History AwesomeMusic / TheBeachBoys

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EehP2gNkNjk&t=2s "'Til I Die"]] is a beautiful, mystical and rather scary song, that is regarded as one of Brian's best songs from the '70s. Brian also says it is one of his favorite songs of his too.

* This is the Beach Boys album where Dennis really shines the most. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIwmIo8oKdM "Slip On Through"]] is often considered to be the greatest album opener the Beach Boys did, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43F2ULIq9Wc "It's About Time"]] (sung by Carl) is a well-made memorable rocker, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2_0OCOyI70 "Got to Know the Woman"]] is fun, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWk8lu2n_oo "Forever"]] became Dennis Wilson's {{signature song}} with the Beach Boys.

* This album kicks off with the Boys returning, quite successfully, to their old surf sound on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd7lx9rS_EE "Do It Again"]], a very strong EarWorm to boot.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIEaBIyYuM0 "I Can Hear Music"]] is a cover of a comparatively obscure Phil Spector production for The Ronettes that the Boys take to entirely on another level, to the point of CoveredUp. Flawlessly emulating the Wall of Sound while staying true to that Beach Boys sound, this shows Carl at his best with an unforgettable vocal performance.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCM4xXTk2Eo "Be With Me"]] is one of the most beautiful (and creepy) songs penned by Dennis Wilson, with a haunting coda added. His other songs are worth mentioning as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wEdG2xevio "All I Want to Do"]] (sung by Mike) is consistently described as one of the Beach Boys' heaviest songs, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-it4Xp1IrhU "Never Learn Not to Love"]] is notorious for being mainly written by the infamous Charles Manson.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEULqfbevOY "I Went to Sleep"]] is a pure Brian moment. A lazy lullaby in 3/4, it's evocative and funny, with restrained, almost inaudible harmonies.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjgPWfwPBTs "Our Prayer"]] was meant to be the opener for ''[=SMiLE=]'', a pure a cappella ''tour de force'' of just how refined and effortless their harmonies could be at their best. The complex chord pattern is one of those things only Brian could come up with.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3HAGm8fMOE "Cabinessence"]] is another ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnant, one of the few to be, more or less, fully completed, and thus presented in 1967-form here. Enriched with Van Dyke Parks' oblique, mystical lyrics, it paints an "aural portrait" of the settlers of the Old West. The complex "Who Ran the Iron Horse?" chorus manages to make the Boys' harmonies sound just like a speeding locomotive.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ayjmQQh9U0 "A Day in the Life of a Tree"]] is a simple but heartbreaking Brian composition, with a pained and broken vocal by then-manager Jack Rieley. In its own right, it's a great song of environmental consciousness, but some have posited that the lyrics could be equally applied to Brian himself, whose creative process and... life, basically, was about to hit a sudden stop, never to be quite the same again...

* This is the Beach Boys album where Dennis really shines the most. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIwmIo8oKdM "Slip On Through"]] is often considered to be the greatest album opener the Beach Boys did, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43F2ULIq9Wc "It's About Time"]] (sung by Carl) is a well-made memorable rocker, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2_0OCOyI70 "Got to Know the Woman"]] is fun, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsoni9eq6ak "Forever"]] became Dennis Wilson's signature song with the Beach Boys.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPe78FgI9ro "This Whole World"]] is a Brian song filled with a lot of love. It just crams ''so much music'' into its comparatively short time-span. Carl's passionate (no pun intended) lead vocal definitely brings it to another level, yet again. In its own way, it's sort of a segue into [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM6gobgbNrs "Add Some Music to Your Day"]], a universal statement about music and its omnipresence in life, with all the Boys (bar Dennis) being given at least one verse. Halfway through, the song modulates into what could easily be another entirely, and it's pure magic. Equally touching and funny ("ice cream carts!") it's definitely one of their most relatable songs.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmAqpRFGzRQ "Long Promised Road"]] is one of Carl Wilson's greatest compositions, very much displaying a sense of identity disparate from Brian's work. Empowering, self-affirming lyrics about overcoming the trials of a life's past, present, and future. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp_8GKcNvdQ "Feel Flows"]] is also worth mentioning, another brilliant Carl song.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xebFDxkpiIU "Disney Girls (1957)"]] is an unexpected moment of greatness from Bruce Johnston. Way ahead of the curve with the whole '50s nostalgia thing, it's a sentimental, heartfelt old-timey number that fits Bruce's voice perfectly. Brian has praised it for its chords and harmonies as well.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nSOS-ABOfY "Don't Go Near the Water"]] has a great environmental message.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyOYQ8qfFng "Surf's Up"]] is the last of the ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnants to be released for some time. One of the four originally envisioned centerpieces of ''[=SMiLE=]'', it's arguable that this album version is the best. With Carl and Brian sharing lead vocals (Brian's parts consisting of Brian's legendary solo demo), Van Dyke Parks' strange yet haunting lyrics shine through yet again. The song, and indeed, the album, ends on an absolutely massive vocal tag that captures the courageous grandiosity of ''[=SMiLE=]''.

