- Growing the Beard: Today!, particularly on Side Two, is regarded by most Beach Boys fans as the album where Brian Wilson's songwriting and production first displayed the level of sophistication that would achieve full flower with Pet Sounds a year later.
- Harsher in Hindsight: "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)": Brian Wilson would divorce his wife Marilyn in 1979. He wouldn't love his wife for the rest of his life... (Slightly lessened by the fact they they are happily remarried to other people).
- The entire song paints a picture of youthful optimism for adulthood, but Brian faced much hardship for most of his adult life, including dealing with his abusive father Murry (who managed the band during their formative years), battling mental illness, languishing in depression due to the failure of his pet project SMiLE and the low sales and critical panning of its single "Heroes and Villains", dealing with substance abuse, and being taken advantage of by his abusive therapist Eugene Landy. Thankfully, his life would improve again after Landy was legally removed from his life.
- Spiritual Successor: Pet Sounds is this for Side Two of the album.
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