Is it time to reappraise 15 Big Ones?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

It's creepy because you have a 35 year old man talking about making sweet love till the sun goes down with a teenage roller skating child and then doing EVEN MORE when her parents aren't around!!!!!

Just think about it!

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

and to top it off you have Mike singing it!

[drbeachboy]

So, am I creepy for singing along with it since its release? I turned 20 in 1977.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I wouldn't think so!

It's such a catchy song (my fave on the album)! How can you NOT sing along?

It's just when you stop to think about it that the creepy factor sets in!

So, just don't think about it and continue singing along! 

[Mr. Cohen]

Saying "RSC" is creepy is liking saying all of those Disney movies where balding adults write romances for 14-year-olds is creepy. It's just taking on a character.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Good point.

Maybe I just have a hard time separating the (very balding) guy singing it from the character in the song!

[adamghost]

Oh, "Rolling Skating Child" isn't so bad.  Three words:  "Summer Of Love."

People all around the world in every nation
Like to get together for some excitations
If you’re a girl appreciates her recreation
Why don’t you let me take you on a love vacation

Yeah I’ll take you to the movies
But I’m no fool (wah wah oooo)
First I’ll get you on the beach
Or in a swimming pool
Doing unto others is the golden rule
But doing it with you would be so
Very cool

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Everytime the weather starts to gettin’ hotter
Don’t worry about it toos your clothes and hit the water
We’ll be california dreaminin’ bay watchin’ everyday
Just off the malibu surfin’ u. s. a.

Now no girl ever wants to leave their
Love back home (wah wah oooo)
So if you miss him baby
Call him on the phone
But make it quick
We’re almost in a party zone

Cause summer days and nights
Aren’t meant to spend alone

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Now summer is a time when there’re no strings attached
But we could get together if you com on back
I’d like to tell you if it’s any satisfaction
You’ll always be my summer seasons main attraction

[The Heartical Don]

I never found their lyrics creepy. I would reserve this word for artists who write offensive texts in a self-conscious manner, really knowing what they are doing, to create some very naughty effect and generate money by working on the edge of what is acceptable.

I think our Boys are unique in the 'child-like' factor quotient. RSC no doubt was sung in earnest by Brian, a good love song like he wrote 'em so many in his younger years. He never thought: hey, I'm 35 now, I'm going to write a song about how difficult it is to find a decent job in modern society, or how the Japanese economy is quickly becoming the leader in the world.

IRCC, the Boys never got attacked by anyone in the media for the lyrical content in Love You, or Hey Little Tomboy for that matter.

The Knack got vilified in 1978 or so, because they weren't 18 anymore and sang about little girls. Now, I don't know their lyrics, but somehow I think that most people have a pretty good instinct when it comes to separating the well-intentioned from the perverse.

[phirnis]

I never found their lyrics creepy. I would reserve this word for artists who write offensive texts in a self-conscious manner, really knowing what they are doing, to create some very naughty effect and generate money by working on the edge of what is acceptable.
...

...which I think would still be fair game because we're talking about art (if I would personally enjoy such art is another question, I guess it depends). For some reason people working in the field of literature seem to get away with a lot more in terms of creepiness or overall transgression. Maybe we tend to connect a pop lyric writer's imagination to their own personal lives because pop music is meant to be direct and personal, whereas literature (or filmmaking, for that matter) is seen more as a means of intellectual exploration.

Re: "Roller Skating Child", this comes from a bunch of men slowly approaching middle age who still used to call themselves "The Beach Boys" at the time. Come to think of it, in concert these guys (including Brian) are still singing about going to school to this very day ("Girl Don't Tell", "Dance Dance Dance"). That's not creepy, but maybe it's a bit unfortunate. I don't mind it, though, and personally I think "Roller Skating Child" is a brilliant song, one of my personal favourites even.

[The Heartical Don]

I never found their lyrics creepy. I would reserve this word for artists who write offensive texts in a self-conscious manner, really knowing what they are doing, to create some very naughty effect and generate money by working on the edge of what is acceptable.
...

