Progressive Pop

The song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys is about the frustration of the young who wish they were older and could run away to be together. Yet, it is upbeat and hopeful. Despite the simple sentiment, the production is a complex wall of sound. It features beautiful harmonies and a wide variety of instruments. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” was composed, arranged and produced by Beach Boy Brian Wilson with lyrics by Tony Asher and some help from Beach Boy Mike Love. It is a beautiful example of Sixties vocal surf rock.

The Beach Boys released “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” as the first track of their 1966 album Pet Sounds. They released it as a single backed with “God Only Knows,” although the sides were flipped in some countries (e.g., the U.K.). In 1966, the song went to #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #2 in Australian, #4 in Canada, #12 in New Zealand.

On lead vocals were Brian Wilson and Mike Love, who also was on backing vocals. On the backing vocals were Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson. Instrumentation came from the infamous Wrecking Crew studio musicians. The additional musician list is a long one: Hal Blaine (drums),Frank Capp (percussion, bells, tympani), Roy Caton (trumpet), Jerry Cole (a detuned 12-string guitar), Steve Douglas and Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone), Carl Fortina and France Marocco (accordion), Carol Kay (electric bass), Barney Kessel and Ray Pohlman (mandolin), Larry Knechtel (organ), Al de Lory (piano), Jay Migliori (baritone saxophone), Bill Pitman (guitar), and Lyle Ritz (string bass).

Here are the lyrics to “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys:

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn’t have to wait so long
And wouldn’t it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong

You know it’s gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through

Happy times together we’ve been spending
I wish that every kiss was never-ending
Wouldn’t it be nice

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true
Baby then there wouldn’t be a single thing we couldn’t do
We could be married
And then we’d be happy
Wouldn’t it be nice

You know it seems the more we talk about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But let’s talk about it
Wouldn’t it be nice
Good night my baby
Sleep tight my baby…”

For more songs by The Beach Boys: “Sloop John B,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” and “Good Vibrations.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys.