"Feel Flows" – The Beach Boys

1971 found The Beach Boys in an odd spot. The pressures and stress of fame and maintaining a popular recording act had taken a toll on Brain Wilson. He had not been performing live with the band for some time and was contributing to the song writing process on a somewhat lesser level than previously. Into this situation, brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson stepped up and brought some A game material to the table and "Feel Flows" is a great example.

The song "Feel Flows" from their 1971 release Surf's Up was written by Carl Wilson and Jack Rieley. It's one of my absolute favorite songs. With it's calming yet melancholy subtle wash of sound; punctuated by an extended bridge highlighting a flute, playing against pointed electric guitar and keyboard.

Not only did Carl Wilson co-write the song; he also provides all vocals (the lead recorded with a well placed reverse echo effect) as well as lead guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. Additionally Charles Lloyd plays the saxophone and flute while Woody Theus provides percussion




Unfolding enveloping missiles of soul
Recall senses sadly
Mirage like soft blue like lanterns below
To light the way gladly
Whether whistling heaven's clouds disappear
Where the wind withers memory
Whether whiteness whisks soft shadows away
Feel flows (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)

Unbending never ending tablets of time
Record all the yearning
Unfearing all appearing message divine
Eases the burning
Whether willing witness waits at my mind
Whether hope dampens memory
Whether wondrous will stands tall at my side
Feel flows (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)

Encasing all embracing wreath of repose
Engulfs all the senses
Imposing, unclosing thoughts that compose
Retire the fences
Whether wholly heartened life fades away
Whether harps heal the memory
Whether wholly heartened life fades away
Whether wondrous will stands tall at my side
Whether whiteness whisks soft shadows away
Feel goes (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel flows (Black hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feel goes (White hot glistening shadowy flows)
Feelings to grow (White hot glistening shadowy flows)

White hot glistening shadowy flows
White hot glistening shadowy flows
White hot glistening shadowy flows