* The title track, though not their first single, is really where the Boys found their sound. Mike's infectious vocal delivery and [[EarWorm ear-wormy]] ListSong lyrics, Carl's energetic surf guitar, and some nice harmonies make this one a classic.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3WJwrkPPS0 "Long Promised Road"]] is one of Carl Wilson's greatest compositions, very much displaying a sense of identity disparate from Brian's work. Empowering, self-affirming lyrics about overcoming the trials of a life's past, present, and future. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmVyJulnUkI "Feel Flows"]] is also worth mentioning, another brilliant Carl song.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZt7jjQqyoM "Disney Girls (1957)"]] is an unexpected moment of greatness from Bruce Johnston. Way ahead of the curve with the whole '50s nostalgia thing, it's a sentimental, heartfelt old-timey number that fits Bruce's voice perfectly.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_x56BIY2aE "A Day in the Life of a Tree"]] is a simple but heartbreaking Brian composition, with a pained and broken vocal by then-manager Jack Rieley. In its own right, it's a great song of environmental consciousness, but some have posited that the lyrics could be equally applied to Brian himself, whose creative process and... life, basically, was about to hit a sudden stop, never to be quite the same again...
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EehP2gNkNjk&t=2s "'Til I Die"]] is a beautiful, mystical and rather scary song, that is regarded as one of Brian's best songs from the 70's. Brian also says it is one of his favorite songs of his too.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNKeUYj4rzU "Surf's Up"]] is the last of the ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnants to be released for some time. One of the four originally envisioned centerpieces of ''[=SMiLE=]'', it's arguable that this album version is the best. With Carl and Brian sharing lead vocals (Brian's parts consisting of Brian's legendary solo demo), Van Dyke Parks' strange yet haunting lyrics shine through yet again. The song, and indeed, the album, ends on an absolutely massive vocal tag that captures the courageous grandiosity of ''[=SMiLE=]''.

* This is the Beach Boys album where Dennis really shines the most. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvlNn9mMBT4 "Slip On Through"]] is often considered to be the greatest album opener the Beach Boys did, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxSioVMZVs "It's About Time"]] (sung by Carl) is a well-made memorable rocker, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j78zs3wt65M "Got to Know the Woman"]] is fun, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZt7jjQqyoM "Forever"]] became Dennis Wilson's signature song with the Beach Boys.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kqtLbTHOSI "This Whole World"]] is a Brian song filled with a lot of love. It just crams ''so much music'' into its comparatively short time-span. Carl's passionate (no pun intended) lead vocal definitely brings it to another level, yet again. In its own way, it's sort of a segue into [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dsgu8igjwI "Add Some Music to Your Day"]], a universal statement about music and its omnipresence in life, with all the Boys (bar Dennis) being given at least one verse. Halfway through, the song modulates into what could easily be another entirely, and it's pure magic. Equally touching and funny ("ice cream carts!") it's definitely one of their most relatable songs.
* Bruce's melodramatic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLLha4_wRBc "Tears in the Morning"]], a lovely tune, scored with accordions and a brass band, is one of his best compositions.

* The title track, though not their first single, is really where the boys found their sound. Mike's infectious vocal delivery and [[EarWorm ear-wormy]] ListSong lyrics, Carl's energetic surf guitar, and some nice harmonies make this one a classic.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZt7jjQqyoM "Disney Girls (1957)"]] is an unexpected moment of greatness from Bruce Johnston. Way ahead of the curve with the whole '50s nostalgia thing, its a sentimental, heartfelt old-timey number that fits Bruce's voice perfectly.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vorbs0iXdH4 "God Only Knows"]] is often considered one of the best songs by the group, and of ALL TIME. Carl's beautiful melancholy vocal is a work of absolute beauty. The song has been praised from a variety of musicians including Music/PaulMcCartney, who called it his favorite song of all time, and took inspiration from its style for his own song "Here, There, and Everywhere".

