Wilson and Sachen wrote lyrics to the song that criticized people who abuse LSD as a form of escapism. After Love voiced objections to its drug references, Wilson allowed him to revise the message to be about finding meaning within oneself. Although the references to "ego" were eliminated, the key line "they trip through the day and waste all their thoughts at night" remained. In 1990, an earlier mix of the song, featuring the group singing alternate lyrics, was released as a bonus track on the album's CD reissue. Cover versions of the song have been recorded by artists such as Sonic Youth and the Pixies' Frank Black.