Posted on 03/07/2023 2:56:14 PM PST by nickcarraway
In 1961, the three Wilson brothers, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine came together to form a band, The Beach Boys. By mixing influences such as 1950s pop vocal groups, R&B and rock and roll, the band created an idiosyncratic summery sound, defined by lush vocal harmonies and a thematic focus on youth culture.
During the 1960s, the band released at least one album a year, becoming known for hits such as ‘Surfin’ USA’ and ‘Surfin’ Safari’. However, by 1966, bandleader Brian Wilson took complete control, creating what he referred to as a solo album in the form of Pet Sounds. Taking control of the production and composition almost entirely by himself, he threw a wide range of genres into the mix, from classical and jazz to avant-garde and doo-wop. The album spawned several of the band’s signature hits, including ‘God Only Knows’ and ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’.
The latter details a relationship between two young lovers, frustrated because their age prevents them from living a happy life together. Wilson sings, “And wouldn’t it be nice to live together/ In the kind of world where we belong?” In Wouldn’t it Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds by Charles Granata, Tony Asher, who co-wrote ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ explained: “It’s a song that people who are young and in love can appreciate and respond to because it revolves around the things they’ve always wanted to do: live together, sleep together, wake up together—do everything together.”
In The Dark Stuff: Selected Writings on Rock Music, Asher recalls how he’d be “in restaurants with [Wilson], and some young girl would inevitably walk in, and he’d almost melt, y’know. He’d get all misty-eyed and just stare at her, muttering on and on about, ‘Oh wow, she’s just so-o beautiful. Don’t you think…'” He explained that the song’s theme was helmed by Wilson, “The innocence of the situation — being too young to get married — seemed to be immensely appealing to him.”
Discussing the song’s instrumentals, Wilson said, “Listen for the rockin’ accordions and the ethereal guitars in the introduction. Tony and I had visualized a scene. We had a feeling in our hearts, like a vibration. We put it into music, and it found its way onto tape. We really felt good about that record.” By reflecting the childhood innocence of the song’s lyrics, this introduction makes for the perfect segue into the rest of the track, a song completed by the unforgettable doo-wop-inspired backing vocals.
In Granata’s book, Love revealed that the song took an excruciatingly long time to record. “We did one passage of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ close to 30 times—and some of the tries were nearly perfect! But Brian was looking for something more than the actual notes or the blend: he was reaching for something mystical—out of the range of hearing.”
The instrumentals were recorded at Gold Star Studios, and only the vocals were overdubbed. The song was played in a continuous take, and Wilson provided some of his musicians with instructions to play in different keys, attempting to achieve the perfect version over 21 different full instrumental takes.
After much gruelling hard work (Love nicknamed Wilson “Stalin” when he was working), the result was a pop masterpiece that has spoken to generations of music fans since. The dynamic layers of instrumentation create an emotive soundscape that drives home the lyrics’ nostalgic qualities. In the Pet Sounds liner notes, Asher reflected on the track’s themes, stating that he and Wilson “had the experience of being too young to have what the rest of the world would call a serious relationship with a girl and yet wanting to be able to have it taken seriously.” He continued, “It was autobiographical from the point of view of both of us. We were writing about what we both knew and had experienced.”
Wilson channelled his personal naivety and mixed it with his intense musical knowledge and dedication, and the result was ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ – one of the definitive hits of the 1960s.
Yeah….. but The Beach Boys neglected to have twerking dancers at their shows. Culturally deprived. /sarc
“Don’t Worry Baby” foreshadowed later brilliance, imho.
Definitely my favorite song of theirs.
Wouldn’t it be Nice is one of the greatest songs of the 60’s.
Geez I always thought it was a nod to several different songs from the 50s on the same subject.
It’s interesting to hear how much revision can be involved until a song is finished. Sounds like patience is key. Warmth of the sun is great as well...so many goodies from Brian.
Al Jardine sang lead vocals. He never got enough credit for what he brought to the band.
nkmk
Was it actually about a hetero couple?
Or maybe two people with alternate pronouns?
Asking for a friend...
A time of innocence. Then JFK was killed. Innocence gone-vacuum. The Beatles filled it.
???
Could not be improved upon.
I know...I love the Beach Boys.
Probably my first favorite band.
He did contribute a lot to the band, but sang lead on only a few songs, Help Me Rhonda being the only notable one. Brian Wilson and Mike Love were the main lead vocals.
Way too sappy for me. My son born in ‘87 loves them since he was little lol
For high school Senior Follies (’69), a group of us...4 guys and 4 girls...sang several songs. The girls sang a song; we all sang a second song; then us guys did a final song...the Beach Boys “409”. We nailed it.
The good old days...
Were you a tenor?
Peak-era Brian Wilson 1964-67... was there ever any more all-around talented overall musician? Someone who who could compose, sing, arrange & produce? The man was like a supernova of talent, so I guess it’s not surprising that he burned out. Not to say that he didn’t do some great stuff later on... because he did... but it was sporadic and not quite up to the standards that he set in the mid-’60s.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.