Written by Brian Wilson, Tony Asher and Mike Love
Recorded by The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson and company released some of the most beautiful, engaging, and innovative pop music of their time, and part of their genius was writing hit singles for an audience outside of their personal worlds. Only one “Boy” surfed, they weren’t particularly tan, and by the time of the release of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the band members were in their 20s and already knew how nice it is to be older. Lyricist and Pet Sounds-era collaborator Tony Asher was twenty-seven at the time. His lyrics are economical, yet natural and musical. It’s the story of young lovers who yearn for the benefits of an older relationship:
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
…Oh, wouldn't it be nice?
While the song does not have a traditional-sounding chorus, it does feature refrains and clear ‘A’ and ‘B’ parts. After two runs through those parts, we most certainly get to the bridge, and what a bridge it is. Musically, it’s the kind of Pet Sounds, mid-sixties, trying-to-outdo-The-Beatles arrangement you’ve come to love. And not only does the sound and feel of the song change dramatically, so does the singer. Up until the bridge, Brian Wilson sings lead until he passes the mic to Mike - Love that is!
The bridge also offers a lyrical shift. Prior, the couple is grounded. They know, that even though it would be nice to have an adult relationship, they do not, and they’ll just have to patiently wait until they’ve finished high school. But in the bridge, wishes lead to hope, which leads to prayers, and then, there’s no turning back – they’re in fantasyland:
Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray
It might come true
Oh, baby, then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married
And then we'd be happy
That is, until we modulate back with a “Oh, wouldn't it be nice?” and then, the most harsh of realities:
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…
…But wouldn't it be nice?
-MJK
Recorded by The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson and company released some of the most beautiful, engaging, and innovative pop music of their time, and part of their genius was writing hit singles for an audience outside of their personal worlds. Only one “Boy” surfed, they weren’t particularly tan, and by the time of the release of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the band members were in their 20s and already knew how nice it is to be older. Lyricist and Pet Sounds-era collaborator Tony Asher was twenty-seven at the time. His lyrics are economical, yet natural and musical. It’s the story of young lovers who yearn for the benefits of an older relationship:
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
…Oh, wouldn't it be nice?
While the song does not have a traditional-sounding chorus, it does feature refrains and clear ‘A’ and ‘B’ parts. After two runs through those parts, we most certainly get to the bridge, and what a bridge it is. Musically, it’s the kind of Pet Sounds, mid-sixties, trying-to-outdo-The-Beatles arrangement you’ve come to love. And not only does the sound and feel of the song change dramatically, so does the singer. Up until the bridge, Brian Wilson sings lead until he passes the mic to Mike - Love that is!
The bridge also offers a lyrical shift. Prior, the couple is grounded. They know, that even though it would be nice to have an adult relationship, they do not, and they’ll just have to patiently wait until they’ve finished high school. But in the bridge, wishes lead to hope, which leads to prayers, and then, there’s no turning back – they’re in fantasyland:
Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray
It might come true
Oh, baby, then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married
And then we'd be happy
That is, until we modulate back with a “Oh, wouldn't it be nice?” and then, the most harsh of realities:
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…
…But wouldn't it be nice?
-MJK
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