Love describes the stories behind his lyrics for pop classics such as "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Surfin' USA," and "Kokomo," while providing vivid portraits of the turbulent lives of his three gifted cousins, Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson. His own story has never been fully told, of how a sheet-metal apprentice became the quintessential front man for America's most successful rock band, singing in more than 5,600 concerts in 26 countries. The Beach Boys, from their California roots to their international fame, are a unique American story - one of overnight success and age-defying longevity of musical genius and reckless self-destruction of spirituality, betrayal, and forgiveness - and Love is the only band member to be part of it each and every step. But with all the “ooms” and “na na nas,” those less familiar will lose track of where in the song they are and will ultimately tire of the pages of “bops,” despite the creative illustrations depicting all kinds of fun, random things: green aliens, pig headed men, and singing cacti.Mike Love tells the story of his legendary, raucous, and ultimately triumphant five-decade career as the front man of The Beach Boys, the most popular American band in history - timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of "Good Vibrations."Īs a founding member of The Beach Boys, Mike Love has spent an extraordinary fifty-five years, and counting, as the group's lead singer and one of its principal lyricists. Other than that, many pages are filled with things like “bop,” “oom,” and “na.” Readers who know the song by heart will likely enjoy singing this book aloud, and Hoppe’s decision to tell the story from a dog’s point of view is an interesting, unexpected approach.
When it comes to lyrics, there are actually only three short verses that don’t translate to story very clearly. The girl is depicted in various scenes spreading good vibrations, like serving an old woman and using her surfboard to help birds cross a chasm. “I love the colorful clothes she wears / And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair” sings the dog from its doghouse while a beach-going surfer girl dons a turquoise sun hat. In this illustrated picture book version of the beloved Beach Boys’ Billboard number one song, “Good Vibrations,” a dog grooves out about the good vibrations of its owner.
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