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZt7jjQqyoM "Disney Girls (1957)"]] is an unexpected moment of greatness from Bruce Johnston. Way ahead of the curve with the whole '50s nostalgia thing, it's a sentimental, heartfelt old-timey number that fits Bruce's voice perfectly.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmukIaLIF8M "'Til I Die"]] is a beautiful, mystical and rather scary song, that is regarded as one of Brian's best songs from the 70's. Brian also says it is one of his favorite songs of his too.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfElDtjJJJo "Darlin'"]] is a classic up-tempo number that benefits greatly from a heartfelt and technically flawless vocal turn by Carl. It also inspired the name of a short-lived group started by Tomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, who would later become much more well-known under the name Music/DaftPunk.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kqtLbTHOSI "This Whole World"]] is a Brian song filled with a lot of love. It just crams ''so much music'' into its comparatively short time-span. Carl's passionate (no pun intended) lead vocal definitely brings it to another level, yet again. In its own way, it's sort of a segue into...
* ...[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dsgu8igjwI "Add Some Music to Your Day"]], a universal statement about music and its omnipresence in life, with all the Boys (bar Dennis) being given at least one verse. Halfway through, the song modulates into what could easily be another entirely, and it's pure magic. Equally touching and funny ("ice cream carts!") it's definitely one of their most relatable songs.

* Bruce's melancholy [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLLha4_wRBc "Tears in the Morning"]], a lovely tune, scored with accordions and a brass band, is one of his best compositions.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3WJwrkPPS0 "Long Promised Road"]] is one of Carl's greatest compositions, very much displaying a sense of identity disparate from Brian's work. Empowering, self-affirming lyrics about overcoming the trials of a life's past, present, and future. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmVyJulnUkI "Feel Flows"]] is also worth mentioning, another brilliant Carl song.

* Mike's resonant bass tones are the perfect anchor for the boys' take on "Louie, Louie": a great--if much cleaner-sounding--cover of The Kingsmen's proto-garage rock classic.

* "Shut Down" is one of the boys' premiere "car songs", deftly capturing the excitement of drag racing, and even moreso the forbidden pleasures of "tricking out" your ride. It would've made for a good single back in the day.

* "Surfin' U.S.A.". The melody might not be theirs, but it's hard to argue they didn't improve upon Music/ChuckBerry's original song ("Sweet Little Sixteen") in many ways. Built upon elements from "Surfin' Safari", this is perhaps their most enduring and iconic surfing song.
* "Shut Down" is extremely catchy and would have made a good single.
* "Lonely Sea" is often described as Brian's first uniquely "Brian" moment. Low-key and heartfelt, it perfectly encapsulates Brian's sense of melancholy.
* The band's rendition of "Misirlou" is pretty awesome.

* "The Warmth of the Sun", written on the night of UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy's assassination, is the subject of one of Mike Love's finest and uncharacteristic moments as a lyricist.
-->What good is the dawn / that grows into day? / The sunset at night / or living this way? / For I have the warmth of the sun / within me at night...

* "Keep an Eye on Summer" is another notable mention, even if it's overshadowed by the other two ballads off this album.
* "Fun, Fun, Fun", a great classic to open the album.

* The underrated "We'll Run Away" deserves a mention as well, and it shows Brian's softer side.

* Bruce's melodramatic [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLLha4_wRBc "Tears in the Morning"]], a lovely tune, scored with accordions and a brass band, is one of his best compositions.

* "Land Ahoy" and "Cindy Oh Cindy" are ''Surfin' Safari'' outtakes that are way better than most of the songs on the album. "Land Ahoy" was omitted at the last minute to include "Surfin'" which was licensed from another label, otherwise it might have found its way into the track-listing. As for "Cindy", it was a cover and they may not have wanted too many covers on the album.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LofTXvKsO-c "Good Vibrations"]] is most likely the first song to come to mind when people think about The Beach Boys. Not only was it a monster hit, but also one of the definitive singles of the '60s, if not of all time. Described as a "pocket symphony", it consists of many diverging sections that somehow, someway, fit together beautifully. Really, it's a microcosm of the spirit of ''[=SMiLE=]'' in and of itself. Featuring a fantastic lead vocal by Carl and apt use of the theremin (though technically, it's an Electro-Theremin), it might very well be the Beach Boys' most triumphant and dynamic moment.

