In My Room

"In My Room" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American pop band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1963 album Surfer Girl. It was also released as the B-side of the "Be True to Your School" single. The single peaked at #6 in the U.S.. A remake by Usher's own band, Sagittarius, peaked at number eighty-six in 1969.

1 Writing the song
2 Recognition and Influence
3 Details
- 3.1 Performers
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Writing the song

Gary Usher explained that

"'In My Room' found us taking our craft a little more seriously. Brian and I came back to the house one night after playing 'over the line' (a baseball game). I played bass and Brian was on organ. The song was written in an hour...Brian's melody all the way. The sensitivity...the concept meant a lot to him. When we finished, it was late, after our midnight curfew. In fact, Murry [The Wilson brother's father] came in a couple of times and wanted me to leave. Anyway, we got Audree [The Wilson brothers' mother], who was putting her hair up before bed, and we played it for her. She said, 'That's the most beautiful song you've ever written.' Murry said, 'Not bad, Usher, not bad,' which was the nicest thing he ever said to me."

Gary Usher who co-wrote the lyrics with Brian Wilson yet was not given credit describes that "Brian was always saying that his room was his whole world." Brian seconds this opinion: "I had a room, and I thought of it as my kingdom. And I wrote that song, very definitely, that you're not afraid when you're in your room. It's absolutely true."

In 1990, Brian wrote,

"I also enjoyed producing 'In My Room'. There is a story behind this song. When Dennis, Carl and I lived in Hawthorne as kids, we all slept in the same room. One night I sang the song 'Ivory Tower' to them and they liked it. Then a couple of weeks later, I proceeded to teach them both how to sing the harmony parts to it. It took them a little while, but they finally learned it. We then sang this song night after night. It brought peace to us. When we recorded 'In My Room', there was just Dennis, Carl and me on the first verse...and we sounded just like we did in our bedroom all those nights. This story has more meaning than ever since Dennis' death."

[edit] Recognition and Influence

Rolling Stone magazine named it #209 on its list of greatest songs of all-time. David Crosby, of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young), admitted to being an admirer of the song, quoting "'In My Room' was the defining point for me. When I heard it, I thought 'I give up - I can't do that - I'll never be able to do that.'" He sang a trio cover version with Jimmy Webb and Carly Simon on "An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (2001)."