BEACH BOYS - SURF’S UP

Released: November 29, 1971

Album: Surf's Up

"Surf's Up" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks at Wilson's home. Initially intended for the unfinished “Smile” album in 1967, it was later completed by Brian and Carl Wilson for the band's 1971 album, also titled Surf's Up. Wilson described it as a "masterpiece”, both he and Parks believed they had created something special, calling it a "song of freedom." The first public exposure of "Surf’s Up" came four years before its official release on the album. Its haunting and poetic nature reflects a sense of nostalgia, capturing the essence of the era and anticipating the decline of the 1960s even at its peak. Despite its significance and completion under Carl's supervision, the song was released as a single but did not chart.

"Surf's Up," while seemingly about surfing, actually symbolizes the Beach Boys' departure from their earlier image. The lyrics depict a man's spiritual awakening in a concert hall, highlighting the contrast between youthful innocence and the flaws of adult society. Van Dyke Parks may have been inspired by the social protests of the Vietnam War era. The line "Are you sleeping, Brother John?" alludes to the children's song "Frére Jacques," while the refrain "The child is father of the man" references a quote from William Wordsworth, emphasizing the connection between innocence and adulthood.

Mike Love expressed skepticism about some of Van Dyke Parks' lyrics for "Surf's Up," referring to them as "acid alliteration" and highlighting their abstract nature. In a 2008 interview he shared that when he asked Parks about the meaning of certain lyrics, Parks admitted he didn't know. 

Frank Holmes designed the cover artwork for the “Smile” album, creating illustrations inspired by the lyrics of "Surf's Up." One illustration, related to the line "Diamond necklace play the pawn," features an open jewelry box with a diamond necklace and chess pieces, symbolizing strategic choices in a whimsical context. His other illustration for "Two-step to lamp's light" interprets the phrase as a journey towards enlightenment, merging concepts of dance and discovery. Holmes incorporated personal memories and Americana themes into his artwork, reflecting his childhood experiences and the overarching themes of the “Smile” project.