The realm of popular music continues to feel a profound sense of loss, as Brian Wilson, a titan and trailblazer in the world of pop music, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82. His impact will undeniably remain etched in the annals of pop culture, particularly for his depiction of California’s beach lifestyle through hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and for his groundbreaking contributions to pop music production with the album Pet Sounds.
In a tribute to Wilson’s death, the band stated that the tunes he conceived and the feelings he infused into every note redefined music in an enduring way. His extraordinary skill and distinctive essence composed the soundtracks for countless lives worldwide, ours included.
The Beach Boys, known for their timeless hits, have graced numerous films and television series with their distinctive tunes, ranging from “Almost Famous” to “Full House” and “Three Kings.” In a retrospective piece, The Hollywood Reporter highlights 10 of their most memorable appearances.
“Feel Flows,” ‘Almost Famous’
A few scenes in “Almost Famous” perfectly encapsulate its spirit, such as when William Miller experiences going backstage at a concert for the first time with “Feel Flows” playing in the background. This song adds an air of nostalgia and amazement, indicating that the young rock journalist’s life is about to take a drastic turn. The music was written and performed by Carl Wilson, with Brian Wilson providing backup vocals. According to Cameron Crowe, it embodies the realization of the aspirations The Beach Boys had for their artistic journey, and it also appears in the movie’s end credits.
“God Only Knows,” ‘Boogie Nights’
In Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 masterpiece, “God Only Knows” by Brian Wilson is significantly featured toward the end of the movie. This iconic song serves as a closing theme, tying up several character arcs: Linda (Roller Girl) decides to return to school, Buck sets up a record store, and Reed transitions into a different form of entertainment, abandoning pornography in favor of magic.
“Kokomo,” ‘Cocktail’
In the iconic use of the timeless yacht rock tune on screen, it’s worth noting that “Kokomo” from the movie “Cocktail,” released in 1988, holds a significant place. Despite being considered more of a cult classic than a mainstream success, the song was not sung by Brian Wilson. Tom Cruise, who played a bartender in the film, is known to recite poetry to large crowds of revelers, first in New York City and later in Jamaica. Interestingly, “Kokomo,” the second word of which is “Jamaica,” was written exclusively for this movie. The song earned a Grammy and Golden Globe nomination but lost both. However, it became the band’s first number-one hit in 22 years at that time and remains their last top 40 hit to date.
“Forever,” ‘Full House’
On Thursdays, we all looked forward to “Full House”, a classic show that was brimming with tunes from The Beach Boys – and even featured some of their members. What made it possible for the show to use these songs were the connections of Uncle Jesse, played by John Stamos. Intriguingly, Stamos had met The Beach Boys back in 1983. By the time “Full House” debuted on ABC in 1987, he had been performing with them (as a drummer) for two years already and continues to do so today. During an episode where Jesse got married to Becky (portrayed by Lori Loughlin in 1991), Stamos serenaded his TV spouse with the Beach Boys’ song “Forever” on the piano.
“Heroes and Villains,” ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’
Wes Anderson has often been recognized for his creative use of music in his movies, and The Beach Boys were prominently featured in the 2009 film Fantastic Mr. Fox. In the opening scene, “Heroes and Villains” played as we watched our cunning fox characters attempting to rob a squab farm. The lively tune that accompanied their stealthy pursuit of prey showcases Anderson’s signature quirky charm perfectly.
“Darlin,’” ‘The Big Bang Theory’
In the ninth season episode of “The Big Bang Theory,” titled “The Earworm Reverberation, ” Sheldon finds himself tormented by an earworm, a tune he can’t identify, humming it obsessively and even playing it on a tuba late at night. During a casual chat about Brian Wilson, he suddenly recognizes the song as “Darlin'” by The Beach Boys. In a touching turn of events, the reason this tune had become stuck in Sheldon’s mind was because he linked it to Amy’s influence on his life.
“Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” ’50 First Dates’
The selection of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ was quite apt for Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s 2004 romantic comedy, considering its beach-themed backdrop in Hawaii. The fittingness deepens when you consider that the film revolves around a woman who loses her memory each night, making it amusingly ironic as Sandler emotionally sings this song amidst tears during one scene.
“Good Vibrations,” ‘Us’
A popular song, which was famously used during the Sunkist soda advertising of the late ’70s and early ’80s, appeared in two significant movie scenes as well. In the 2001 film “Vanilla Sky,” the tune is played when Tom Cruise’s character, David Aames, discovers that his perceived reality was actually a dream created by a tech company named Life Extension. The song makes another unexpected appearance in Jordan Peele’s movie “Us” (2019), during a grim scene where the Wilson family (portrayed by Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker) are brutally killed by their doppelgangers at a vacation home.
“I Get Around,” ‘Three Kings’
In David O. Russell’s 1999 war satire, a team of U.S. soldiers stationed during the Gulf War (consisting of George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze) embark on an audacious plan to steal gold that Saddam Hussein had plundered. As they do so, they accidentally discover a bunker filled with civilian captives and lavish goods. The contrast of the cheerful Beach Boys’ music playing alongside the grim visuals creates a potent satire once more.
“All Summer Long,” ‘American Graffiti’
George Lucas’s groundbreaking movie includes not one, but two songs by The Beach Boys, with “Surfin’ Safari” and “All Summer Long” among them. This selection was fitting since The Beach Boys were strongly associated with the sound of youth during that era. “All Summer Long” is the song that appears in the credits for American Graffiti, a fact that was alluded to in an episode of The Simpsons more than twenty years later. (Over the years, The Simpsons have also incorporated several Beach Boys parodies and uses of their music in their ongoing series.)
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2025-06-13 01:55