Isn't It Time new lyrics

[Roger Ryan]

The last thing I expected was for them to rework a new song on the road after the studio version was released. Shades of "Help Me Rhonda" undergoing a re-record in '65. Proof that the band is communicating enough to say "you know, I think we can improve this".

Maybe Mike will go back and completely rewrite the lyrics to "Spring Vacation" and "Beaches In Mind"  .

[Micha]

Brian's performance on the opening lines is way better here than in the studio version.

Isn`t that because it`s not just Brian singing. He`s being covered by someone else.

It's Brian.

And the studio take is somewhat rushed because the song was a last minute addition, recorded in March or something.

It's definitely Brian, but I swear I can hear another vocalist there.

It still sounds wonderful to my ears though.

I bet the mumbled pronunciation is 100% Brian.

[Nicko1234]

I bet the mumbled pronunciation is 100% Brian.

Yes, it`s Brian with someone covering him.

[Paul J B]

Put me on board with those that don't like the way Brian sounds on the studio version. That kind of gruff lazy singing has spoiled many songs in Brian's career. Rushed or not, I don't understand how those vocals made the cut. No one but people like us here would have any clue that is the same guy singing on most all of the rest of the album. Not trying to be mean, but when Brian "phones it in" like that, he sounds more like a loud half drunk guy singing to himself in a bar. I know the youthful Brian is long gone, but he is still WAY better than that when he wants to be even without processing.

[Lowbacca]

I bet the mumbled pronunciation is 100% Brian.

Yes, it`s Brian with someone covering him.

Yeah, there's definitely someone else 'behind' Brian's vocal, albeit very indistinct. Guess it's Foskett.

[Micha]

I bet the mumbled pronunciation is 100% Brian.

Yes, it`s Brian with someone covering him.

Couldn't that someone just have stood up or at least have taken whatever he was covering him with off Brian's mouth so he wouldn't have mumbled that way?

[Outtasight!]

Song's perfect the way it was.

Agreed. Loved it from the first time I heard it. Love it more each time I hear it. The album version is perfect to these ears. Quirky perfection.

[Lowbacca]

Brian's performance on the opening lines is way better here than in the studio version.

Isn`t that because it`s not just Brian singing. He`s being covered by someone else.

It's Brian.

Sure it's Brian (mainly), but there's clearly somebody "behind" him. Foskett in his middle range, I suppose.

[Wirestone]

Put me on board with those that don't like the way Brian sounds on the studio version. That kind of gruff lazy singing has spoiled many songs in Brian's career. Rushed or not, I don't understand how those vocals made the cut. No one but people like us here would have any clue that is the same guy singing on most all of the rest of the album. Not trying to be mean, but when Brian "phones it in" like that, he sounds more like a loud half drunk guy singing to himself in a bar. I know the youthful Brian is long gone, but he is still WAY better than that when he wants to be even without processing.

This seems way over the top to me. Brian sounds a bit gruff, yes, but hardly lazy. His phrasing and general attitude are spot on -- to these ears, he seems really engaged in the song. The vocal tone seems to me to be partly a production choice, too -- everything in the track is quite stripped down. I am less impressed with his singing in something like Shelter, for instance, where his tone is generally good (or tuned to be so), but his phrasing is clipped and his pronunciation inexact.

[brother john]

Brian's performance on the opening lines is way better here than in the studio version.

Isn`t that because it`s not just Brian singing. He`s being covered by someone else.

It's Brian.

And the studio take is somewhat rushed because the song was a last minute addition, recorded in March or something.

Still doesn't explain why Brian was allowed to get away with such a ragged, drooling vocal.

He does sound better live, but then he does have Jeff (I assume) doubling him.

This is very catchy, though I wonder if Spring Vacation wouldn't be a better single choice.

[Paul J B]

Put me on board with those that don't like the way Brian sounds on the studio version. That kind of gruff lazy singing has spoiled many songs in Brian's career. Rushed or not, I don't understand how those vocals made the cut. No one but people like us here would have any clue that is the same guy singing on most all of the rest of the album. Not trying to be mean, but when Brian "phones it in" like that, he sounds more like a loud half drunk guy singing to himself in a bar. I know the youthful Brian is long gone, but he is still WAY better than that when he wants to be even without processing.

