Let the Wind Blow

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This article is about the Beach Boys song. For the Indian film, see Hava Aney Dey.
"Let the Wind Blow"
Song by The Beach Boys
from the album Wild Honey
ReleasedDecember 18, 1967 (1967-12-18)
RecordedNovember 1967[1]
GenreRock
Length2:19
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)The Beach Boys
Audio sample
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"Let the Wind Blow"
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"Let the Wind Blow" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released in 1967 as the ninth track on their thirteenth studio album Wild Honey. The song is a ballad with lyrics that metaphorically relate nature to the essence of love.[2] It is the first composition recorded by the group that is in 3
4 time from beginning to end.[3]

Critical reception[]

Music theorist Daniel Harrison called it "the most arresting and compositionally assured song on the album, and it echoes the formal and harmonic technique of 'God Only Knows'."[4] Stylus Magazine wrote: "'Let the Wind Blow' is a moody ballad that swirls and throbs with a subtle psychedelia more hinted at than indulged in; proof of a growing sophistication that improves upon the Smiley Smile formula."[5] In 1968, Gene Sculatti said the song was further evidence of Wilson's "weird ear for melody".[6] PopMatters wrote that, in contrast to the Wild Honey single "Darlin'", "'Let the Wind Blow' ... is forlorn and urgent, with a gripping chorus and somber production. It’s fantastic."[7]

Variations[]

An alternate stereo mix of "Let the Wind Blow" was included on the rarities compilation Hawthorne CA (2001).[citation needed] A live performance of the song appears on the album The Beach Boys in Concert (1973).[citation needed]

Personnel[]

Sourced from Craig Slowinski.[8]

Cover versions[]

See also: List of cover versions of Beach Boys songs

References[]

  1. ^ Doe, Andrew G. "Tours & Sessions 1967". Bellagio 10452. Endless Summer Quarterly.
  2. ^ Greenwalk, Matthew. "Let the Wind blow". AllMusic.
  3. ^ Hickey, Andrew (2011). The Beach Boys On CD: Volume 1 1961-1969. lulu.com. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4475-4233-9.
  4. ^ Harrison, Daniel (1997). "After Sundown: The Beach Boys' Experimental Music" (PDF). In Covach, John; Boone, Graeme M. (eds.). Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis. Oxford University Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9780199880126.
  5. ^ Faust, Edwin C. (September 22, 2003). "The 1967-1971 Beach Boys: Long Promised Road". Stylus Magazine.
  6. ^ Sculatti, Gene (September 1968). "Villains and Heroes: In Defense of the Beach Boys". Jazz & Pop. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14.
  7. ^ Blum, Jordan (September 27, 2013). "Made in California". PopMatters.
  8. ^ Slowinski liner notes, ESQ Issue 121
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