The Beach Boys' Misstep: 'Ten Little Indians' and the Early Struggles
The legendary band The Beach Boys, led by the genius Brian Wilson, had a knack for creating timeless hits. But even the greatest artists make mistakes. One such misstep was the song 'Ten Little Indians', which has since been called a "huge disaster" by former member Al Jardine.
In the early days of their career, The Beach Boys were still finding their footing. Their debut album, 'Surfin' Safari', was a steep learning curve for Wilson, who was only 20 years old at the time. Despite the album's short runtime of less than 25 minutes, it showcased the band's potential, but also their flaws.
The song 'Ten Little Indians' stands out as a regretful moment in their early career. Based on a nursery rhyme, the track was not only poorly executed but also contained a racial slur, with Wilson singing the word 'squaw' repeatedly. This word, used to describe Native American women, has since been recognized as racist by the United States Department of the Interior.
Al Jardine, in a 2022 interview, recalled the song's failure, stating, "We just came off a bomb, a huge disaster called 'Ten Little Indians.'" The label's enthusiasm for the band was evident, but the song's poor reception and racial insensitivity could have damaged their reputation. Thankfully, The Beach Boys' overall success and cachet allowed them to move past this blunder.
Despite the setback, The Beach Boys continued to thrive, and their debut album remains a significant part of their early legacy. While 'Ten Little Indians' is a reminder of their early struggles, it also highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and the resilience of a true artistic vision.
