Teaser // The Beach Boys: SUMMER IN PARADISE

Summary

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Jokermen Podcast: Teaser // The Beach Boys: SUMMER IN PARADISE

Date: November 3, 2025
Hosts: Jokermen (A and B)

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Episode Overview

This teaser episode of the Jokermen Podcast previews an in-depth discussion on Summer in Paradise, the much-maligned yet fascinating 1992 album by The Beach Boys. The hosts open with a tactile, lovingly detailed exploration of the album’s unique physical packaging before delving into Mike Love’s ambitious liner note manifesto. They combine curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism as they grapple with the album’s environmental messaging, its place in Beach Boys lore, and its notorious reputation.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to “Summer in Paradise” as Artifact

• The album is introduced as possibly “the last thing that you can even conceivably consider... a new Beach Boys effort from some of the original Beach Boys” (A, 00:19).
• There’s ambivalence about its place in the Beach Boys canon:

  "I don't even want to call this a real Beach Boys record necessarily..." (A, 00:15)

2. Immersive Description of the CD Packaging

• B reveals they own the album in a rare, elaborate “Eco Pack” format, marveling at its vibrant, densely illustrated presentation:

  • "A really, really densely, elaborate package... filled to the brim with frolicking creatures." (B, 01:09)
  • "If you look very closely... diagonal to the rainbow, above that beautiful green ridge of the mountains, there is a blimp that says Happy 30th." (B, 02:20)

• Notable artwork features:

  • Planets and space, dolphins, porpoises, American flags, and fireworks.
  • A pull-out poster and lush internal illustrations:
    "There's a lady, there's all these dolphins and, and porpoises..." (B, 02:09)
    "We've got a small poster, fold out." (B, 02:56)

• The lavish packaging seems to soften B's outlook on the music itself:

  "I think is actually going to be a big part of my opinion is sort of softened about this because I love the packaging so much." (B, 01:15)

3. Mike Love’s Rambling Liner Notes: Origin Story & Environmental Overtures

(Begins ~03:35)

• B reads from Mike Love’s liner notes, which are lengthy, earnest, and environmentally themed—with A's intermittent interjections and bemused reactions.

• Highlights from the liner notes include:

  • Mike and producer Terry Melcher’s inspiration supposedly sparked “literally walking in the sand on Martha’s finger” (meaning Martha’s Vineyard):

    “The summer of 91 found Terry and I literally walking in the sand on Martha’s finger.” (B reading as Mike, 03:41)

  • A reacts:
    “Oh, God. All right.” (A, 03:47)

  • Nostalgia and the idea of updating the Beach Boys' legacy for a new era:

    “We wondered what the Beach Boys first song, Surfin', would sound like had we started out in the 90s instead of the 60s. The result was the new version of Surfin'.” (B reading as Mike, 05:12) A deadpans in response: “It sure was.” (A, 05:23)

  • Overview of track concepts (e.g., “Island Fever” as “the cousin of Kokomo,” “Lahaina Aloha” as “more of an adult island encounter,” etc.)

• Mike Love’s pivot to environmental concerns:

  “The destruction and burning of the world's tropical rainforests and the increasing use of fossil fuels and CFCs are most certain to lead to global warming. Without the ozone layer... the sun's rays, instead of being the blessing we have always heard them to be, will become increasingly lethal.” (B reading as Mike, 08:23)

  • The hosts note the odd, “woke” flavor and tongue-in-cheek reporting of apocalyptic environmental scenarios, balanced by Beach Boys whimsy:

    "But maybe there's an upside to apathy. After all, there will be a whole new coastline with new surfing spots opening all across the nation and around the world..." (B reading as Mike, 09:01)

4. Hosts’ Reactions to Liner Notes and Art

• The hosts express genuine surprise at the effort behind both the packaging and the liner notes, paired with humor:
  • "Thank you, Mike. That was quite. That was quite a statement there." (A, 09:21)
  • A seems taken aback by the environmental messaging and the existence of the original commissioned painting by Robert Lynn Nelson (B, 09:39).
  • B relates to the environmental call-to-arms:

    "It does have the desired effect upon me. It makes me think we must protect this precious world and also this sweet babe with this Beach Boys branded surfboard in the foreground." (B, 09:45)

  • The discussion wryly notes this dual call to “protect hot babes and hot porpoises”—the interests at the heart of Beach Boys mythology (A, 10:08).

