Never Learn Not to Love

"Never Learn Not to Love"
Single by the Beach Boys
from the album 20/20
A-side	"Bluebirds over the Mountain"
Released	December 2, 1968 (1968-12-02)
Recorded	September 11, 16–18, 1968
Studio	Beach Boys, Los Angeles
Length	2:08 (single version)[1] 2:31 (album version)[2]
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Dennis Wilson
Producer(s)	Dennis Wilson
The Beach Boys singles chronology
"Do It Again" (1968) "Never Learn Not to Love" (1968) "I Can Hear Music" (1969)
Licensed audio
"Never Learn Not to Love (Remastered 2001)" on YouTube

"Never Learn Not to Love" is a song recorded by the American rock band the Beach Boys that was issued as the B-side to their "Bluebirds over the Mountain" single on December 2, 1968. Credited to Dennis Wilson, the song is an altered version of "Cease to Exist", written by the Manson Family cult leader Charles Manson. The blues-inspired song was written specifically for the Beach Boys, with Manson's lyrics addressing personal tensions that he had witnessed between Dennis and his brothers Brian and Carl.

Manson attended but did not participate in the recording of "Never Learn Not to Love", held at the Beach Boys' private studio in September 1968. The group reworked the song considerably and expanded the arrangement to include backing vocals, piano, guitar, bass, drums, organ, and sleigh bells. Manson was unperturbed by the musical changes, but incensed that they had altered his lyrics. By Dennis' account, Manson had voluntarily exchanged his official writing credit for a sum of cash and a motorcycle. Conversely, band engineer Stephen Desper said that the group had omitted Manson's credit as retribution for his thievery.

In February 1969, an extended edit of "Never Learn Not to Love" was included on the Beach Boys' album 20/20. The band performed the song during an April 1969 appearance on The Mike Douglas Show. Alternate versions and session highlights from the song's recording were released on the 2018 compilation I Can Hear Music: The 20/20 Sessions. A 1968 recording of Manson performing "Cease to Exist" appeared on his first album, Lie: The Love and Terror Cult, released in March 1970.