The video is a true classic, a piece of American history that transports us back to a time of groovy tunes, sunshine, and carefree days. It’s The Beach Boys performing “Do It Again” on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 13, 1968, and it’s an absolute delight.
As the video starts, we’re greeted with the iconic sound of the band’s harmonies. It’s impossible not to tap your feet and nod your head to the beat. The band members look cool and confident, each sporting a different brightly-colored shirt and a head full of hair. It’s a time when everything seemed possible, and this performance captures that feeling perfectly.
To set the scene, 1968 was a year full of promise and change. The cost of living was lower than it is today, with a gallon of milk costing around $1.07 and a dozen eggs only 53 cents. The price of a gallon of gas was around 34 cents, and the President of the United States was Lyndon B. Johnson. It was a year of protests and activism, with the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the anti-Vietnam War movement dominating headlines. But for a moment, as The Beach Boys take the stage, all that fades away.
“Do It Again” was released in 1968 and was an instant hit. The song’s lyrics tell a story of nostalgia and longing, with lead singer Mike Love crooning, “It’s automatic when I talk with old friends / The conversation turns to girls we knew when their hair was soft and long / And the beach was the place to go.” It’s a nostalgic tribute to a simpler time, and it’s no wonder that it resonated so strongly with audiences.
But did you know that “Do It Again” wasn’t originally written as a Beach Boys song? In fact, it was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for a band called The Castells, who never ended up recording it. Luckily for us, The Beach Boys took it on and made it their own, creating a classic that still sounds fresh and vibrant today.
So why should you watch this video and share it with your friends? Because it’s a piece of American history that captures the spirit of a time and a place that we’ll never get back. It’s a reminder that there’s always something to smile about, even in tumultuous times. And, of course, it’s just plain fun to watch The Beach Boys doing what they do best – creating music that makes us feel good. So hit that play button, turn up the volume, and let’s do it again.
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