The Supremes held the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 the week of November 15, 1967, with ‘You Keep Me Hanging On.’ I featured that song way back in 2009 as part of Motown Weekends.
At #2 that week was The Beach Boys’ classic ‘Good Vibrations,’ on its way to a stint at #1 a few weeks later. This was The Beach Boys’ third #1 hit, following ‘I Get Around‘ and ‘Help Me, Rhonda.’
‘Good Vibrations’ is one of the most elaborate and expensive singles ever recorded, with Brian Wilson and company spending eight months and tens of thousands of dollars compiling more than 90 hours of audio.
You can hear every minute and every dime. This is an ecstatic pop confection (dubbed a “pocket symphony” by the band’s publicist) that could serve as Exhibit A of Wilson’s musical genius, especially coming on the heels of Pet Sounds, the seminal album released in May of that year.
I, I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air
[Chorus]
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
She’s giving me excitations (Oom-bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations, bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations, bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations)
[Verse 2]
Close my eyes, she’s somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world
[Chorus]
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
She’s giving me excitations (Oom-bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations, bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations, bop-bop)
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations (Good vibrations, bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations)
[Bridge]
(Ah)
(Ah, my, my, what elation)
I don’t know where but she sends me there
(Oh my, my, what a sensation)
(Oh my, my, what elation)
(Oh my, my, what)
Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations a-happenin’ with her
Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations a-happenin’ with her
Gotta keep those lovin’ good vibrations a-happenin’
(Ah)
[Chorus]
Good, good, good, good vibrations (Oom-bop-bop)
(I’m pickin’ up good vibrations, good vibrations bop-bop)
She’s giving me excitations (Excitations, bop-bop)
Good, good, good, good vibrations
