Songs That Never Made It Out Of The Studio

[Jonathan Blum]

The one downside for me out of all the positive buzz for the new album, is that most of the songs on it will probably never be played live.  The roaring success of the tour depends on it being packed with hits, and deep cuts for the fans...  that doesn't leave a lot of space for new titles.  I can't see them doing any shows which are the equivalent of the gorgeous "That Lucky Old Sun" concerts, or even the Gershwin mini-set we got in Sydney.

And that got me thinking.  Out of everything the Beach Boys have done in the past (say) 30 years, how many of those tracks have actually ever been played live?  Two and a half full albums, an assortment of singles...  How much of that output never made it out of the studio?  Even before they lost Dennis, from the first Brian's Back onwards, my impression from Eric's setlist archive is that they'd only do about four songs at most from their most recent album, and one or two from the last few.

So, did all these other songs never see the light of a concert stage?  Or are there a couple of obscure dates on which they played "Make It Big" or "In My Car" or "Passing Friend" or "Remember (Walking In The Sand)"?

Is it easier just to list the songs that *have* been played?

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[MBE]

Good subject. Eric's website is the place to look.

[Aegir]

oh man, I would kill to hear a live recording of Passing Friend.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The one downside for me out of all the positive buzz for the new album, is that most of the songs on it will probably never be played live.  The roaring success of the tour depends on it being packed with hits, and deep cuts for the fans...  that doesn't leave a lot of space for new titles.  I can't see them doing any shows which are the equivalent of the gorgeous "That Lucky Old Sun" concerts, or even the Gershwin mini-set we got in Sydney.

And that got me thinking.  Out of everything the Beach Boys have done in the past (say) 30 years, how many of those tracks have actually ever been played live?  Two and a half full albums, an assortment of singles...  How much of that output never made it out of the studio?  Even before they lost Dennis, from the first Brian's Back onwards, my impression from Eric's setlist archive is that they'd only do about four songs at most from their most recent album, and one or two from the last few.

So, did all these other songs never see the light of a concert stage?  Or are there a couple of obscure dates on which they played "Make It Big" or "In My Car" or "Passing Friend" or "Remember (Walking In The Sand)"?

Is it easier just to list the songs that *have* been played?

Cheers,
Jon Blum

Brian's done "In My Car" live during one of his mini-sets within the main BB show in 1989. It wasn't good.

[Kirk]

The video of "In My Car" from the Endless Summer TV show used to be on YouTube. It was painful to watch. Anybody who thinks Brian ought to get out from behind the keyboard more in concert needs to remember how awkward those choreographed "dance" steps were in the Landy leatherpants era.

[37!ws]

What's more disturbing? Brian doing a choreographed dance in leather pants, or grabbing his crotch immediately before shaking Dick Clark's hand?

[Kirk]

Ha---yes, wonderful image. But Dick Clark didn't mind. That's how the Philly mob goombahs used to greet him in the payola days.

[Jonathan Blum]

After a bit of a rummage on Eric's site, I think these are the songs from 1980 onwards which never made it to the stage:

Oh Darlin
Sunshine
When Girls Get Together
Endless Harmony

Maybe I Don't Know
Passing Friend
I'm So Lonely
Where I Belong
I Do Love You
It's Just A Matter Of Time
Male Ego

Happy Endings

Make It Big
Island Girl

Summer of Love
Island Fever
Still Surfin'
Slow Summer Dancin' (One Summer Night)
Strange Things Happen
Remember (Walking in the Sand)
Lahaina Aloha

...To be honest, I thought there'd be more!  I'm surprised to find how many songs they actually tried to play at least once.  And they did five songs from SIP that I could find -- though admittedly two of them were "Surfin" and "Forever", and another two were oldies!

Out of all that list, there's not much that stands out as a great omission, frankly.  Though personally I'd kinda love an encore of "Male Ego" on the new tour.  Betcha boys we'll be doing it in our eighties...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Aegir]

I don't think they ever played the SIP arrangements of either of those songs, did they? Even when they do Forever with Stamos they play the Sunflower arrangement.

[hypehat]

Does this mean..... there is a recording of them playing It's Getting Late? Would freak out to hear that.

[Jay]

Oh Darlin was technically played in front of an audience, but it was lip synched for a tv show. Same thing with Sunshine. It's Just A Matter of Time was performed a few times back in 1983, but I think it was just Brian solo at the piano, and with different lyrics that weren't used on the studio version.

[Amanda Hart]

Oh Darlin was technically played in front of an audience, but it was lip synched for a tv show. Same thing with Sunshine. It's Just A Matter of Time was performed a few times back in 1983, but I think it was just Brian solo at the piano, and with different lyrics that weren't used on the studio version.

I've heard a recording of Brian doing It's Just A Matter of Time solo, with slightly different lyrics. I have no idea what the context of that recording is though. He also plays, IIRC, Surfer Girl and ...something else, maybe God Only Knows? He does a little bit of talking/storytelling before each one. Sounds like it is probably at some sort of private event, maybe a record company function or something.

[Jim V.]

I know for a fact they played "It's Just a Matter of Time" live, as its on the mid '80s doc. Can't remember the name. And Brian performed both "I'm So Lonely" and "Male Ego" some time around the release of the '85 album. And if it counts, I'm pretty sure they performed "Oh Darlin'" in front of a TV audience some time around the release of KTSA.

[MBE]

Brian's first solo show booted on Rare Gems LP had I'm So Lonely and Male Ego. It's from 1985

[Jay]

Is this it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkETZEUD_Q&list=UUcly4v_lGhaeNM1eYcMbxww&index=9&feature=plcp

[Aegir]

I wonder if they'll play more songs from the album during the QVC performance. seems like it would be the perfect moment.

also, when's the Sirius performance?

[hypehat]

Is this it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkETZEUD_Q&list=UUcly4v_lGhaeNM1eYcMbxww&index=9&feature=plcp

In terms of terrible ideas, terribly executed, this excels.

[Aegir]

I don't see what's so bad about it. Sounds just like the record.

[Amanda Hart]

Is this it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkETZEUD_Q&list=UUcly4v_lGhaeNM1eYcMbxww&index=9&feature=plcp

Yes, Jay, thanks for the link. I dug out the recording. I didn't have any info on it, so thanks for filling in about it being from his first solo show Mike. When I posted about it a few days ago I didn't recall that he had a full band behind him, so that's why I wasn't thinking concert. If anyone's curious the songs that circulate are: Da Doo Ron Ron, I'm So Lonely, Male Ego, Cal. Girls and Sloop John B. I don't think the Beach Boys ever played Da Doo Ron Ron live either.