The love song The Beach Boys wrote about George Harrison
It’s not uncommon to see mutual inspiration and admiration between musicians in the industry. During the 1960s, both The Beach Boys and The Beatles skyrocketed to fame, with the Californian group scoring their first national hit with ‘Surfin’ USA’ in 1963. Despite their competitive musical rivalry, a deep mutual respect developed between the two groups over time. This connection ultimately inspired The Beach Boys’ Mike Love to write a song dedicated to George Harrison of the Fab Four.
Reflecting on his work and inspirations, Love confirmed that the song ‘Pisces Brothers’ was written and produced in Harrison’s honour during a 2023 interview with Forbes. The track was written as a way of paying tribute to the iconic performer and is titled as a nod to the fact that Love and Harrison are both Pisces, sharing the astrological sign and various industry successes independent of each other. The track was released in acknowledgement of Harrison’s would-be 71st birthday and contains a heartfelt final lyric, “Though we’ll miss ya, now that you’re gone, your songs of light go on and on”. Highlighting Love’s affinity for energising and positive music.
Love also noted that this track, in particular, is one of his favourite to perform. ‘Pisces Brothers’ showcases an overlap of lyricism and poetic sensibilities. Love expressed that the work is “a poem” that he “put to music”. Digging deeper, he expressed that there are few songs that strike him as emotionally as the tribute track does. Another is his song, ‘The Warmth of the Sun’, which is a piece co-written with Brian Wilson about the assassination of President John F Kennedy.
The track remained unreleased for a time despite being recorded shortly after Harrison’s passing. While Love chose not to release it immediately, fans gained access through internet leaks. Officially released in 2014, the song was originally recorded in 2004. The track, which pays tribute to Harrison on his birthday, also includes references to the memorable trip that Love and The Beatles took to India together, weaving their shared history into the heartfelt homage.
The song honours a range of overlapping experiences, with Harrison’s memory taking centre stage. It also celebrates The Beatles’ 50th anniversary of their first visit to the United States. Additionally, the lyrics highlight the profound impact that their journey to India had on Harrison, an experience that Mike Love witnessed firsthand.
During their time in India, they sought spiritual guidance from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, whose teachings left a lasting impression. The lyric, “To Maharishi and how sublime, it was an atmosphere divine, such precious moments now in the past,” reflects on their shared time in India and the meditation techniques they learned there, capturing the spiritual significance of those moments.
They say that to be loved by a writer is to be immortalised, but being loved by a musician allows that memory to resonate even further. This track elevates love to profound new heights, underscored by tender vocals and beautifully harmonised instrumentation. While The Beach Boys and The Beatles shared a history of rivalry and triumph, this song reflects the deep connection that endures, even in George Harrison’s absence. Mike Love’s heartfelt tribute is not only a celebration of Harrison’s legacy but also a testament to the beauty found in loss. It reminds us of the powerful emotional vulnerability that musical creation can bring, turning grief into something profoundly moving and enduring.
