Surfer Girl

Surfer Girl

…a birthday tribute to Brian Wilson

 

 

 

the beach was the place to go

and what girl wasn’t playing 45’s

listening to “Surfer Girl”

dreaming of California

on such a winter’s day

 

thank you, Brian Wilson

for melodies that swooned me

with no one’s arms around me

 

for making my heart

come all undone ...

Author's Note

…a Beach Boy favorite of mine. Oh, that melody!

Reviews

[Lorry]

I was but a nipper and unfortunately for me too young to remember, but those California dreams somehow captured me, as it has done to so many since.
If you think of the beach boys you think of surf, sun and fun. Now how many bands can say their legacy is as good as that?
Ps... the idea of surfing gives me the fear, what with everything that lives down there wanting to eat us all. Stingy things, bitey things, swimming knives!!! But boy, what a soundtrack they have! 😃

[Kelly Scheppers]

I agree with you, Lorry, about the fear that lies beneath the water. But surfers make it look so darn cool and effortless. It certainly is fascinating to watch. Thanks so much, my friend!

[Vol]

Lorry,
I grew up in the waters of The Gulf Of Mexico/America... the worst injury I ever got was from a rusty bit of metal left by a nasty human... Oh, and bite, sting, fin, clamp, pinch, even suck... they are all DELICIOUS!!!
Vol

[Lorry]

Those pesky humans, eh? 😃

[Vol]

Lorry,
In Texas we call 'em, "sons-o-b*****s...

[Lorry]

Or depending on the subtitles...sumbitches! 😃

[Vol]

Hahaha! We reserve that one for those irritating lovers, muggers, and thieves after we've fallen for their scam... usually mumbled under our breath as we skulk away...
Vol

[Lorry]

Sumbitches...Motherfunsters...Why do we always insult their mothers when it's them who pissed us off?

[DIVYA]

Such a beautiful tribute to a great musician. It tells me how much you adore music and how big a part it is, of your soul, dear Kelly. A poem, so relatable and warm.

[John Sullivan]

I discovered the Beach Boys late in life, shortly before his passing. The last minute or so of "God Only Knows"... Wonderful. A great talent, and a great tribute.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Working in a record store afforded me the opportunity to tune into many genres of music. Having two older siblings also had its influence. I grew up in a house with a love of music. There was nothing better! Thank you, John!

[Michael Sun Bear]

On such a winter’s day, you’ve written a tribute to Brian Wilson, but got me hearing the Mamas and the Papas ——it was all great music back then

[Kelly Scheppers]

Oh, you noticed that! Lol, Jacob did, too. How cool. It just seemed to fit at the time, so I left it in. A little California dreaming that went a long way! Thank you, Michael. Your presence has been sorely missed here!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Man, I loved the Beach Boys. They were a lot of fun. I used to listen to them and Jan and Dean and The Rip Chords all the time. One summer spent at the dragstrip courting the owner's daughter...ah memories. Brian will be missed by many and you give him fine tribute here. Brava.

[Kelly Scheppers]

That song, that one song, was everything to me. The melody alone was captivating to listen to, it nearly broke my heart. Then, when I found out Brian had died, I asked Alexa to play it for me...like on repeat several times. I'm so glad I was able to write something that would have made him proud. Thank you, Fabian!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Little Deuce Coupe was my favorite. I was really into Hot Rod music. I have issues of Hot Rod Magazine in my office. (laughing) I ran with racecar drivers and bikers in my youth. Had a lot of fun. I went to school with "Dyno Don" Carltons son. Hung out at the local dragstrip. My best friend was a competition dirt track racer. Can't tell you how much red dirt I ate supporting him...But we really had lots of fun. He told me once that I was the one thing in life that never changed. I wish he had been right! lol But I'm still the same me because I like me. I'm good with me. And that's the best any of us can do. So many ain't. There I go being all feely-sofical (lol) But you know what I mean. Bless you dear. Elvis's death didn't affect me much but I cried when Jeff Healey died. We all have our loves. Mine is blues guitar but I digress and chase bunnies. Your poem was great, not because it was a masterpiece of form but because it was from the heart where all good poetry is born. And I think it came from a fine heart. Hope your week is wonderful. F.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'm hoping for a happy 4th celebration. My birthday is the day after, and it will be my first without my brother. He always acknowledged it in some way very special. I shall miss that this year. Thank you, Fabian!

[red93]

Surfing is big in 'Bristol's Back Garden' - the lovely County of Cornwall UK, where many Bristol people spend their holidays. Obviously it is not at the level of California USA though, where the Surfing Scene is World-Renowned. I liked some of the Beach Boys Music, and they were certainly up there with the other 60s Big Hitters. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Kelly Scheppers]

I think managing the agility of that board on water takes a lot of skill. It truly is an art. Thanks so much for your visit, Tony!

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[hiren]

Hi Kelly,
Hope everything is going good with you .was missing you.

Take 😘 care

Jessy Jacob ❤️.

[Kelly Scheppers]

...thank you.

[Ted Kniffen]

So much good music back then. The Beach Boys led the list but then you had Jan & Dean, The Surfaris, The Ventures Dick Dale and so many more.
There was joy in that sound ... or maybe we were just young and everything was new.

Much like Vol, Samuel and Jacob I am very much of that era.

God only knows it was the best time for music and love.

A wonderful tribute kelly

[Kelly Scheppers]

When I worked at a record store back in the eighties, there were enough employees to where every genre of music, every decade was represented to some degree, and we each learned from it and absorbed what it had to offer. The artistry of the LP's alone were a feast for the eyes. I'll never forget what that time taught me! Thanks so much, Ted! Your voice gave my poem the validation I hoped for!

[Betty Hermelee]

i agree, those boys were amazing… and made you feel like life was precious…their melodies were magical….and set us on fire… ode to a great group…. may Brian rest in peace.. their music will live in in our hearts
thank you for sharing!
Warmly, B🌷🌷🌷

[Kelly Scheppers]

Those boys of summer made us girls a surfer girl at heart! Thank you, Betty!

[Betty Hermelee]

You are very welcome! 🌷🌷🌷🌷
Warmly
B

[Buddhistboy73]

Yes I agree....The Beach Boys were legends of the surf....:)

I liked the way you combined nature and music here.....the California line is also very clever....
A great tribute to a musical scene....

Thanks for sharing....

Feel free to stop by and check out one of my latest poems...

BB73

[Kelly Scheppers]

I will! Thank you so much for the appreciation shown!

[Samuel Dickens]

Sweet words of admiration, quite deserved by Brian. In the early 60's, I saw the beach movies and heard the BB's songs that carried me to an idyllic place of sun, surf, and bikini-clad girls. Oh, how I wanted to leave rural Arkansas and go to California! As a music buff, I also appreciate his genius at crafting brilliant arrangements and vocals. "Little surfer, little one. Made my heart come all undone"

[Kelly Scheppers]

"...the crafting of brilliant arrangements and vocals" are exactly what made this song the classic it is. And that one line...what a haunting melody it is! Thank you for such a wonderful review, Sam. I'm thrilled I struck a chord with you!