Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1966
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
At a time when pop music tracks were knocked off in less than an hour, Brian Wilson, the mastermind behind the Beach Boys‘ intricate harmonies and rule-bending arrangements, was spending a lifetime crafting his next single release.
With Pet Sounds already in the can, Brian devoted his time to Good Vibrations with lyrics that harkened back to his mother’s comments about vibrations that were felt, yet not seen. Over a period of six months in four different studios Brian worked on the complex backing track for Good Vibrations.
Prominent in the mix was the eerie 1950’s science fiction sound of a theremin, an electronic instrument “played” by changing the position of one’s hands relative to two metal rods.
Near the end of the recording process, Brian’s cousin Mike Love finished the lyrics, then brother Carl Wilson laid down the lead vocal. On December 10th, 1966, Good Vibrations became the California boys third #1 single, and Brian’s crowning achievement on 45.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Brian Wilson
Lyrics Written by:
- Brian Wilson
- Mike Love
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).