Recently, Brian Wilson, the leader and chief songwriter for the legendary Beach Boys, passed away. As often happens when a notable musician passes away, it has seemed like Wilson’s music has been everywhere once again. So many of the Beach Boys’ tunes are classics—the kinds of classics that get stuck in your head so that you find yourself humming them days and days after you last heard them.
Among the band’s biggest hits is “Surfin’ Safari,” which, we were somewhat surprised to realize, is relevant to folks in recovery from a substance use disorder—even if Wilson and his bandmates did not know it.
Once we realized that this classic number could be applied to an aspect of the recovery journey, we realized some other oldies but goodies could be applied as well. Let’s consider three such songs—including “Surfin’ Safari.”
“Surfin’ Safari” by the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys were ready for summer fun in 1962. That’s the year “Surfin’ Safari” hit the airwaves. Wilson didn’t necessarily think it was a masterwork, calling it “a silly song…that I came up with one day while trying to play the piano the way Chuck Berry played his guitar.”
The song kicks off with a suggestion: “Let’s go surfin’ now/ everybody’s learning how/ come on and safari with me.” As it would turn out, those opening lines can be a useful reminder for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. But you don’t need a longboard to do the kind of surfing we are referring to. Instead, we’re talking about something called “urge surfing.”
Urge surfing is a kind of mindfulness practice that can help a person who is experiencing cravings for drugs or alcohol successfully manage the moment. When you are urge surfing, you alternate your focus between the physical manifestations of your cravings in your body and your breath. To connect it with the kind of surfing the Beach Boys so frequently sang about, think of a craving as a wave and your breathing as a surfboard you are skillfully riding.
“Come On Get Happy” by The Partridge Family
Jumping from the 1960s to the 1970s, we arrive at the theme song to a sitcom about the misadventures of a family band. “Come On Get Happy” is short on depth but long on catchiness—and one of the verses is relevant to recovery:
We had a dream we’d go travelin’ together
And spread a little lovin’, then we’ll keep movin’ on
Somethin’ always happens whenever we’re together
We get a happy feelin’ when we’re singin’ a song
Togetherness is a key idea when it comes to recovery (and “together” is so central to the song that they rhyme it with itself!) Surrounding yourself with supportive family and friends is a wonderful way to firm up the foundations of your ongoing recovery. So is attending a 12-Step (or other recovery program) meeting because the folks in those meetings know just what you have gone through and are going through as your recovery journey continues.
The last line in the first is all about the band members getting a happy feeling when they sing. It is a good reminder that listening to and making music are excellent ways to support your mental health and your recovery.
“Straighten Up and Fly Right” by Nat ‘King’ Cole
Let’s jump back to the early 1940s and Nat ‘King’ Cole’s very first smash hit. “Straighten Up and Fly Right” tells the story of a buzzard who “took the monkey for a ride in the air.” When the buzzard tries to “throw the monkey off his back,” and the monkey makes demands that the buzzard “straighten up and fly right.”
As it happens, straightening up is a great way to reduce stress. Even just sorting a single pile on your desk can offer you a boost—and cleaning a whole room offers even more potential stress reduction. Reducing your overall levels of stress is essential to maintaining your recovery over the long haul, so getting in the habit of tidying up can result in big benefits.
We’ve Turned to Music to Talk About Recovery Before
One more (musical) note: This is not the first time we have used songs as a way to explore recovery themes. In fact, we have penned enough blog posts built around songs to fill a jukebox. You can find a roundup of those previous blogs here.
We Will Help You Reclaim the Song in Your Heart
At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we provide personalized, evidence-based treatment plans for individuals struggling with a substance use disorder. We also provide treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and issues grounded in trauma. We offer medically supervised detoxification, a rehabilitation program built around group and individual therapy, and a continuum of care designed to support you as your recovery journey gets underway.
Wooded Glen Recovery Center is consistently recognized as one of the best substance use disorder treatment centers in the country. That means that when you are ready to reclaim your life—the song in your heart, if you will—we are ready to help.