by Scott Samuelson
One of my big regrets in life, the kind that tortures me at three in the morning, may not seem like a big deal when you first hear about it: I once said that I hated the Beach Boys.
In the wake of Brian Wilson’s death, I want to apologize for that vicious lie—though I’m afraid that my apology comes decades too late to the one person I really wish I could give it to.
The Beach Boys made the music that I first fell in love with. When I was a kid in the early 1980s, my family had only a handful of records and tapes. We rarely listened to music unless it happened to come from the TV. I wanted to try out a new pair of headphones and plugged them into the boombox that my mom and sisters used for their Jane Fonda workout. Because the Beach Boys compilation Endless Summer was lying around, it was what I stuck into the tape deck.
A few drumbeats—suddenly the glorious ahh-ahh-ahh-ahhs of “Don’t Worry, Baby”! Enchanted voices and swirling instruments appeared out of nowhere. It was the first time in my life that my mind was blown by music. Brian Wilson had unlocked the door where my soul was. Was I supposed to worry or not? I had no idea, but I was thrilled whenever the chorus cycled around. Immersed in the headphones, I rewound the tune and listened to it over and over.
“Little Deuce Coupe,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” “California Girls”—I came to adore every song on the album. “In My Room” was about just what I was feeling when I was listening to “In My Room.”
At the same time that I was falling in love with the Beach Boys, I started hanging out with a fourth-grade classmate of mine named Pammy. We’d spend all recess talking atop the monkey bars. The other kids began to taunt us about K-I-S-S-I-N-G. We were just nine years old. I had no idea what a romantic relationship would involve beyond chatting all recess. But our classmates weren’t wrong. She entered into that room inside me that the music of Brian Wilson had opened.
One day I peered into her eyes and said, “Have you ever heard any songs by the Beach Boys?” Little dimples formed in her cheeks, “I love the Beach Boys! My favorite album is Endless Summer!” She told me I should also check out the song “Good Vibrations,” which to me was an insider tip about a deep cut. I was in heaven. Read more »