Let the Wind Blow

This article is about the Beach Boys song. For the Indian film, see Hava Aney Dey.
"Let the Wind Blow"
Song by The Beach Boys from the album Wild Honey
Released December 18, 1967 (1967-12-18)
Recorded 1967 (1967)
Genre Rock
Length 2:19
Label Capitol
Writer
Producer The Beach Boys
Wild Honey track listing
Music sample
"Let the Wind Blow"

"Let the Wind Blow" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released in 1967 as the ninth track on their thirteenth studio album Wild Honey. The song is a ballad with lyrics that metaphorically relate nature to the essence of love.[1] It is the first composition recorded by the group that is in 3/4 time from beginning to end.[2]

Critical reception

Music theorist Daniel Harrison called it "the most arresting and compositionally assured song on the album, and it echoes the formal and harmonic technique of 'God Only Knows'."[3] Stylus Magazine wrote: "'Let the Wind Blow' is a moody ballad that swirls and throbs with a subtle psychedelia more hinted at than indulged in; proof of a growing sophistication that improves upon the Smiley Smile formula."[4] In 1968, Gene Scullati said the song was further evidence of Wilson's "weird ear for melody".[5] PopMatters wrote that, in contrast to the Wild Honey single "Darlin'", "'Let the Wind Blow' ... is forlorn and urgent, with a gripping chorus and somber production. It’s fantastic."[6]

Variations

An alternate stereo mix of "Let the Wind Blow" was included on the rarities compilation Hawthorne CA (2001). A live performance of the song appears on the album The Beach Boys in Concert (1973).

Cover versions

References

  1. ↑ Greenwalk, Matthew. "Let the Wind blow". AllMusic.
  2. ↑ Hickey, Andrew (2011). The Beach Boys On CD: Volume 1 1961-1969. lulu.com. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4475-4233-9.
  3. ↑ Harrison, Daniel (1997). "After Sundown: The Beach Boys' Experimental Music" (PDF). In Covach, John; Boone, Graeme M. Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis. Oxford University Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9780199880126.
  4. ↑ Faust, Edwin C. (September 22, 2003). "The 1967-1971 Beach Boys: Long Promised Road". Stylus Magazine.
  5. ↑ Scullati, Gene (September 1968). "Villains and Heroes: In Defense of the Beach Boys". Jazz & Pop.
  6. ↑ Blum, Jordan (September 27, 2013). "Made in California". PopMatters.
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