NPR 100 Songs

Good Vibrations

One of the greatest songs performed by the Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations” unmistakably captures the essence of the 1960s. Listening to the excerpts of the songs in the different stages of development is remarkable as the song grew and developed over a period of months. Brian Wilson worked on the project endlessly, and his dedication towards finding the right sound shows his love and insanity for perfection. He did not just work on the project though, but obsessed over it, and the obsession certainly shows in the product.

An interesting observation about this hit tune is that it is not the Beach Boys creation; it is wholly Wilsons. He knew every note, every little bit of music, and he revolutionized how songs could be made as he recorded and used three different studios for the song. Most artists are content to stay within their realm of comfort and familiar instruments- Wilson added an organ, a cello, a harmonica, and even created an instrument called an electro-theremin that mimicked the human voice. The harmony of sound that he created from instruments created a new-age version of pop, and from this sound, he created his last hit single. Every part of this song was revolutionary, and the only contribution the Beach Boys made to the song was their name and their voices. Before the NPR broadcast, I did not know the extent of the effort put into the music in one of my favorite songs.

The lyrics from the song added to the immensity of the project as Wilson refused to write about the material things of the world. Instead, he decided to personalize the song and make it about the “good vibrations” between two people. This song was his passion, and when he finalized the project, the result was astounding. He created a masterpiece over, and by listening to the story of its creation, the genius of the project makes it unforgettable.

“Rock Around the Clock”

Billy Haley’s success was not centered on instant stardom or luck- his fortune was based off patience and persistence. One of the earliest rock ‘n roll bands, Haley brought more into the music industry than history dictates and more than I had ever realized. The famous guitar solo, overused and drawn out by so many bands today, was first done in his music, and the cacophonous rhythm and the uproarious sound of rock ‘n roll started in his band and continued onward. However, what is amazing about Bill Haley is not the creation of his music, but the way he brought his music into existence.

In the face of opposition, most people are content with folding their losses and moving onward, but what is most admirable about Haley is that when he faced obstacles, he found ways around them. When Jim Meyers refused to let Haley record in the studio, Haley did not consider that the end of the song- he continued by finding other studios. When he recorded it and the song completely and utterly failed, he kept on playing it for the public, tweaking it every performance until people loved it. This song was a work in progress, and it took hard work to make it known. Until NPR told this story, it was completely unknown to me how much he persisted to work on this single. Not only did he persist with the public, but with different companies to record it.

While some fortune comes with persistence, a small part of it is luck as well, which is expected. When the show “Blackboard Jungle” decided to use his music for their theme song, it really was the turning point in his career. If he had not gotten that publicity, the song would have still been successful, but not to the same propensity seen today. Even the technology behind putting the song together was a work of genius-due to working under time constraints, the studio pieced together the song and allowed it to air only after one recording. Bill Haley’s music song was not a first-time success, but dedication allowed his song to reach the top of the charts and let his band be known as the originator of rock ‘n roll.

“White Christmas”

Originally written by Irving Berlin, “White Christmas” is a classic that brings back memories of home, loved ones, and better days. Although the song is about Christmas, I was shocked when I realized it is also completely secular, which now seems logical, as Berlin was a Jewish immigrant. The song makes no mention of Christ, but for me, this does not detract from the value or love that emanates from the song. However, what makes this song great is that it is about the Christmas spirit- the feelings of home, of being surrounded by loved ones, and of feeling secure and loved. While the time and place of the song’s composition is unknown, this little fact only adds to the timelessness of Berlin’s piece.

The melancholy tone of the song is far more understandable as the broadcast talked about the death of Berlin’s son on Christmas Day. Now the phrase “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas/Just like the ones I use to know” has new meaning and another level of understanding because he wrote this song for his son. As I listen to the song repeatedly, I can almost see how it could be written as a reminder of a life that was taken too early for a father. I had always believed that it was a song written for soldiers wishing to see their families again, but now I can see its original purpose is to remember things that have past and to hope for things to get better.

Unbeknownst to me, the original version of this song has outsold all other versions, and it eventually became the song of soldiers oversees. Considering how many people have made different versions to this song, I was surprised that the original had outsold them all. It was also interesting to note how the soldiers in Vietnam used the song as a signal for evacuation and as a reminder for what they missed about home. While the National Public Radio did not mention the movie based off “White Christmas,” the facts given by the broadcast cast the movie in a more accurate historical light as it showed the evolving nature of the song. The song slowly shifted from a small, personal audience to a wide range of people who wanted their lives back and who wanted to be free of war. Overall, this song evolved to touch the hearts of many who dream of having a “White Christmas” at home once again.