The concept of '' Smile '' did not lend itself to any formal narrative development , only to themes and experiences ; though '' Smile '' references some specifically , it is only in passing . Most of the album 's thematic direction was given to Parks with hardly any instruction from Wilson . Together , the two desired a back-to-basics approach to songwriting , as Wilson summarized , " We wanted to capture something as basic as the mood of water and fire . " It is generally acknowledged that Wilson and Parks intended '' Smile '' to be explicitly American in style and subject , a conscious reaction to the overwhelming British dominance of popular music at the time . It was conceived as a musical journey across America from east to west , beginning at Plymouth Rock and ending in Hawaii , traversing some of the great themes of modern American history and culture including the impact of white settlement on Native Americans , the influence of the Spanish , the Wild West and the opening up of the country by railroad and highway . Some historical events touched upon range from Manifest destiny , American imperialism , westward expansion , the Great Chicago Fire , and the Industrial Revolution
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Smile (The Beach Boys album)