Arguably the most influential decade in the history of modern music, the 1960s helped establish pop music as we know it today. Famedly emerging from Liverpool, The Beatles ruled England and, it seemed, the whole world. Closely following them in popularity throughout the world were The Rolling Stones. The band drew influence from rock ‘n’ roll and the blues to produce a string of hit songs.
The Rolling Stones gained popularity in the early 1960s and experienced a notable taste of success in 1964 when their song “It’s All Over Now” became their first number-one hit in the UK. The Beach Boys, on the other side of the ocean, were becoming more well-known for their breezy surf tunes. When they released “I Get Around” that same year, The Beach Boys also experienced chart-topping success in their home country for the first time.
Their sixth album, All Summer Long, featured the iconic song. This song ultimately helped them attain the success they had long yearned for. The Beach Boys were upset at the time because a lot of British bands, like The Beatles, were dominating American chart positions. But in the end, they succeeded in taking the throne. “I Get Around” is still one of their most well-known hits.
Producer Daniel Lanois praised Brian’s specific cultural observations, calling the song a “snapshot song”. He engages the audience with a single philosophical moment. One idea, one feeling, and that’s frequently the most effective approach.
In addition to dominating their own country, The Beach Boys also reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart. This contributed to their increased fame abroad. However, it’s a little-known fact that Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones contributed to the song’s rise in the UK. He did so by sending copies of the song to unofficial radio stations. Furthermore, Jagger promoted the song on the television show Juke Box Jury. This helped The Beach Boys’ song reach a new audience abroad.
It’s interesting to note that Jagger later declared, “I hate The Beach Boys, but I like Brian Wilson,” to Melody Maker, criticising the band he had previously supported. He is quite kind and somewhat unique from them. You would not believe it if you saw The Beach Boys live. To save his life, the drummer seems incapable of maintaining time.
Mike Love of The Beach Boys unnecessarily criticised the Stones during his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speech, even with Jagger’s assistance. “The Beach Boys did about 180 performances last year,” Love stated. The Mop Tops should match that, please! Any day now, I hope to see Mick Jagger take the stage and perform “I Get Around” against “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”
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