CHAPTER 18 | ROCK IN THE 1960s 455songwriters: Brian Wilson, Tony Asher,
and Mike Love
date: 1966
genre: rock
performers: The Beach Boys (seven
members) and studio musicians; produced
by Brian Wilson
meter: duple
form: AA'BA"timing section text comments0:00 introduction Prominent harp fi gure establishes “wrong”
key (A major), so that the arrival of the vocal
in the tonic (F) is jolting.
0:06 A Wouldn’t it be nice if we were
older...Along with the usual rock instruments are
accordions, buried deep in the mix.
0:23 You know it’s gonna make it that
much better...The fi rst A section ends inconclusively,
leading smoothly into the second A.
0:33 A' Wouldn’t it be nice if we could wake
up...Backing voices add a secondary melodic
line.0:501:00 refrainThe happy times together we’d be
spending...
Oh, wouldn’t it be nice? Refrain line gives strong closure.1:05 B Maybe if we think and wish and
hope and pray...Bridge in contrasting key (A major); the
harp intro recurs as accompaniment.1:28 refrain Oh, wouldn’t it be nice? Return to tonic (F).1:37 A'' You know it seems the more we talk
about it...Instead of a return to the opening, a slowing
down, with mandolin tremolos, then a return
to the second portion of the A section.1:57 refrain Wouldn’t it be nice?1:59 coda Good night my baby... A repeating phrase on the tonic harmony
leads to a fadeout.WHAT TO LISTEN FOR- rich textures resembling Phil Spector’s Wall
of Sound - unusual expansion of aaba chorus structure
- distant modulation in bridge, anticipated
tonally by the introduction - tempo changes encourage listening rather
than dancing
CD 3.20 Listening Guide 18.3 “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” THE BEACH BOYSListen & Refl ect
- How does the subject matter of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” resemble the teen-oriented lyrics of
1950s rock and roll songs, and how does it differ? How does the musical treatment relate
to the lyrics?
172028_18_440-467_r3_sd.indd 455 23/01/13 11:02 AM