* "Heroes and Villains" is one of Brian's undisputed experimental masterpieces. Built around a deceptively simple chord pattern, it stops and goes as it will, visiting a whole bunch of different eras of music on the way. Released in a bunch of different versions over the years that have become progressively closer to what Brian envisioned before it all fell apart, it's hard to argue that the 5-minute ''The Smile Sessions'' version isn't the definitive version of the song.
* "Wonderful" is a simple, clean, and innocent song about TheirFirstTime... that also contains one of Brian's most complex and wondrous chord patterns. Only one man in the universe can do 'em like this. Carl's serene vocals could get the point across with no words at all.
* "The Elements: Fire" is rather infamous for its troubled sessions, but when it comes down to it it's a clincher of a song. Brilliantly teetering on the cutting edge between cartoonishness and frightening psychedelia, it perfectly encapsulates the madness and horror of an all-consuming fire.

* "Little Bird" is one of Dennis' first shows of song-writing prowess, and his brother Brian contributes significantly to this song. Soulful, existential, and catchy are the key terms here. Parts of the song show clear inspiration from ''[=SMiLE=]''-era compositions.
* The album opener, "Meant for You", is absolutely beautiful, with Mike giving one of his best vocals. The song barely breaks 40 seconds but manages to be one of the most beautiful things they ever recorded.
* "Diamond Head" is a lush instrumental, similar in tone to "Little Pad", which perfectly captures the mellow feel of the ''Friends'' album.

* "You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone" is a great rocker that starts off this album, with excellent co-vocals from Carl and Blondie.
* "All This Is That" is regarded as one of the strongest songs in their discography that has little to no involvement from Brian. Credited to Al, Carl, and Mike, it's a cleverly-veiled tribute to transcendental meditation, practiced by a few band members, while remaining quite universal and applicable. As soothing as the peaceful images that the lyrics evoke, Carl's "jai guru dev" vocal tag is an absolute thing of beauty, his seldom-heard falsetto being a good match for Brian's in his vocal prime.

* "Sail On, Sailor" is a beautiful, mature song that showed The Beach Boys coming of age. Musically it sounds little like what they were known for, and is often mistaken for Music/NeilYoung, The Music/{{Eagles}} or early Music/SteelyDan.
* "The Trader" is consistently ranked as one of the best songs Carl ever wrote.

* "How She Boogalooed It" is an insanely catchy ThreeChordsAndTheTruth rock 'n' roll influenced song that predates {{punk rock}} in its speed, rhythm and simplicity. It is said to have been an influence on Music/TheB52s.
* "Aren't You Glad" has some really nice melodies and brass in it.
* "Let the Wind Blow" could easily be a ''Smile''-era song, with a haunting piano arrangement and wind-like vocals.

* "I Can Hear Music" is a cover of a comparatively obscure Phil Spector production for The Ronettes that the Boys take to entirely on another level, to the point of CoveredUp. Flawlessly emulating the Wall of Sound while staying true to that Beach Boys sound, this shows Carl at his best with an unforgettable vocal performance.
* "Be With Me" is one of the most beautiful (and creepy) songs penned by Dennis Wilson, with a haunting coda added. His other songs are worth mentioning as "All I Want to Do" (sung by Mike) is consistently described as one of the Beach Boys' heaviest songs, and "Never Learn Not to Love" is notorious for being mainly written by the infamous Charles Manson.
* "I Went to Sleep" is a pure Brian moment. A lazy lullaby in 3/4, it's evocative and funny, with restrained, almost inaudible harmonies.
* "Our Prayer" was meant to be the opener for ''[=SMiLE=]'', a pure a cappella ''tour de force'' of just how refined and effortless their harmonies could be at their best. The complex chord pattern is one of those things only Brian could come up with.
* "Cabinessence" is another ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnant, one of the few to be, more or less, fully completed, and thus presented in 1967-form here. Enriched with Van Dyke Parks' oblique, mystical lyrics, it paints an "aural portrait" of the settlers of the Old West. The complex "Who Ran the Iron Horse?" chorus manages to make the Boys' harmonies sound just like a speeding locomotive.

* "God Only Knows" is often considered one of the best songs by the group, and of ALL TIME. Carl's beautiful melancholy vocal is a work of absolute beauty. The song has been praised from a variety of musicians including Music/PaulMcCartney, who called it his favorite song of all time, and took inspiration from its style for his own song "Here, There, and Everywhere".

