The Beach Boys- Surf's Up ('A Bird In A Gilded Age')

This is a slideshow for my own fan-mix edit of The Beach Boys’ song ‘Surf’s Up’ featuring the lead vocal demo by Brian Wilson from 1966. On December 15, 1966, Brian Wilson recorded a piano and vocal demo for the song ‘Surf’s Up’. Some instrumental tracks had already been recorded earlier in November. The song was intended for inclusion on The Beach Boys’ legendary unfinished ‘Smile’ LP. Even though it was never completed in 1966 or 1967, a performance of the song with just Brian Wilson singing and accompanying himself on piano was presented on a TV special in April of 1967. In 1971, at the insistence of their new record label Warner Brothers, the song was finally completed with newly recorded sections and released, with a lead vocal by Carl Wilson, for the album ‘Surf’s Up’. Regarded as a masterpiece of songwriting by many, the song, maybe more than any other, has come to represent the lost promise of the ‘Smile’ project. Featuring finely crafted lyrics by Van Dyke Parks and one of Brian Wilson’s most singular melodies, there is truly nothing else like it that the Beach Boys ever recorded. Thanks to all the talented artists whose work presented here helps to bring a long ago era to life. Highest thanks to Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks for writing this stunning work of art, and all the talented musicians who helped in creating this magic. And of course, thanks to The Beach Boys Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston for their fantastic vocals.

Watch the Smile playlist for the entire album here:
   • The Beach Boys- Smile- The 1967 Video Album