parts that start and end the song are beautiful also.  An early "pocket symphony."


And some of the songs on Surf's Up are fine musically but have lyrical moments that are completely embarrassing.  
"To be cool with the water is the message of this song."  (clunk goes the sledgehammer)
"So hard to lift the jeweled scepter when the weight turns a smile to a frown."  Yes, "Long Promised Road" is beautiful, but I wouldn't play it for anybody with lyrics like that.
"America was stunned on May fourth, nineteen seven-dee/When rally turned to riot up at Kent State Universi-tee"... Mike, please just... don't.

[drbeachboy]

If you grew up in those times, the lyric to In The Parkin' Lot says a lot about  how life was at school in those times and a bit later on, especially if you lived out West. For the times I have lived through as a teenager, they are anything but insubstantial.

[Al Jardine: Pick Up Artist]

Old thread, but Celebrate the News. Sheesh.

[RangeRoverA1]

Who cares if some Beach Boys lyrics are 'bad'? Listen to the way they sing the words.

Affirmative nod. I esp. like the way the unfamiliar words/terms/places sound in songs like California Saga (congregation, Morro Bay, Salinas), Surf's Up, the car songs, Surfin' USA, Cabinessence etc. Or what's maybe my fave BBs line ever: "...They isolate their heads & stay in their safety zone". Sorta groovy.

So you guys who don't like their lyrics (especially the early ones), tell me what they should be about? American teens sing about American teenlife to American teens. I think that's pretty honest and alright, and the lyrics often paint a vivid picture of California youth's life in the early 60's. I wasn't there, but that's what I'm led to believe. Mike Love going Dylan or just waxing about love in general wouldn't have been the same. I think the lyrics (which I dearly love) are a big part of the BB's youthful and innocent charm.

As usual, you nailed it, Jukka.

[Gabo]

She Knows Me Too Well comes to mind.

[TimeToGetAlone]

For the most part, I really don't care about lyrics other than how they fit sonically (i.e. no awkward phrasing, unpleasant words).  But whatever little interest I have in lyrics, it would be those relating to human frailties and emotions, not a Californian experience.  That's where when it comes to content songs like Wouldn't It Be Nice ad In My Room work for me whereas with, say, California Girls I really don't pay attention to the lyrics.  Musically I obviously get a lot out of all of them.  Good lyrics can enhance a great song, but they would be hard-pressed to destroy one.

[Jay]

Don't Worry Baby  - get rid of the car stuff.

I've always liked the lyrics used in the version of Don't Worry Baby recorded by The Tokens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50sdk7df27s&hd=1

[dombanzai]

One that springs instantly to mind is Our Car Club, especially when compared to the Roger Christian co-written car tunes. No-one wrote hot rod lyrics like Roger – he could get all manner of car parts to rhyme and clearly knew his stuff about the mechanics of cars at the time, while Mike's effort in Our Car Club were pretty limp when compared to the likes of Little Deuce Coupe, Car Crazy Cutie and Cherry, Cherry Coupe.

For example:
part of Car Crazy Cutie:
She's hip to everything man from customs to rails
And axel grease imbedded 'neath her fingernails

part of Cherry Cherry Coupe:
Chrome reversed rims with whitewall slicks
And it turns a quarter mile in one oh six
Door handles are off but you know I'll never miss 'em
They open when I want with the solenoid system

Then compare to a couple of lines from Our Car Club:
We'll set a meet, and get a sponsor, and collect some dues
And you can bet that we'll have our jackets on wherever we cruise

There is just no comparison!


A lot of the late 70s era songs, especially from Love You and MIU album have questionable lyrics when you take into account most of the band members were in their mid-to-late 30s and were still singing about young girls...

[halblaineisgood]

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[Amanda Hart]

One that springs instantly to mind is Our Car Club, especially when compared to the Roger Christian co-written car tunes. No-one wrote hot rod lyrics like Roger – he could get all manner of car parts to rhyme and clearly knew his stuff about the mechanics of cars at the time, while Mike's effort in Our Car Club were pretty limp when compared to the likes of Little Deuce Coupe, Car Crazy Cutie and Cherry, Cherry Coupe.

For example:
part of Car Crazy Cutie:
She's hip to everything man from customs to rails
And axel grease imbedded 'neath her fingernails

part of Cherry Cherry Coupe:
Chrome reversed rims with whitewall slicks
And it turns a quarter mile in one oh six
Door handles are off but you know I'll never miss 'em
They open when I want with the solenoid system

Then compare to a couple of lines from Our Car Club:
We'll set a meet, and get a sponsor, and collect some dues
And you can bet that we'll have our jackets on wherever we cruise

There is just no comparison!

You're saying you wish that Roger Christian wrote the lyrics to Our Car Club? Starting from that title, Roger Christian would've written a better song? I do not understand. He would've more artfully explained it? Is that what you're sayin'? He was a man who actually belonged to car clubs, perhaps, and this is why he would've been able to more accurately describe everyday workings of a typical car club? I dunno...
I sort of like how  the lyrics are unselfconsciously plain-spoken. Like he explains what a car club is. for someone who might not know any better. Perhaps a true auto- aficionado like  Christian would've mucked it up by getting too sophisticated! He probably would've done a fine job, actually. I just don't see anything wrong with it,tbh.
 I enjoy dumb lyrics  - usually The BB's accompany their silly-ass lyrics with buoyant and spiritually-satisfying music.

For me, the lyrics to Our Car Club are perfect. This is who The Beach Boys are. Singing a groovy little song about a cool teenage subject - in the nerdiest way possible. Most bands would have lyrics about how their car club pulls in the most poon, how bad ass they look when they ride. Not our boys, they write about the administrative details of setting up the club without a hint of irony. I love that so much.

[runnersdialzero]

I can't believe David has a song called "Kustom Kar Klub". MY GOD.

[runnersdialzero]

Also:

"I can't picture you with him/his future looks awful dim!" in "Wendy" always makes me giggle. I can't imagine much time or thought was put into those lines. Understand, though, that I'm pretty forgiving of their early lyrics given the attitude of the day was "NOW NOW NOW NOW."

The "Help me find the key" lyric in "You're Still A Mystery" is a bit goofy as is, but having Al echo it with "GOTTA FIND THE KEY, NOW!!!" takes it over the top. It amuses me to the extent that I'm not sure I'd have preferred it be changed, though.

Might get punched for this, but "The love of my life/She left me one day/I cried when she said/'I don't feel the same way'" always felt lazy in an otherwise really great lyric, particularly the last two lines. Something about it feels forced or like it doesn't work so well, I guess. Just me, and it's not enough to ruin the song at all (same goes for the other examples, too).

[Quzi]

I can't believe David has a song called "Kustom Kar Klub". MY GOD.

He should have gone with Carl's suggestion of Kustom Fourwheeler Club.

[Quzi]

Also:

"I can't picture you with him/his future looks awful dim!" in "Wendy" always makes me giggle. I can't imagine much time or thought was put into those lines. Understand, though, that I'm pretty forgiving of their early lyrics given the attitude of the day was "NOW NOW NOW NOW."

I love this lyric. I wonder what makes the guy so sure on how the other dude's future is gonna pan out. "I did a clearance check on him, this man has led a life of sin!" "Have you seen his exam score? Well, you deserve a whole lot more!" "I learnt to read tarot cards, he's gonna tear your world apart!"