"Lahaina Aloha" is the last great Beach Boys song.
The 'Summer In Paradise' album this song is on was the Beach Boys' last (1992), and their least successful (the only one not to chart). It has been ridiculed up and down as an embarassing disaster, but that's not entirely the case. The album is bad because of three things: 1) It wanted to continue where "Kokomo" left off and they screwed it up; 2) half the songs are unlistenably and outright terrible; and 3) it's good stuff is mired in all the crap so no one knew it was there. But there's great stuff if you can find it... such as this song.
As I said, it's their last great song: a lost gem. It has everything you'd want from the Beach Boys - at this time in their career anyway. The opening lyric "Where the sea breeze sways the palm trees, paradise awaits..." is gorgeous poetry for any Beach Boys fan. I won't break the song down, the whole thing is perfect.
As for the meaning, it's about 2 people who fall in love one night in Lahaina, Hawaii, but the guy has to leave on his ship and doesn't know when he'll ever be back.
On top of it being great, it's also a poignant last great chorus for Carl Wilson who had only a few years left... we know he wanted to, but couldn't stay...
and with that he, and the Beach Boys, sailed into the sunset.
The Swing Kingon January 21, 2007 Link
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