Don't Go Near The Water

Album: Surf's Up (1971)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Beach Boys subverted their California youth culture clichés with this early environmentalist anthem. Instead of celebrating surfing and other beach-based activities, they lament human pollution in "oceans, rivers, lakes and streams," and warn us to stay away from the water.
  • Mike Love and Al Jardine wrote the song after newly recruited manager Jack Rieley suggested they pen political material to stay relevant. They wrote it in 10 minutes.

    "The melody's pretty simple and I remember Al came up with that bridge: 'Toothpaste and soap will make our oceans a bubble bath,'" Love recalled to Uncut magazine. "I remember writing quite a bit of the verses, so it was a collaboration. But it didn't take all that long. It wasn't a Beethoven Symphony, just a little pop tune."
  • Al Jardine wasn't happy with the song they wrote, but had to let Mike Love have his way. "I could've done a much better job, but Mike insisted on putting these meditation lyrics in it, whereas I wanted it to be more dramatic," he told Uncut magazine. "But sometimes you just have to go with the flow, because you're a team. He sang the lead and the lead singer always gets the upper hand."
  • Another Surf's Up track, "A Day in the Life of a Tree," continued the ecological theme of "Don't Go Near the Water" by imagining the feelings of a tree. Jack Rieley co-wrote that song and provided the lead vocals.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.