Good Vibrations

About Good Vibrations

"Good Vibrations" is a song composed by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys, of which both were members. Released on October 10, 1966, the single was an immediate critical and commercial hit, topping record charts in several countries including the US and UK. Characterized by its complex soundscapes, episodic structure and subversions of pop music formula, it was the costliest single ever recorded at the time of its release. "Good Vibrations" later became widely acclaimed as one of the finest and most important works of the rock era. Also produced by Wilson, the title derived from his fascination with cosmic vibrations, as his mother would tell him as a child that dogs sometimes bark at people in response to their "bad vibrations". He used the concept to suggest extrasensory perception, while Love's lyrics were inspired by the nascent Flower Power movement. It was written as it was recorded and in a similar fashion to other compositions from Wilson's Smile period. The song was issued as a standalone single backed with the Pet Sounds instrumental "Let's Go Away for Awhile". "Good Vibrations" was to be included on Smile before the project's collapse and instead appeared on the substitute LP Smiley Smile (1967). more »