Blog Archives
FlinterFile: Wilson Phillips- Release Me
The harmony of Wilson Phillips sold well in 1990. Read the rest of this entry
FlinterFile: The Beach Boys- Sloop John B.
In 1966, the Beach Boys released their legendary album Pet Sounds. Read the rest of this entry
Song of the day: Jan & Dean- Surf City
In 1963, Jan Berry and Brian Wilson (the Beach Boys) wrote a surf song. Brian Wilson had already written a draft of this song, and he also had written Surfin’ U.S.A.. Wilson played the last song to Jan, and he wanted to record the song, but Brian Wilson wanted to record it with the Beach Boys. He then gave the draft of Surf City to Jan Berry. He took the song, worked on it and so Jan & Dean were the first to record the song about a city where there were two girls for every boy. It was the first surf song to reach number 1 in the US. Enjoy
Jan & Dean- Surf City
Song of the day: The Beach Boys- God Only Knows
In 1966, the Beach Boys released their most famous album ever: Pet Sounds. On this album, the eight track was God Only Knows. The song was written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher, and it made use of all sorts of instruments which were normally not used in a pop single. These instruments included violins, a French horn and cellos. In the US, this song was the B-side to Wouldn’t It Be Nice, in the rest of the world this was the A-side. In other words: this single had a double A-side. In the UK this became a number 2 hit, in the US it ended on number 39. Enjoy
The Beach Boys- God Only Knows
Song of the day: The Ronettes- Be My Baby
Again a song produced by Phil Spector, and it’s a good example of his Wall of Sound technique. The song would be the first one to have a complete orchestra play the music! The Ronettes would record it in 1963, and for some it is seen as the inspiration for both the Beatles and the Beach Boys! Actually, Brian Wilson did say his Don’t Worry Baby was a male answer to this song. Later he would play the song several times live. The original song would do a staggering number 2 in the US, with over two million singles sold. Enjoy
The Ronettes- Be My Baby