Today marks singer/songwriter Brian Wilson’s 75th
birthday. As one of the main songwriter for the Beach
Boys, his work has had a huge impact on music culture, helping to
popularize the surf-rock sound of the 1960s.
Wilson has been credited with writing some of the most
iconic songs of all time. Known for his experimental approach to songwriting,
his compositions range from bright and cheery to intricate and arty, sometimes
all in one song.
Now, a new retrospective album spanning Brian Wilson’s
entire career has been announced. ‘Playback’ will feature 18 songs written over
the course of his career, focusing mostly on his solo work. The album will also
feature two brand new songs, a track titled “Run James Run,” written specifically
for the release, and one titled “Some Sweet Day,” written in the early 1990s
for an album that was never released. ‘Playback is set for release on September
22.
In honor of Wilson’s 75th birthday, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the most popular
songs written by the iconic musician. Here are his five highest-charting
contributions to the Beach Boys.
1.
“Good Vibrations”: One of the Beach Boys’ most
important and critically acclaimed songs of their career, Brian Wilson wrote “Good
Vibrations” in the midst of creating his magnum opus, ‘Pet Sounds.’ Wilson
tinkered with the song after the album’s release, experimenting with different
instruments and arrangements. The song was putting it out as a stand-alone
single and became the band’s biggest hit. Going platinum in the US, the single
reached number one in the US, the UK and Australia, and the top 10 in various
other countries.
2.
“I Get Around”: While “Good Vibrations” was the
band’s biggest single, it wasn’t their first brush with topping the charts. In
1964, the band released “I Get Around,” which was their first single to reach
number one in the US. The song features classic surf-rock harmonies, which
honor Wilson’s love of 50’s vocal groups.
3.
“Help Me Rhonda”: Though the track was
originally released on the band’s eighth album, ‘The Beach Boys Today!,’ in the
spring of 1965, it was actually the re-written version that was released as a
single. Doing so was a good idea, as the single gave the band their second
number one hit in two years.
4.
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”: “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is one of the
Beach Boys’ most iconic songs. Taking the melody of Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little
Sixteen,” Wilson combined that with completely original lyrics about the best
places to surf in the United States, mostly in California. The song reached
number 3 on the Billboard Charts, making it the band’s first song to crack the
top ten.
5.
“California Girls”: Another one of the Beach
Boys’ most iconic songs, “California Girls” was written as a care-free ode to
girls and the California sun. Written under the influence of LSD (Wilson’s
first experience with the drug) over the course of one day, it became an instant
classic. The song went to number three on the Billboard charts and became an
anthem for the band and the surf-rock sound in general.
Brian Wilson has written some of the most well-known songs
of the early-mid 1960s, popularizing the surf-rock sound and pushing it past
its boundaries. His compositions have gone on to top the charts several times,
helping the Beach Boys earn their place as rock icons.
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Catch the “Good Vibrations” at Vinyl Bay 777 and
vinylbay777.com. Find music from the Beach Boys and more at Long Island’s top
new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an
array of genres ranging from rock and pop to hip hop, R&B, jazz and
classical. Visit us in store or check us out online to browse a wide selection
of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. More
titles are being added to our selection all the time, so check back often to
see what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777.
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