By Karla Pena
Think back to a song that has lifted you up. Do you remember the individual beats at certain time points? Instruments that complemented its lyrics so well? Creating songs usually applies musical theory, the study of fundamental elements in music. Many musicians incorporate musical theory into their creative process as a rhetorical tool to depict emotions and messages for listeners. One example of innovative trailblazers within the music industry was the Beach Boys. The band employed experimental composition in the making of “Good Vibrations,” utilizing music theory to take the song's simple lyrics to another level. Its harmonies and unusual instrumental characteristics create an overall euphoric experience for listeners.
The Beach Boys were among the 1960s’ top influential musical sensations. Originating in California, brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson decided to create a garage band with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. After choosing their group name, they began recording music in 1961. Due to the group’s shared roots in the Golden State, much of their music surrounded the SoCal aesthetic, with their first national hit appropriately titled “Surfin’ U.S.A.” The band continued to reach critical acclaim and released the song “Good Vibrations” in October 1966, which surrounds a romantic connection through “vibes” or energy.
Its initial verse describes the narrator’s observations of a woman. This is done by using imagery and sensory language. Accompanying the lyrics are two instruments: the bass and the rhythmic organ. According to Polyphonic’s YouTube video titled “Good Vibrations: The Beach Boys’ Pop Masterpiece,” both the song’s vocal and instrumental components cumulatively follow four beats per measure in an “ethereal descending chord progression.” The progression refers to the chorus following a chord pattern while remaining in the base chord E flat(b) Minor. This results in each of the four beats being at a lower tone than the last and allows secondary chords to complement one another due to their relationships to the base chord. These measures present romantic feelings and mirror the lyrics’ representation of falling in love, with the chords “falling” with the narrator.
Following the verse, the chorus adds repetitive lyrics and melodic contrasts, which strengthen listeners’ understanding of the narrator. Repetition reinforces the positive energy the narrator is receiving from the woman, where that energy is transferred to listeners within the instrumentals. The melody switches from an Eb Minor Descending Chord Progression to a Gb Major Ascending Chord Progression, with each following chord getting higher rather than lower. This sharply contradicts the initial verse, setting a dynamic, slightly unpredictable tone for the song. The alternating verse-choruses in “Good Vibrations” solidifies the relationship of instrumentals to attraction, with switching symphonies and changing key signatures symbolizing the energetic highs and peaceful lows of admiration.
The Beach Boys incorporated unique methods and instruments to produce distinct sounds throughout the song. One of the most recognizable tunes in classic rock is introduced in “Good Vibrations,” where an electro-theremin plays an extraterrestrial-like drawl in each chorus. The electro-theremin is an instrument where sound is produced by manipulating electromagnetic waves with hand movements, and it plays a prominent role in the Beach Boys’ integration of indirect techniques. The visceral reaction that is invoked from the repetitive otherworldly audio, along with the “I’m pickin’ up good vibrations” lines leaves listeners with merriment.
Few people would disagree that the instrumental of “Good Vibrations” was meticulously composed solely for the listeners’ experience. However, the most notable argument for this is that the lyrics and instrumentals are relatively uncomplicated. With elementary verses and the modern desensitization from ongoing musical advancements, it’s easy to understand why people would not think much of The Beach Boys if this song were released today. However, what some fail to realize is that what is presently considered the norm was revolutionary back then. With many songs of that era having been produced and released in less than a month, “The Wall Street Journal” reports that the creation of “Good Vibrations” took over two years, 90 hours of recordings, and $749,000 in today’s currency, until it was released as a single in October 1966. Brian Wilson’s unconventional and perfectionist nature propelled the group to continue incorporating strange, hypnotic symphonies within the song. This inventive approach originated from the drive to discover different tools to emotionally pull in listeners.
With “Good Vibrations,” the Beach Boys set an astronomical standard for musicians and impacted what musical methods are chosen to this day. The seamless partnership between the instrumentals and lyrics creates an immersive experience, tightening the bond between listeners and the song, and with it, the Beach Boys left their mark on music and national history.
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