Valentine's Day usually marks the one time of year when love seems to flourish and enrich our lives in ways that can stay with us forever. Whether the memories are created by a romantic dinner, marriage proposal, or even that very first candygram in grade school – Valentine's Day is a day associated with affection. The Beach Boys have written more than their fair share of beautiful ballads, some of which are so achingly beautiful they take on a deeply personal connection with the listener. With Valentine's Day being celebrated on February 14, I've culled together my top fourteen Beach Boys love songs, and why I think they make the perfect collection. The criteria: original songs written by The Beach Boys that are being sung directly to someone.
FOREVER (Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson) This song says it best, "I've been so happy loving you." This was Dennis' chance to open himself up and his heart through his music in ways that he might not be able to otherwise. With "Forever" you're seeing this vulnerable side of Dennis that heretofore had not been associated with him. So perfect and universal, "Forever" has become the perfect 'first dance' song at weddings, which honors Dennis' legacy and the quality of his songwriting. "I think Dennis' best song as a Beach Boy is probably 'Forever.' The lyrics: 'If the song I sing to you could fill your heart with joy I'd sing forever' ... I like those lyrics. [He should be remembered] as a great singer. — Brian Wilson
ALL I WANNA DO (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Say what you will about Mike's great lead vocals on all the early group hit records, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a more wistful and breathtaking recording by Mike. This song is pure 'Beach Boys gold.' The vocal and track are equally hauntingly beautiful, and the group's backing vocals trickle in a cushiony haze. When I look at all the Brian Wilson/Mike Love hit record collaborations, this stands at the top. It never topped any of the record charts, but it firmly cements the Sunflower album as a perfect example of music magic when Brian and Mike wrote together. I even hear a bit of Pet Sounds sprinkled into the track. It's easy to picture a couple walking hand in hand along the shore as the moon dips over the ocean's horizon. This song reminds us to cherish love. "The lyrics for 'All I Wanna Do' were heavily influenced by my (early) experience with Transcendental Meditation, and my vocal tone developed with the mood, feeling, and thought process that went into the creation of that song, and the chorus is really cool." — Mike Love
DON'T WORRY BABY (Brian Wilson/Roger Christian) If the drumbeat doesn't get you at the beginning, the soaring "ahhs" by the group will surely hook you in. The song is primetime Beach Boys in the 1960s and represents one of the earliest examples of Brian Wilson pushing the creative envelope to invoke a 'feel.' While at its heart this song is indeed rooted in a car race, the underlying message is not to worry because love conquers all. Brian's beautiful falsetto floats atop the music with an assuring affirmation while Mike Love, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson support him in a pillow-infused sonic blanket. And if you've ever seen the closing scene of the film Never Been Kissed, then you know all too well the power of this song. There isn't another like it anywhere. "With 'Don't Worry Baby' the lyrics are great, and the harmonies are phenomenal. I just loved – so much – singing the bass part, [sings] 'Now don't, now don't you worry baby.' I came up with that part in order to syncopate and add to the beat and the rhythm of the track. Brian's voice is utterly amazing! It's mind-blowing!!" — Mike Love
SURFER GIRL (Brian Wilson) This song is the first ballad Brian Wilson wrote. It was so personal to him that it took a bit for it to see an official release in 1963. Inspired by "When You Wish Upon A Star," Brian tapped into his feelings towards an old high school crush and developed the words around the surf idiom the group was known for. This set the stage for Brian as the eminent producer and arranger in popular music and it demonstrates the depth of Brian's innate ability to communicate through song. Lush and beautiful, and the perfect slow dance song, "Surfer Girl" remains among the group's most popular recordings and represents young love no matter who you are or where you live.
TIME TO GET ALONE (Brian Wilson) This song began with the basic track recorded on Thursday, Oct. 12, 1967, at The Beach Boys home studio located in Brian's Bellagio home...
WHERE I BELONG (Carl Wilson/Robert White-Johnson) I've always enjoyed The Beach Boys 1985 album...
PLEASE LET ME WONDER (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) The opening track for Side Two of the Today! album is truly one-of-a-kind...
WE'LL RUN AWAY (Brian Wilson/Gary Usher) There are love songs, and there are love songs. This song is pure Brian Wilson...
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE (Brian Wilson/Tony Asher/Mike Love) The quintessential and era-defining 'young love' song...
BABY BLUE (Dennis Wilson/Gregg Jakobson/Karen Lamm) When it comes to songs that involved Dennis and Carl Wilson something magical always happened...
GOD ONLY KNOWS (Brian Wilson/Tony Asher) Another gem from the Pet Sounds album...
KISS ME, BABY (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) Brian's opening 'aahhs' immediately conveys the feeling of longing...
LADY LYNDA (Alan Jardine/Ron Altbach) Opening and closing with a wink at Bach’s 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring,' this song represents Al Jardine at his most open and sincere...
CUDDLE UP (Dennis Wilson/Daryl Dragon) A truly beautiful 'let’s warm-up together by the fireside' recording...
Courtesy David M. Beard ©2013/2022. Read more articles like this by taking out a yearly subscription to Endless Summer Quarterly, or visit the ESQ Store for back issues of the magazine.
