The Beach Boys- Surf's Up ('Are You Sleeping?')

This is a slideshow for my own fan-mix edit of The Beach Boys’ song ‘Surf’s Up’ featuring the lead vocal demo by Brian Wilson from 1966. On December 15, 1966, Brian Wilson recorded a piano and vocal demo for the song ‘Surf’s Up’. Some instrumental tracks had already been recorded earlier in November. The song was intended for inclusion on The Beach Boys’ legendary unfinished ‘Smile’ LP. Even though it was never completed in 1966 or 1967, a performance of the song with just Brian Wilson singing and accompanying himself on piano was presented on a TV special in April of 1967. In 1971, at the insistence of their new record label Warner Brothers, the song was finally completed with newly recorded sections and released, with a lead vocal by Carl Wilson, for the album ‘Surf’s Up’. Regarded as a masterpiece of songwriting by many, the song, maybe more than any other, has come to represent the lost promise of the ‘Smile’ project. Featuring finely crafted lyrics by Van Dyke Parks and one of Brian Wilson’s most singular melodies, there is truly nothing else like it that the Beach Boys ever recorded. Thanks to all the talented artists whose work presented here helps to bring a long ago era to life. Highest thanks to Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks for writing this stunning work of art, and all the talented musicians who helped in creating this magic. And of course, thanks to The Beach Boys Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston for their fantastic vocals.
Watch the Smile playlist for the entire album here:
• The Beach Boys- Smile-...

[@willharris3798]

a spirit lifting song. I was 15 when I saw Inside Pop. Since 1967 was nothing like the access we have today, that was it. Played once and gone. Van Dyke became important to me. Loved his work with Harpers Bizarre and enjoyed Song Cycle. Then he sorta disappeared into session work. All that changed when The Beach Boys put the finishing touches on "Surf's Up". Long after that, all the bits and pieces began trickling out into the world as we know it today. Folks started playing around with the parts... Summertime Blooz, I enjoy your videos and musical creations. Enjoyed this.

[@deepbreather]

Played once and gone. Lost and found. You still remain here.

[@lavenderbluemama953]

I'm 54 currently. Maybe 9 years ago now, I watched a 4 hour documentary about Brian, just because I couldn't sleep & l like music documentaries. I vaguely recalled he was a Beach Boy, but that was it. Prior to that, I only knew a few of The Beach Boys' hits & nothing about their story at all. That documentary sent me down the rabbit hole & I was hooked obsessively on most of what I heard since, but when I saw that video of Brian playing Surf's Up, I was absolutely mesmerized & have felt happily haunted by this song ever since. Brian Wilson, you've been haunting me from behind your candle-topped piano for 9 years! Much love, dear Brian.

[@summertime_blooz]

Thank you! And thanks for sharing your memories about this song from way back in the day.

[@UnderTheCovers1]

brilliant. The imagery really helps tell the story.

[@summertime_blooz]

Thanks for such a nice compliment! I'm so glad that you liked the pictures that were used to try and convey the feeling of the song.

[@davidsharp6392]

So simple & so complex. Brian at his best.

[@summertime_blooz]

It's a one of a kind Beach Boys song. So precious.

[@DanRopek-k4x]

Waves of beauty...

[@summertime_blooz]

Yes indeed!

[@ThereAreThoseWhoCallMeTim]

I’d be fascinated to see what you could with the relatively unknown Beach Boys song, “Loop de Loop (Flying in an Aeroplane)”. It’s such a ridiculously silly and childish, yet unbelievably catchy tune that was written by Al, Carl and Brian in the late 60s, recorded intermittently from 1969 to sometime in the early/mid 70s, and wasn’t released until 1998 as part of the Endless Harmony soundtrack. The overall sound is like a blend of SMiLE!, 20/20, Sunflower, and Holland. I honestly think that it was practically made to be used for a Summertime Blooz music video.

[@summertime_blooz]

Thanks for the suggestion! That's a nice tune. Currently I'm still remaking a lot of my old Smile videos. I haven't decided what I might do after that.

[@AprilShowers1955]

Easy to follow along with the lyrics with the awesome assortment of photos for visual aids. 😊❤

[@summertime_blooz]

Thanks for the nice comment!

[@lavenderbluemama953]

Beautifully done. Thank you.

[@summertime_blooz]

Thank you! Thanks for taking the time for your comments. Happy to see that you and others are liking the video. It's gratifying.

[@birdman9594]

As always, a banger!

[@summertime_blooz]

Thanks, birdman!

[@26rickg]

Wow............

[@summertime_blooz]

I think you liked the video.

[@26rickg]

@@summertime_blooz Yes indeed....never knew this version existed... sounds great....

[@summertime_blooz]

@26rickg That's my own edit. I'm always Happy to hear when people enjoy the videos. Thanks!

[@ChristopherElli-cc1ly]

Never understood why people have no idea what the lyrics are about. I always thought it was about an old man looking back sentimentaly at his youth. Does anybody have a different theory. i would like to hear them.

[@summertime_blooz]

i think that's a big part of it. The concert the man attends stirs memories of youth and affects him in it's aftermath. He becomes more aware of the societal ills all around him that he has been oblivious to. He makes the decision to try and cast away his selfishness and cynicism to be more kind and generous of spirit. Think Ebenezer Scrooge. The titles I gave to the first three movements in this video are from Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale Of Two Cities'.