* "Little Pad" is a goofy yet lovable little musical "sketch" that fits right in with ''[=SMiLE=]'''s modular approach to song structure and generally wonderful strangeness. The close harmonies, blending in perfectly with some light slide guitar, is one of the most underrated vocal gifts the boys have bestowed upon us.
* "Good Vibrations" is most likely the first song to come to mind when people think about The Beach Boys. Not only was it a monster hit, but also one of the definitive singles of the '60s, if not of all time. Described as a "pocket symphony", it consists of many diverging sections that somehow, someway, fit together beautifully. Really, it's a microcosm of the spirit of ''[=SMiLE=]'' in and of itself. Featuring a fantastic lead vocal by Carl and apt use of the theremin (though technically, it's an Electro-Theremin), it might very well be the Beach Boys' most triumphant and dynamic moment.
* The album's rendition of "Wind Chimes" is often considered superior to the planned ''Music/{{SMiLE}}'' version. Sparse and intimate (yet not without an eerie, malicious undercurrent; though really, this could be said for the album its entirety), it really showcases the Boys' vocal versatility, indeed making them sound somewhat like an actual wind chime.

* "Wild Honey" and "Here Comes the Night" are both brilliant rock songs off this album, with the former being quite psychedelic as well.
* "Darlin'" is a classic up-tempo number that benefits greatly from a heartfelt and technically flawless vocal turn by Carl. It also inspired the name of a short-lived group started by Tomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, who would later become much more well-known under the name Music/DaftPunk.
* "How She Boogalooed It" is an insanely catchy ThreeChordsAndTheTruth rock n roll influenced song that predates punk rock in its speed, rhythm and simplicity. It is said to have been an influence on Music/TheB52s.

* The album opener, "Meant for You", is absolutely beautiful, with Mike giving one of his best vocals. The song barely breaks 40 seconds but manages to be one of the most beautiful things the boys ever recorded.

* This is the Beach Boys album where Dennis really shines the most. "Slip On Through" is often considered to be the greatest album opener the Beach Boys did, "It's About Time" (sung by Carl) is a well-made memorable rocker, "Got to Know the Woman" is fun, and "Forever" has become Dennis Wilson's signature song with the Beach Boys.
* "This Whole World" is a Brian song filled with a lot of love. It just crams ''so much music'' into its comparatively short time-span. Carl's passionate (no pun intended) lead vocal definitely brings it to another level, yet again. In its own way, it's sort of a segue into...
* ..."Add Some Music to Your Day", a universal statement about music and its omnipresence in life, with all the Boys (bar Dennis) being given at least one verse. Halfway through, the song modulates into what could easily be another entirely, and it's pure magic. Equally touching and funny ("ice cream carts!") it's definitely one of their most relatable songs.
* Bruce's melodramatic "Tears in the Morning", a lovely tune, scored with accordions and a brass band, is one of his best compositions.

* "Long Promised Road" is one of Carl's greatest compositions, very much displaying a sense of identity disparate from Brian's work. Empowering, self-affirming lyrics about overcoming the trials of a life's past, present, and future. "Feel Flows" is also worth mentioning, another brilliant Carl song.
* "Disney Girls (1957)" is an unexpected moment of greatness from Bruce Johnston. Way ahead of the curve with the whole '50s nostalgia thing, it's a sentimental, heartfelt old-timey number that fits Bruce's voice perfectly.
* "A Day in the Life of a Tree" is a simple but heartbreaking Brian composition, with a pained and broken vocal by then-manager Jack Rieley. In its own right, it's a great song of environmental consciousness, but some have posited that the lyrics could be equally applied to Brian himself, whose creative process and... life, basically, was about to hit a sudden stop, never to be quite the same again...
* "'Til I Die" is a beautiful, mystical and rather scary song, that is regarded as one of Brian's best songs from the 70's. Brian also says it is one of his favorite songs of his too.
* "Surf's Up" is the last of the ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnants to be released for some time. One of the four originally envisioned centerpieces of ''[=SMiLE=]'', it's arguable that this album version is the best. With Carl and Brian sharing lead vocals (Brian's parts consisting of Brian's legendary solo demo), Van Dyke Parks' strange yet haunting lyrics shine through yet again. The song, and indeed, the album, ends on an absolutely massive vocal tag that captures the courageous grandiosity of ''[=SMiLE=]''.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aoxFBVBzJ4 "Little Saint Nick"]] has become more or less a Christmas staple, with a fun TechnologyPorn lyric that boasts about Jolly Ol' Saint Nick's sleigh, all in inimitable Beach Boys ListSong format.

* "Little Saint Nick" has become more or less a Christmas staple, with a fun TechnologyPorn lyric that boasts about Jolly Ol' Saint Nick's sleigh, all in inimitable Beach Boys ListSong format.

