Busy Doin' Nothin'

The Beach Boys

About Busy Doin' Nothin'

"Busy Doin' Nothin'" is a song written by Brian Wilson for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It appears as the tenth track on their 1968 studio album Friends. The lyrics reflect the minutiae of his daily social and business life, while the music, Wilson says, was inspired by "bossa nova in general".


Year:
2002
3:05
44 
#1

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I had to fix a lot of things this morning
'Cause they were so scrambled
But now it's okay
I tell you I've got enough to do

The afternoon was filled up with phone calls
What a hot sticky day, yeah yeah yeah
The air is cooling down

Take all the time you need
It's a lovely night
If you decide to come
You're gonna do it right

Drive for a couple miles
You'll see a sign and turn left
For a couple blocks
Next is mine, you'll turn left on a little road
It's a bumpy one

You'll see a white fence
Move the gate and drive through on the left side
Come right in
And you'll find me in my house somewhere
Keeping busy while I wait

I get a lot of thoughts in the morning
I write 'em all down
If it wasn't for that
I'd forget 'em in a while

And lately I've been thinking 'bout a good friend
I'd like to see more of, yeah yeah yeah
I think I'll make a call

I wrote a number down
But I lost it
So I searched through my pocket book
I couldn't find it
So I sat and concentrated on the number
And slowly it came to me
So I dialed it

And I let it ring a few times
There was no answer
So I let it ring a little more
Still no answer

So I hung up the telephone
Got some paper and sharpened up a pencil
And wrote a letter to my friend

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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 WILSON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Busy Doin' Nothin'" is a song by the American rock band, The Beach Boys, from their 1968 album "Friends."
Album Rank
It is the fifth track on the album "Friends," which reached number 126 on the US Billboard 200.
Composer of the Song
Lead singer Brian Wilson wrote and arranged the song, delivering a playful and calming melody.
Unique Composition
Unlike most popular songs, "Busy Doin' Nothin’" does not have a traditional chord progression. Instead, its arrangement flows through a set of musical segments.
Experimental in Style
The song is noted for its bossa nova style, adding an exotic touch to the Beach Boys' discography.
Song's Inspiration
The lyrics reflect Brian Wilson's daily life and routine, providing listeners a glimpse of his lifestyle during that period.
Comedic Undertone
One of the unique features is the listing of directions to Wilson's house, which is considered as humor because listeners would not likely follow these directions.
Brian Wilson’s Leadership
Despite the rest of the band's absence for most of the "Friends" recording sessions, Brian Wilson's footprint as a composer and producer is more than apparent in tracks like "Busy Doin' Nothin'."
Band’s Feedback
Despite the album's relative lack of success, both commercially and critically at the time of its release, band member Al Jardine stated in an interview that "Friends" is his favorite Beach Boys album.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by artists such as The Olivia Tremor Control and Margo Guryan, and remains a fan favorite due to its quirky lyrical content and catchy melody.
Incorporation in Reissues
The song was included in the 2001 compilation album "Classics Selected by Brian Wilson" and the 2013 reissue of "The SMiLE Sessions."
Song’s Legacy
Even though the song wasn't a big commercial success, it's often recognized by fans and musicians for its experimental approach. It stands as an example of Brian Wilson's songwriting capabilities, moving away from traditional pop and rock formulas.

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