...which I think would still be fair game because we're talking about art (if I would personally enjoy such art is another question, I guess it depends). For some reason people working in the field of literature seem to get away with a lot more in terms of creepiness or overall transgression. Maybe we tend to connect a pop lyric writer's imagination to their own personal lives because pop music is meant to be direct and personal, whereas literature (or filmmaking, for that matter) is seen more as a means of intellectual exploration.

Re: "Roller Skating Child", this comes from a bunch of men slowly approaching middle age who still used to call themselves "The Beach Boys" at the time. Come to think of it, in concert these guys (including Brian) are still singing about going to school to this very day ("Girl Don't Tell", "Dance Dance Dance"). That's not creepy, but maybe it's a bit unfortunate. I don't mind it, though, and personally I think "Roller Skating Child" is a brilliant song, one of my personal favourites even.

Well put. As a fan, I tend to be very lenient towards the Beach, so to speak... but that aside, I see them as quite a naïve group of musicians, more naïve than most of their colleagues. Take Chuck Berry, I'd have more trouble hearing him sing the praises of girls aged 16; because in his personal life he pulled quite a few dirty stunts.

What constitutes an 'adult song'? I played Bruce Springsteen's 'Reno' yesterday, and it struck me how daring it actually is; it paints a Carver-esque picture of melancholy adulthood. I think few major stars ever did something like this. Compared to it, the Rolling Stones' running gag/obsession with dirty, dirt and sex, nightlife, decadence, decay, and drugs is mere sensationalism to me, and very boring sensationalism at that.

[Loaf]

Oh, "Rolling Skating Child" isn't so bad.  Three words:  "Summer Of Love."

People all around the world in every nation
Like to get together for some excitations
If you’re a girl appreciates her recreation
Why don’t you let me take you on a love vacation

Yeah I’ll take you to the movies
But I’m no fool (wah wah oooo)
First I’ll get you on the beach
Or in a swimming pool
Doing unto others is the golden rule
But doing it with you would be so
Very cool

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Everytime the weather starts to gettin’ hotter
Don’t worry about it toos your clothes and hit the water
We’ll be california dreaminin’ bay watchin’ everyday
Just off the malibu surfin’ u. s. a.

Now no girl ever wants to leave their
Love back home (wah wah oooo)
So if you miss him baby
Call him on the phone
But make it quick
We’re almost in a party zone

Cause summer days and nights
Aren’t meant to spend alone

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Now summer is a time when there’re no strings attached
But we could get together if you com on back
I’d like to tell you if it’s any satisfaction
You’ll always be my summer seasons main attraction

Jesus Christ that's sh*t. It sounds bad to listen to but reading it is even worse. I guess he used 'girl' because 'mature woman' didn't scan.

I can't believe that came from the same guy who wrote the zen poetry of the Wild Honey LP. If Mike had died after the Sunflower LP came out, his reputation would be much greater.

[The Heartical Don]

Oh, "Rolling Skating Child" isn't so bad.  Three words:  "Summer Of Love."

People all around the world in every nation
Like to get together for some excitations
If you’re a girl appreciates her recreation
Why don’t you let me take you on a love vacation

Yeah I’ll take you to the movies
But I’m no fool (wah wah oooo)
First I’ll get you on the beach
Or in a swimming pool
Doing unto others is the golden rule
But doing it with you would be so
Very cool

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Everytime the weather starts to gettin’ hotter
Don’t worry about it toos your clothes and hit the water
We’ll be california dreaminin’ bay watchin’ everyday
Just off the malibu surfin’ u. s. a.

Now no girl ever wants to leave their
Love back home (wah wah oooo)
So if you miss him baby
Call him on the phone
But make it quick
We’re almost in a party zone

Cause summer days and nights
Aren’t meant to spend alone

Girls are always ready for a summer of love
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (girls are always ready)
Girls are always ready for a summer of love (sum sum summer summer of love)
Goin’ out and lookin’ for love (sum sum summer summer of love)

I can’t wait til summer (yeah)
Cause it’s gonna be a summer of love
Hey now (well it’s a love thing)

Now summer is a time when there’re no strings attached
But we could get together if you com on back
I’d like to tell you if it’s any satisfaction
You’ll always be my summer seasons main attraction

Jesus Christ that's merda. It sounds bad to listen to but reading it is even worse. I guess he used 'girl' because 'mature woman' didn't scan.

