When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)

Album: Today! (1964)
Charted: 27 9
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys wrote this song and shared vocal duties. Wilson explained to Goldmine in 2011: "'When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)' was inspired about what it was gonna be like to grow up. Will I like the things then as I did now? I wrote that in my early twenties. As I look back on that I am happy with my life now and I didn't think I would be."
  • This is the theme song to the TV show Men of a Certain Age. The lyrics are a bit of a mismatch, as the characters in the show are already grown up.

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 30th 1964, "When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)" by the Beach Boys entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #83; and on October 11th, 1964 it peaked at #9 {for 2 weeks} and spent 10 weeks on the Top 100...
    On October 13th, 1964 it reached #1 {for 2 weeks} on the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart...
    The record's B-side, "Wendy", also made the Top 100 chart; it reached #44 and stayed on the chart for 6 weeks...
    R.I.P. Dennis Wilson {1944-1983} and Carl Wilson {1946-1998}.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Janet Jackson

Janet JacksonFact or Fiction

Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."