5. Cultural Geography and “Walking in the Sand”

• The hosts ponder the origins and literal/figurative meanings behind “walking in the sand,” and joke about Mike Love belonging strictly to California beaches, not Martha’s Vineyard:

  "Mike Love. You belong on west coast beaches. You belong on California beaches." (A, 11:15)

• They explore the song’s cover status and title confusion (“Remember/Walking in the Sand”).

6. Setting Up the Album Deep-Dive

• The package and liner notes prepare the hosts for a “difficult conversation” about the actual music:

  "Maybe like the part of a difficult conversation where, you know, you sit down, you take your. Take a load off. And then we face the music." (B, 11:58)

  • The closing sentiment underscores a sense of bracing for the notorious content of the album itself.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the package softening harsh opinion:
  "I think is actually going to be a big part of my opinion is sort of softened about this because I love the packaging so much."
  — B (01:15)

• Mike Love’s eco-manifesto, re-contextualized:
  "Without the ozone layer, Mike Love's gone woke the sun's rays, instead of being the blessing we have always heard them to be, will become increasingly lethal."
  — B reading Mike, with A’s aside (08:40)

• Hosts’ tongue-in-cheek mission statement:
  "These are what we sing about in this. In our own way, in our own small way, we sing about these things by making a podcast."
  — B (10:14)

• On the overall lore and reality of the album:
  "Maybe more than I ever wanted to know about Summer in Paradise. I do love that he spent, or someone spent that much time and energy explaining, spieling off this entire origin story for the most. Some of the most insipid music that you will ever listen to."
  — A (10:38)

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Noteworthy Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction and album status in Beach Boys canon
• 01:01 – Detailed walkthrough of the CD’s art and packaging
• 03:39 – Mike Love’s liner notes and environmental pitch
• 08:23 – Climate change and environmentalism in the liner notes
• 09:21 – Reaction to the liner notes' sweeping ambition
• 10:08 – The protectiveness over babes, porpoises, and the planet
• 11:15 – Geographic/geocultural associations: Martha’s Vineyard vs. California
• 11:58 – Facing the musical reality of Summer in Paradise

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Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is marked by an affectionate skepticism and comic sensibility, balancing sincere curiosity about the album’s ambitions and presentation with the acknowledgment of its critical reputation. The hosts tease deeper musical analysis to come, braced for the challenge with humor and an appreciation for the album’s unexpected environmental earnestness and lavish physical design.

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Transcript

[A]

On that note, Root Beer, of course, was an instrumental part of the early Beach Boys records, as was a certain song that might appear on the album that we're talking about today. In fact, the very first Beach Boys song to ever be recorded reappears here on this inspired effort, Summer in Paradise. The last, like kind of the last. I don't even want to call this a real Beach Boys record necessarily, but the last thing that you can even conceivably consider, like it's a new Beach Boys effort from some of the original Beach Boys, because the last two are either the. Oh, wow. Do you have a compact disc?

[B]

I do. This is a Beach Boys cd. I think before you say anything, you know, you say, oh, it's not even a real Beach Boys album. But if you're holding this physical copy in your hand as I am, is.

[A]

It like a gatefold, like opening? And wow.

[B]

It's like in this thing called an Eco Pack. Jewel box, of course.

[A]

Eco pack.

[B]

And it is. Yeah. A really, really densely, elaborate package, which.

[A]

That's a beautiful item.

[B]

I think is actually going to be a big part of my opinion is sort of softened about this because I love the packaging so much. It's an incredibly jam packed and detailed illustration of the sky, the land and the sea filled to the brim with frolicking creatures.

[A]

Am I seeing like space and like planets on one area?

