The album Friends was released in 1968 and was the fifteenth album officially released by The Beach Boys. While Wild Honey had found the band on an R&B kick, Friends was a far more contemplative affair, heavily influenced by transcendental meditation. (Singer Mike Love had recently returned from India, where he had spent time with The Beatles absorbing the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.)

Although Brian Wilson was by this time severely affected by mental illness and heavy drug use, he managed to contribute a handful of memorable, if offbeat compositions, especially the album's title track (evidently an appeal to his fractious bandmates) and the downright disarming "Busy Doin' Nothin'," where a slightly cracked Brian gives the listener directions to his house in Bel Air. Dennis Wilson also shines as a songwriter of his own for the first time on the lovely "Little Bird" and "Be Still."

Track Listing

1. "Meant For You" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love)
2. "Friends" (Brian Wilson/Carl Wilson/Dennis Wilson/Al Jardine)
3. "Wake The World" (Brian Wilson/Al Jardine)
4. "Be Here In The Morning" (Brian Wilson/Carl Wilson/Mike Love/Dennis Wilson/Al Jardine)
5. "When A Man Needs A Woman" (Brian Wilson/Dennis Wilson/Al Jardine/Steve Korthof/Jon Parks)
6. "Passing By" (Brian Wilson)
7. "Anna Lee, The Healer" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love)
8. "Little Bird" (Dennis Wilson/Steve Kalinach)
9. "Be Still" (Dennis Wilson/Steve Kalinach)
10. "Busy Doin' Nothin'" (Brian Wilson)
11. "Diamond Head" (Al Vescovo/Lyle Ritz/Jim Ackley/Brian Wilson)
12. "Transcendental Meditation" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love/Al Jardine)