Tony Asher
Encyclopedia
Tony Asher is an American
lyricist who co-wrote much of The Beach Boys
1966 album Pet Sounds
in conjunction with front man Brian Wilson
, including such classic songs as "God Only Knows
" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice
". Asher, who formally only helped Wilson's ideas come into words, still managed to have some influence on the album.
In Asher's own words, "The general tenor of the lyrics was always [Brian's], and the actual choice of words was usually mine. I was really just his interpreter."
Looking for a clean break from the by-then-famous "Beach Boys sound" (associated with surfing
and cars) and not wanting to collaborate with any of the songwriters with whom he had previously worked, Wilson called Asher—an advertising copywriter whom he barely knew—in early January 1966 and within ten days they had started to write what would eventually become Pet Sounds
, one of the Beach Boys' most influential albums.
Asher's original draft lyrics for "Good Vibrations
", replaced by Wilson and Mike Love
on the hit single version, were eventually re-recorded for the version released on Brian Wilson Presents Smile
.
After Pet Sounds, he collaborated with Roger Nichols (songwriter)
.
Asher has one son, Evan, and lives with his wife Sheryl in Los Angeles.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lyricist who co-wrote much of The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
1966 album Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band The Beach Boys, released May 16, 1966, on Capitol Records. It has since been recognized as one of the most influential records in the history of popular music and one of the best albums of the 1960s, including songs such as "Wouldn't...
in conjunction with front man Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, including such classic songs as "God Only Knows
God Only Knows
"God Only Knows" is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys. It is the eighth track on the group's 11th studio album, Pet Sounds , and one of their most widely recognized songs. "God Only Knows" was composed and produced by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Tony Asher and lead vocal by Carl...
" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice
Wouldn't It Be Nice
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" is the opening track on the 1966 album Pet Sounds and one of the most widely recognized songs by the American rock band The Beach Boys...
". Asher, who formally only helped Wilson's ideas come into words, still managed to have some influence on the album.
In Asher's own words, "The general tenor of the lyrics was always [Brian's], and the actual choice of words was usually mine. I was really just his interpreter."
Looking for a clean break from the by-then-famous "Beach Boys sound" (associated with surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
and cars) and not wanting to collaborate with any of the songwriters with whom he had previously worked, Wilson called Asher—an advertising copywriter whom he barely knew—in early January 1966 and within ten days they had started to write what would eventually become Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band The Beach Boys, released May 16, 1966, on Capitol Records. It has since been recognized as one of the most influential records in the history of popular music and one of the best albums of the 1960s, including songs such as "Wouldn't...
, one of the Beach Boys' most influential albums.
Asher's original draft lyrics for "Good Vibrations
Good Vibrations
"Good Vibrations" is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys. Composed and produced by Brian Wilson, the song's lyrics were written by Wilson and Mike Love....
", replaced by Wilson and Mike Love
Mike Love
Michael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
on the hit single version, were eventually re-recorded for the version released on Brian Wilson Presents Smile
Smile (Brian Wilson album)
Smile, sometimes typeset with the idiosyncratic partial capitalization SMiLE, or referred to as Brian Wilson Presents Smile is a solo album by Brian Wilson, with lyrics by Van Dyke Parks released on September 28, 2004 on CD and two-disc vinyl LP...
.
After Pet Sounds, he collaborated with Roger Nichols (songwriter)
Roger Nichols (songwriter)
Roger Nichols Roger Nichols Roger Nichols (born in Missoula, Montana, is an American composer and songwriter. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays violin, guitar, bass, and piano.-Biography:...
.
Asher has one son, Evan, and lives with his wife Sheryl in Los Angeles.