Good Vibrations

This groundbreaking classic was first attempted during the sessions for "Pet Sounds" with first draft lyrics from PS collaborator, Tony Asher.
Was called "a mosaic, rather than a true composed song" by music professor, Daniel Harrison.
The most elaborate production of all of the Beach Boys' hits; truly Brian Wilson's crowning achievement.
Became the BB's biggest worldwide hit (up until 1988's "Kokomo").
Brian effective uses a cello on the chorus to emualate a fuzz guitar.
The theremin, Carl's vocal, Mike's "I'm pickin' up good vibrations", the harmony chord before the last chorus, Brian's astute sense of orchestration, and the round-like vocals that close the track make this one of the all-time great recording studio concoctions.

Lyrics: I, I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

I'm pickin' up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
(Oom bop bop good vibrations)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)

Close my eyes
She's somehow closer now
Softly smile, I know she must be kind
When I look in her eyes
She goes with me to a blossom world

I'm pickin' up good vibrations
She's giving me excitations
I'm pickin' up good vibrations
(Oom bop bop good vibrations)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop excitations)

(Ahhhhhhh)
(Ah my my what elation)
I don't know where but she sends me there
(Ah my my what a sensation)
(Ah my my what elations)
(Ah my my what)

Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin' with her
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin' with her
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations
A happenin'

Ahhhhhhhh
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
(I'm pickin' up good vibrations)
She's giving me excitations
(Oom bop bop)
(Excitations)
Good good good good vibrations
(Oom bop bop)
She's na na . . .

Na na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na na
Na na na
Do do do do do
Do do do
Do do do do do
Do do do

Chords: (original key: D#)

Dm................................C.......................................Bb..................................................A7
I, I love the colorful clothes she wears, and the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
Dm...............................C..............................Bb............................................................A7.....C7
I hear the sound of a gentle word, on the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

F.....Bb/F........F7...........Bb/F........F......Bb/F.....F7......Bb/F
I'm pickin' up good vibrations, she's giving me excitations
F.....Bb/F........F7...........Bb/F........F......Bb/F.....F7......Bb/F
I'm pickin' up good vibrations, she's giving me excitations
G.......C/G......G7.....C/G......G....C/G....G7....C/G
Good good good good vibrations
A......D/A.....A7....D/A.....A....D/A....A7.....D/A
Good good good good vibrations

Dm...................................................C...............Bb...................................................A7
Close my eyes, she's somehow closer now, softly smile, I know she must be kind
Dm................C..................................Bb..........................................A7.....C7
When I look in her eyes, she goes with me to a blossom world

A..D/A..A7..D/A..A..D/A..A7..D/A (rpt)

A....D/A....A7....D/A....A....D/A....A7....D/A
Ahhhhhhh,
.....D...............G/D.................D7...........G/D
I don't know where but she sends me there
D...G/D...D7...G/D.....A..........D/A.....A7....D/A.......A......D/A....A7....D/A....(E....F#m7..B7..E)
Ah my my what a sensation, ah my my my, what elations

E...............................................F#m7............B7
Gotta keep those lovin' good vibrations a happenin' with her (rpt x4)
E...D/E
....Ahhhhhhhh

A.....D/A....A7...D/A....A....D/A...A7....D/A
Good good good good vibrations
G.....C/G....G7...C/G....G....C/G...G7....C/G
Good good good good vibrations
F.....Bb/F....F7...Bb/F...F....Bb/F...F7....Bb/F
Good good good good vibrations
F......................................G
Na na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na na
A......................................G
Na na na na na na na na, na na na na na na na na

G........C/G........G7........C/G (rpt to fade)

NB (Variants)

F..Bb/F..Cm/F..Bb/F
G..C/G..Dm/G..C/G
A..D/A..Em/A..D/A
D..G/D..Am/D..G/D

Chart prepared by Francis Greene

Sheet Music

Smiley Smile album page

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