[B]

Well, you keep going high up enough and you get, you get planets in space. And then, wow. On the other side there's, you know, a huge, there's a huge whale on the front. And then there's all these creatures and, and a lady.

[A]

Wow. Dolphins. The American flag. A babe. This is great. And I didn't realize that this was so extensive.

[B]

There's a lady, there's all these dolphins and, and porpoises. And then if you look very closely next to the above. Yeah. Diagonal to the rainbow, above that beautiful green ridge of the mountains, there is a blimp that says Happy 30th.

[A]

Wow. 30th.

[B]

On the inside we've got a turtle swimming with a colorful array of tropical fish. There's a waterfall and here's the. Well, okay, one more thing. There's a, a forest, rainforest, jungle type scene there. Yeah. A very kind of relatively placid jungle scene with some birds. And then as if that weren't enough.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

We've got a small poster, fold out.

[A]

Poster of the entire thing. Wow.

[B]

Which also features the, the information that you would want to know on the back.

[A]

Yeah. All the credits. The very Important lyrics and songwriting credits for this album. You're gonna have to post like a whole instag like breakdown of this packaging. I didn't realize that this was so extensive. I'm charmed already.

[B]

Yeah. There's a car alarm going off.

[A]

Well, I can't hear it.

[B]

Summer in Paradise. Yeah, it actually does have the lyrics just to Summer in Paradise.

[A]

It seems just the one song.

[B]

Oh, and there's some liner notes here. Can I read these too?

[A]

Sure, yeah. Go for it.

[B]

The summer of 91 found Terry and I literally walking in the sand on Martha's finger.

[A]

Oh, God. All right.

[B]

Discussing ideas that would ultimately result in creating this album. Fuck. There's. Yeah. Really annoying car alarm. Right. Right as I'm reading this. But whatever. I'm rolling with it. Seeing all the people on the beach, taking full advantage of the sun. This is Mike, by the way. If that wasn't clear. I'm shocked of the sun, sand and surf. We. There's a hole in there. Yeah. We couldn't help but observe that this was truly summer in paradise. We then set out to design an album that would be the quintessential soundtrack of summer. And we recorded over the past.

[A]

There's a new concept on the Pacific.

[B]

Coast at Carmel, right down where you are.

[A]

Hey. Wow.

[B]

Hot Fun in the Summertime. Under the Boardwalk and Walking in the sand are the very. What's Walking in the Sand? That's not even on here.

[A]

It is on there. You haven't been listening to Walking in the Sand?

[B]

Oh, I guess it's called Remember, Remember.

[A]

Quote, Walking in the Sand.

[B]

All right. Remember and Walking in the sand are very. Are the very essence of the sound of summer, highlighted by Carl's awesome vocals. It feels good to be able to do some of our favorite songs of a bygone era that we hope are some of your favorites. We wondered what the Beach Boys first song, Surfin, would sound like had we started out in the 90s instead of the 60s. The result was the new version of Surfin.

[A]

It sure was.

[B]

It really is incredible to hear your first song recorded in a new musical context 30 years later. Summer of Love in a mid-60s Beach Boys style is light and fun. Totally for the young. Totally. Yeah, for sure. We have included Island Fever. We have included Island Fever, Lahaina, Aloha, Surfing and Still Surfing.

[A]

Still Surf, Surfing and Still Surfing, which.

[B]

Complement the songs of summer with their year round tropical themes. Island Fever, the cousin of Kokomo, deals whimsically with the eternal topic of tropical wanderlust. While Lahaina Aloha deals with a bit more of an adult island encounter. Still, surfing has a mystical quality. We hope it captures for listeners young and old the spirit and feelings that have always been and will always be part of surfing.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

For romantics, this is pretty long. I was wondering.

[A]

He's still going on. Oh, I thought that was the end.