* The album's rendition of "Wind Chimes" is often considered superior to the planned ''[=SMiLE=]'' version. Sparse and intimate (yet not without an eerie, malicious undercurrent; though really, this could be said for the album its entirety), it really showcases the Boys' vocal versatility, indeed making them sound somewhat like an actual wind chime.

* "Can't Wait Too Long", a five minute collage of harmonies that was issued as a bonus track on the ''Smiley Smile''/''Wild Honey'' twofer CD, is beautiful from start to finish.

* "Cabinessence" is another ''[=SMiLE=]'' remnant, one of the few to be, more or less, fully completed, and thus presented in 1967-form here. Enriched with Van Dyke Parks' oblique and mystical lyrics, it paints an "aural portrait" of the settlers of the Old West. The complex "Who Ran the Iron Horse?" chorus manages to make the Boys' harmonies sound just like a speeding locomotive.

* This is the Beach Boys album where Dennis really shines the most. "Slip On Through" is often considered to be the greatest album opener the Beach Boys did, "It's About Time" (sung by Carl) is a well-made memorable rocker, "Got to Know the Woman" is fun but weak, and "Forever" has gone on to becoming Dennis's signature song.

* Bruce's melodramatic "Tears in The Morning", a lovely tune, scored with accordions and a brass band, is one of his best compositions.

* "All This Is That" is regarded as one of the strongest songs in their discography that has little to no involvement from Brian. Credited to Al, Carl, and Mike, it's a cleverly-veiled tribute to transcendental meditation, practised by a few band members, while remaining quite universal and applicable. As soothing as the peaceful images that the lyrics evoke, Carl's "jai guru dev" vocal tag is an absolute thing of beauty, his seldom-heard falsetto being a good match for Brian's in his vocal prime.

* "Sail On Sailor" is a beautiful, mature song that showed The Beach Boys coming of age. Musically it sounds little like what they were known for, and is often mistaken for Music/NeilYoung, The Music/{{Eagles}} or early Music/SteelyDan.

* "Getcha Back" is usually praised as one of the best Beach Boys songs from the last 30 years, and it mixes the characteristic Beach Boys sound with the 1980's perfectly. The general opinion is that it should have been a much bigger single than it was.

* "I Do Love You" is a ballad written by Stevie Wonder that was given to the Beach Boys. It turned out to be one of the major highlights off this album.

* "Land Ahoy" and "Cindy Oh Cindy" are ''Surfin' Safari'' outtakes that are way better than most of the songs on the album. "Land Ahoy" was omitted at the last minute to include "Surfin'" which was licensed from another label, otherwise it might have found its way into the tracklisting. As for "Cindy", it was a cover and they may not have wanted too many covers on the album.

* "(Wouldn't It Be Nice To) Live Again" is another song that languished in the vaults for decades for various reasons, mostly political. Intended to be the original closer of the first side of ''Music/SurfsUp''; when it was vetoed mainly by Carl who had plans to put "Surf's Up" in that place. Dennis promptly refused to release it altogether. A pure and simple (and with Dennis' death, utterly heartbreaking) song of pure passion, it's on par with Brian's work, and arguably Dennis' greatest piece of work as a songwriter.
%%* "Soulful Old Man Sunshine".
%%Do not uncomment the above example without expanding it to explain what makes it awesome.

* "Good Vibrations" is most likely the first song to come to mind when people think about The Beach Boys. Not only was it a monster hit, but also one of the definitive singles of the '60s, if not of all time. Described as a "pocket symphony", it consists of many diverging sections that somehow, someway, fit together beautifully. Really, it's a microcosm of the spirit of ''[=SMiLE=]'' in and of itself. Featuring a fantastic lead vocal by Carl and apt use of the theremin (though technically, it's an Electro-Theremin), it might very well be The Beach Boys' most triumphant and dynamic moment.

* "Good Vibrations" is most likely the first song to come to mind when people think about The Beach Boys. Not only was it a monster hit, but also one of the definitive singles of the '60s, if not of all time. Described as a "pocket symphony", it consists of many diverging sections that somehow, someway, fit together beautifully. Really, it's a microcosm of the spirit of ''[=SMiLE=]'' in and of itself. Featuring a fantastic lead vocal by Carl and apt use of the theremin (though technically, it's a Tannerin), it might very well be The Beach Boys' most triumphant and dynamic moment.

* "Sail On Sailor" is a beautiful, mature song that showed The Beach Boys coming of age. Musically it sounds little like what they were known for, and is often mistaken for Neil Young, The Eagles or early Steely Dan.