Break Away (The Beach Boys Song)

Break Away (The Beach Boys Song)

"Break Away" (occasionally listed as Breakaway) is a song recorded by The Beach Boys in 1969. It was written by Brian Wilson and his father Murry Wilson, who is credited as lyricist under the pseudonym "Reggie Dunbar". Sometimes ranked as one of the band's stronger songs, it was a relatively unsuccessful single, charting at #63 in US Billboard (top 40 in Cash Box and Record World charts), but selling more strongly abroad (#6 UK).

After the Smiley Smile sessions, Brian Wilson served as less of a band leader in the studio. Between Surfer Girl and the "Heroes and Villains" single, Brian was credited as producer; thereafter production credits were assigned to "The Beach Boys". "Break Away" was the last release (aside from the single "Cool, Cool Water") on which he was named as producer until "Child of Winter" in 1974.

"Break Away" features Carl Wilson singing verses (with Mike Love) and Al Jardine (with Brian Wilson) on the chorus. Initially, the song was planned to be released with Brian Wilson singing the first verse, as included on the 2001 compilation, Hawthorne, CA. Early stereo studio mixes of this title provide verification, but these remixes are illicit.

Brian has said that The Monkees inspired him to write this song.

Many commentators point out that the title of the song is a hidden message of relief, as The Beach Boys break away from Capitol records with their final single. Capitol had been under-promoting The Beach Boys (not knowing how to change from publicizing them as a purely street-surf-summer band) and under-documenting their sales. Having sued their record company, The Beach Boys were glad to break away from that relationship.