I Get Around
The Beach Boys
Cruising the Scene: The Beach Boys' Ode to Freedom and Youth
The Beach Boys' song "I Get Around" is a vibrant anthem of youth, freedom, and the carefree lifestyle of the 1960s. The lyrics convey a sense of constant movement and social agility, with the repeated line "Get around round round I get around" emphasizing the narrator's active social life. The song reflects the surf culture and the spirit of the times, where cars and beach scenes were central to the identity of young Californians.
The song also touches on themes of rebellion and nonconformity. The narrator mentions getting "bugged driving up and down the same old strip" and seeking out new places "where the kids are hip." This desire to break away from monotony and find fresh experiences resonates with the youth's pursuit of novelty and excitement. The Beach Boys encapsulate the essence of teenage rebellion against the predictable and the establishment.
Moreover, the song subtly addresses the dating culture of the era. The lines "None of the guys go steady cause it wouldn't be right / To leave their best girl home now on Saturday night" suggest a preference for casual relationships over commitment, which was a growing trend among young people in the 1960s. The Beach Boys manage to capture the essence of a generation looking to enjoy their youth without the constraints of traditional expectations, all set to a catchy and upbeat tune that has become emblematic of the era.