This seems way over the top to me. Brian sounds a bit gruff, yes, but hardly lazy. His phrasing and general attitude are spot on -- to these ears, he seems really engaged in the song. The vocal tone seems to me to be partly a production choice, too -- everything in the track is quite stripped down. I am less impressed with his singing in something like Shelter, for instance, where his tone is generally good (or tuned to be so), but his phrasing is clipped and his pronunciation inexact.

To my ears when Brian sings like that it sounds like he's just doing it to get it over with as he would/does during a sound check. He also seems to sing more like that during the one song appearances on television shows or (often) the first set of his concerts. I think it sounds BAD and it turns off some people as I've had them ask me about it. The overly gruff and shout like stuff he often does, does not do whats left of his voice justice IMO. He's capable of doing a lot better. I've seen him live 5 times and when he slips into the right groove a LOT of his true old self shines through. Very little gruff Brian on BWRG, a big reason I really like that record.

Wirestone, I purchased the Carlin book upon your recommendation in the "Brian's problems again" thread from a month or so back. First BB book I've purchased in years after vowing to never again after the "Landy" one. Overall a decent read, though I did not agree with some of his perspectives, but well worth the 10 bucks I paid to Amazon....so thanks for the heads up.

[brother john]

And here's another live version of Isn't it Time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzMSMGdwknU&feature=related


Ooh, and another one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJmrYzJMqQE&feature=related

[Custom Machine]

"Isn't It Time" is by far my favorite song on the new album and is the obvious choice for the next single.  But I agree that Brian's intro vocal needs to be redone, as parts of it sound "old guy" gravelly.  And in addition to redoing Brian's part, the intro should be more of a group effort, primarily Brian but with more of Jeff plus Al and Bruce in the mix. 

However, for me the weakest part of the original recording is Jeff's "Isn't It Time?" refrain.  On the NJ show video Al and others join in with Jeff on that part, and it sounds dramatically better as a group vocal.  That repeated refrain is really one that would have been done best by Carl, so for a studio rerecording, Christian Love would probably sound very good doing that part solo.  Otherwise, make that part a group effort, with Al, Bruce, and Jeff singing together.

When I first saw the lyric rewrite it looked good to me, but now that's I've heard the new lyrics sung on the YouTube clip I must say that I have a strong preference for the original lyrics.  "Isn't it time we go steady again" may have an old fashioned ring to it (and I'm old enough to remember that term well), but I take those lyrics to mean 'Let's spend a whole lot of our time doing fun stuff together again'.  The new lyric "Isn't it time we be lovers again" leaves me with the depressing thought that the singer is saying 'Hey, we haven't made love in years, maybe we oughta try it out once again'.

Some additional observations: One of the elements of the song that really appeals to me is Mike's "da doobie do's" mixed low in the background.  There are a ton of possibilities for various mixes of Isn't It Time, including extended vocals and a prominent farty synth.  And finally, "Isn't It Time" should be the flip of the forthcoming "That's Why God Made the Radio" 7 inch single (and it better be at 45 rpm with a large center hole to fit in jukeboxes!)

[bossaroo]

Brian sounds so much better on every live version I've heard, compared to the studio take.

[MarcellaHasDirtyFeet]

Bah! I love Brian's lead on the record. When I'm just singing the song in the shower, I unconsciously emulate his delivery. It sounds kinda weary or sad, but I love it. Authentic. He gets a little bluesy gravel in his voice, which isn't necessarily a Beach Boys thing, but I think it sounds good.

I also like the original lyrics better. The new ones somehow manage to sound even more contrived.

I love this song so very much. A modern feel, a bass line that just pops, the piano/keyboard doubling the uke, the palm-muted guitar, the synthetic drums and handclaps... What a great, catchy stomper. I think it's an instant classic, and it is now one of my favorite BB songs.

[Micha]

Even with Brian's sloppily mumbled pronunciation at the start, Isn't It Time is about my favorite on the album. There's a few other gems that come close, however. So happy about this album!

[EgoHanger1966]

Brian sounds so much better on every live version I've heard, compared to the studio take.

After seeing it live, I am fairly certain Brian's first few lines are played on the backing track with the percussion, and Brian sings along with it, double-tracking. I think that's why it sounds different.

[AndrewHickey]

I love Brian's vocal on the studio version, and seriously think it's his best vocal on the album by a long way.
By contrast, it's the one song where I can see why people dislike Foskett -- he sounds pretty dire on the "And as the sun goes down..." part.

[Runaways]

that'd be cool if they re-record it for the single, put it on the next album, retitled  "Isn't It Thyme".