I can't believe that came from the same guy who wrote the zen poetry of the Wild Honey LP. If Mike had died after the Sunflower LP came out, his reputation would be much greater.

I read it in full for the first time just now. Shameful, really. Embarrassing to the n-th degree.

[smile-holland]

no, Heartical, this is naïve at most, but not shameful, embarrassing, or creepy...




 

[The Heartical Don]

no, Heartical, this is naïve at most, but not shameful, embarrassing, or creepy...




 

  you got me there, I guess. Caught in the web of my own words...

[bgas]

no, Heartical, this is naïve at most, but not shameful, embarrassing, or creepy...

 

NO, I think Shameful is the word; at least as to Mike's lyrics.
I hear all this crap about HLT and how it's so bad coming from an "old" Brian;
well,  here's an even older Mike writing about young girls come take your clothes off and have sex with me, and this is Naive? 

Wow.   

[Mr. Cohen]

I don't see how Mike's lyrics are creepy. Terrible? Yes. But creepy? No. Just because he uses the word "girl", that doesn't make it pedophiliac. He never explicitly sings about younger girls in the song. I think he was just trying to make something different age groups could appreciate. Which he failed at because he's lame, not because he's a creep. Mike has always been a youthful, attractive stud.

[Smilin Ed H]

How old was Mike when he wrote that?  I wonder if you'll still be getting the horn for young women at that age.

How come Randy Newman, Eminem and Fagen and Becker (Cousin Dupree, anyone?) write in character and everyone gets it, but you make the assumption that 30-odd year-old Brian still lusts after 15 year-olds?

[adamghost]

It's a fair point, but I think if you watch the video for "Summer Of Love" you'll come away with the impression that Mike isn't acting.

BTW, it is possible for middle-aged musicians to pull in the young ones.  Just ask Steven Tyler!

[smile-holland]

no, Heartical, this is naïve at most, but not shameful, embarrassing, or creepy...

 

NO, I think Shameful is the word; at least as to Mike's lyrics.
I hear all this crap about HLT and how it's so bad coming from an "old" Brian;
well,  here's an even older Mike writing about young girls come take your clothes off and have sex with me, and this is Naive? 

Wow.   

@ bgas: Maybe I should have used even more smileys to emphasize the fact that I was just kidding.....  just quoting a word ("naïve") that the Heartical Don used earlier in this discussion.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I think Mike lives and has lived such lyrics..... Lyrical lameness or not.

I have a friend who lives in Santa Barbara and says Mike can be seen often cruising around town with young(er) ladies in his convertible!

We're all just jealous 

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think Mike lives and has lived such lyrics..... Lyrical lameness or not.

I have a friend who lives in Santa Barbara and says Mike can be seen often cruising around town with young(er) ladies in his convertible!

We're all just jealous 

Really ? His main residence is Incline Village, Nevada. The Mesa Lane property was sold years ago.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

This was a couple of years ago at least that he told me this!

[Myk Luhv]

To be fair to Randy Newman, most people don't understand he's writing in character. Remember the controversy over "Short People"? That song wasn't even one of his more subtle satires.... The reason people assume The Beach Boys do not write in character is because, quite simply, they do not. There is no precedent to think that this is something any of them do either -- that is, they've never said or even implied as much. Plus, I mean, Brian did start going out with Marilyn when she was, what, 14 and he 20-something? Creepy.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

And he DID pretty much live with her at her parents house, right?

Perhaps the lyrics to Roller Skating Child really are autobiographical!!!!

[Jon Stebbins]

There's no getting around the creepiness of RSC because the TITLE has the word CHILD. The whole song is about how hot she is, and what he's gonna do when her "mom's not around"...and she's a CHILD according to the song's TITLE. Absolutely creepy. BTW I do think its the best potential single on the LP because of the great beat and the great chorus...but with those lyrics and that title...no chance. I mean I like the song, i really do...but its f'n embarrassing and pedophile lyric material, no doubt. Such is the case with much of the late '70's Beach Boys material...as you are cringing, or blushing, or vomiting...you are also often tapping your foot and singing along. Weird times.