[B]

Where for romantics? Where would a summer night be without some slow summer dancing? This one, an artful merger of the classic one summer night might make you feel lost in the 60s. Alan carries the lead in the chorus with original verses written and performed by Bruce we'd like to thank John Stamos for contributing his energy and talents to the Beach Boys concerts year after year. Longtime Beach Boys aficionados as well as John's multitude of fans are certain to appreciate his contribution to this album. The song Forever written by Dennis Wilson, Strange Things Happen could be about the daughter of a flower child of the 60s, caring and conscious. This new age lady's heart and mind give her an added dimension of depth and desirability. I take the lead in the verse with Alan's crystal clear delivery highlighting the chorus. The Beach Boys trip to Rio de Janeiro during the Earth Summit gave rise to the lyric in the last verse that brings us to the title song of the album, Summer in Paradise. We hope that, as the lyrics to the song say, people will get together and make things right. But if they don't, what do we have to look forward to? The destruction and burning of the world's tropical rainforests and the increasing use of fossil fuels and CFCs are most certain to lead to global warming. Wow. Without the ozone layer, Mike Love's gone woke the sun's rays, instead of being the blessing we have always heard them to be, will become increasingly lethal. As a result, most of our favorite beaches may disappear. But maybe there's an upside to apathy. After all, there will be a whole new coastline with new surfing spots opening all across the nation and around the world. The temperature meanwhile, will hit some all time highs. A veritable endless summer, 365 days a year. We can try to make light of it, but these issues are far too important to ignore. We all share a responsibility to create a safe and secure environment wherein all life can thrive. We included this poster in the album as our gift to you. We hope it inspires a greater sense of appreciation of our planet's fragile beauty and diversity of life. Our gratitude and appreciation goes to Robert Lynn Nelson for the masterful original painting for Summer in Paradise, which says more Eloquently than any written word just how precious and in need of protection our environment truly is. If we all get together, just perhaps we can make things right and bring back summer in Paradise.

[A]

Is that actually it this time, Mike Love? Okay. Wow. Thank you, Mike. That was quite. That was quite a statement there. Um, Boy, I didn't realize that was an original painting. Robert Lynn Nelson, man, where's that painting? We gotta find that. We gotta buy that.

[B]

I find it very beautiful.

[A]

I agree.

[B]

I also do like the. I like that there's an American flag above this.

[A]

Fireworks.

[B]

All of this and fireworks and the. And the moon and planets. And it does have the desired effect upon me. It makes me think we must protect this precious world and also this sweet babe with this Beach Boys branded surfboard in the foreground.

[A]

That's right. Those are the things that we must protect. Hot babes and hot porpoises.

[B]

Because these are the things that are our muse. These are what we sing about. And this is what we sing about in this. In our own way, in our own small way, we sing about these things by making a podcast. And we hope that this podcast can bring you a greater sense of understanding about the world in which it appears.

[A]

Thank you, Evan love. Gee, well, that's. That's. That's more than I ever even knew about Summer in Paradise. Maybe more than I ever wanted to know about Summer in Paradise. I do love that he spent, or someone spent that much time and energy explaining, spieling off this entire origin story for the most. Some of the most insipid music that you will ever listen to.

[B]

They maybe perhaps wrote that after the.

[A]

Album was fitting some facts to the narrative. Yeah, exactly. Did I hear correctly? Mike and Terry Melcher were in, like, Martha's Vineyard?

[B]

Yeah. Literally walking on the beach.

[A]

Wow. I don't like that. Mike Love. You belong on west coast beaches. You belong on California beaches.

[B]

Literally.

[A]

Vineyard.

[B]

Literally walking on the sand. I guess that's why that he said that we were literally walking on the sand. Although that kind of supposes that the song is not about literally walking on the sand, but I think it is.

[A]

It is. It is. It is a cover.

[B]

It's not a metaphor in that song for something, is it? Well, we'll walk upon every grain of sand.

[A]

You know, when you think about it, everything is sort of a metaphor in. In one way or another. It can be at least, well, beautiful.

[B]

Package, which I think we can take to be maybe like the part of a difficult conversation where, you know, you sit down, you take your. Take a load off. And then we face the music.

[A]

And face the music we.