In the Back of My Mind

The Beach Boys

About In the Back of My Mind

"In the Back of My Mind" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for American rock band the Beach Boys, first released on their 1965 album The Beach Boys Today!. It is a heavily orchestrated ballad in 6/8 time. Dennis Wilson largely sings lead unaccompanied though briefly during the middle-eight, his brothers Brian and Carl sing two lines in unison. Biographer Peter Ames Carlin said of the track: "It's like the orchestra is falling apart. It's about the guy's wife, and that's the most intimate relationship you can have. It radiates the complexities in Brian's inner life and how that comes through in his music and how he expresses that in music." Matthew Greenwald of Allmusic also offered praise of the song and its lyrics, saying that the choice of lead singer was good and that Dennis' performance is "wonderfully fragile." 


Year:
1965
2:10
52 

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I'm blessed with everything
A world to which a man can cling
So happy times when I break out in tears
In the back of my mind I still have my fears

I live my life with her
Love her true she knows I'm sure
I make her happy just living so plain
In the back of my mind I'm 'fraid it's gonna change

I tried to run far way from thoughts
I should try to keep away
But they just keep coming back to me
I tried to rationalize
But some day I might realize
That things are just good the way they'll be
I know it's so hard to find
A girl who really understands your mind
What will I do if I leave her
It will always be way in the back of my mind

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The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, the Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962. The band's early music gained popularity across the United States for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a Southern California youth culture of surfing, cars, and romance. By the mid 1960s, Brian Wilson's growing creative ambition and songwriting ability would dominate the group's musical direction. The primarily Wilson-composed Pet Sounds album and "Good Vibrations" single (both released in 1966) featured a complex, intricate and multi-layered sound that wa… more »

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Written by: BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON, MIKE E. LOVE

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Album Release
"In the Back of My Mind" is a track from the album "The Beach Boys Today!", which was released in March 1965.
Dennis Wilson as Lead
Emergence of Dennis Wilson as a serious musician was evident in the song, as it features him as the lead artist, one of his earliest appearances as a lead singer.
Broaching New Themes
The song is noted for its sombre and introspective lyrics, showing a stark departure from the prior themes of surf, cars, and teen romance that the Beach Boys were known for.
Production
The song, like the rest of the album, was produced by Brian Wilson, who was still active in the band at the time.
Emotional Complexity
"In The Back of my Mind" features intricate layers of vocal harmonies, showing growing sophistication in their music style, further emphasizing the emotional depth of the song.
Standout Track
Although it was not released as a single, "In the Back of My Mind" is seen by many fans and critics as a standout track on the ‘Today!’ album, often hailed for its emotional resonance.
Tape Layering Techniques
The song reputedly took 23 takes to perfect. Brian Wilson's innovative production techniques involved layering multiple recordings onto one tape.
Instrumentation
The song’s lush instrumentation features cellos and clarinets in addition to traditional rock and roll instruments.
Album Reception
The "Beach Boys Today!" is considered by critics as a turning point in the Beach Boys' career, with the album - and therefore the song as well - being seen as a foreshadowing of the 'Pet Sounds' era.
Emotional Depth
The song showcases Dennis Wilson's ability to convey emotional depth, the dark, introspective flavor of his voice often hailed as distinct and appealing.
Album Inclusion
"In the Back of My Mind" is part of The Beach Boys' ninth studio album "The Beach Boys Today!" which was released in 1965.
Genre Classification
This song, like many of The Beach Boys' tracks, falls into the genre of pop rock.
Lead Vocal
The lead vocal for this song is performed by Brian Wilson, one of the founding members of The Beach Boys.
Studio Composition
"In the Back of My Mind" is considered to be one of the more complex compositions among the Beach Boys' early work, featuring intricate vocal harmonies, and a combination of different musical instruments.
Musical Evolution
The song is viewed as a sign of the band's emerging musical maturity, as it deviates from their typical upbeat surf rock style to explore deeper, more introspective themes.
Produced by Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson is not just the lead singer of the song but also the producer of the track. His creative influence can be felt heavily throughout the song.
Lyricist
The lyrics of the song were written by Brian Wilson along with Mike Love. Their collaboration was quite common and they wrote many of The Beach Boys' major hits together.
Subject of the Song
The song reflects the theme of pondering lost love and the mark it leaves on someone’s mind, showcasing more emotional depth than their earlier works.
Session Recording
Like many songs by The Beach Boys, "In the Back of My Mind" was recorded at United Western Recorders, a famous recording studio in Hollywood.
Recognition
Though not released as a single, the song is highly regarded by fans and critics alike for its understated complexity and emotional resonance. It is often noted as one of the stand-out tracks on the "The Beach Boys Today!" album.

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