What was the intent for the "Brian's Back" song?

[Smile4ever]

"Brian's Back" was supposed to basically coincide with the mid-70s campaign of the same name, right? Truth be told, I actually don't know much about the song. How were the Beach Boys actually going to use it?

It doesn't seem like a normal song you would release on an album or (especially) a single. To me, it seems best suited for a TV documentary montage. For example, during a documentary about the Beach Boys, you could conclude the episode with Brian's comeback journey. Then play the song while showing emotion-provoking film footage of Brian in the past and present.  

Not sure how it was actually used, but whenever I hear it, I wonder about it.

[MBE]

It was from 1978 and was recorded by Mike and Carl for Mike's rather good unreleased solo album, First Love. Beach Boys tried it out for L.A. Light but rejected it. It came out in 1998 on the Endless Harmony soundtrack, but had been booted on vinyl for years because of it airing on a radio show. Why he wrote it two years after the comeback is hard to figure out but probably just meant as a tribute to Brian. Brian wrote one about Mike called "Mike Come Back To LA" when Mike went away with Maharishi for six months in 1977.

[punkinhead]

It was from 1978 and was recorded by Mike and Carl for Mike's rather good unreleased solo album, First Love. Beach Boys tried it out for L.A. Light but rejected it. It came out in 1998 on the Endless Harmony soundtrack, but had been booted on vinyl for years because of it airing on  Whya radio show. Why he wrote it two years after the comeback is hard to figure out but probably just meant as a tribute to Brian. Brian wrote one about Mike called "Mike Come Back To LA" when Mike went away with Maharishi for six months in 1977.

Brian's Back is like the "original" callback song from Mike, in my opinion. Though written after things like Kona Coast and It's OK, it's my favorite song of his that references other songs (via titles and melodies (ala You Still Believe in Me).

Is there any official (or unofficial for that matter) lyrics to Mike Come Back to LA? I really like the tune, and it sounds like they had a great time recording it on Our Team doc. I also LOVE how it's part of a riff recycled (Child of Winter, Almost Summer, Some of Your Love)

[Mikie]

The public first heard the song on a Dick Clark special radio program on The Beach Boys in 1980.

[Gohi]

Do we have a recording of "Mike Come Back to LA?"
Much prefer that to Some of Your Love.

[Jason]

Do we have a recording of "Mike Come Back to LA?"
Much prefer that to Some of Your Love.

The unaired promotional "Our Team" special for MIU features footage of the band rehearsing the song.

[Rocky Raccoon]

It's really just a love song (like brotherly love) from Mike to Brian, telling him how much he appreciates him.  From the title, it may seem like it was supposed to coincide with the whole 15 Big Ones promotion but the lyric says "They say that Brian is back, well I never knew that he was gone."  Kind of sweet as a sentiment if a little corny and direct as a song.  I love Carl's vocal on it and the "You Still Believe In Me" tag.

Strangely though, Mike re-recorded it for his unreleased solo album in 2004 with his son Christian doing Carl's part.  A little weird as it's nearly identical to the version on the Endless Harmony soundtrack and that this was at a time when Mike was suing Brian and the cousins were not exactly buddies at that point.  Perhaps re-recording it was meant as some sort of reaching out, asking for reconciliation.

[Alex]

I think Mike secretly finds joy in the thought of us fans cringing at his songs.

[Alan Smith]

It was from 1978 and was recorded by Mike and Carl for Mike's rather good unreleased solo album, First Love. Beach Boys tried it out for L.A. Light but rejected it. It came out in 1998 on the Endless Harmony soundtrack, but had been booted on vinyl for years because of it airing on a radio show. Why he wrote it two years after the comeback is hard to figure out but probably just meant as a tribute to Brian. Brian wrote one about Mike called "Mike Come Back To LA" when Mike went away with Maharishi for six months in 1977.

Hey, Mike - AGD's book says it was "written during the similarly-titled promo campaign that preceded the 15 Big Ones album" - suggesting while it took 2 years to get recorded, the intitial idea was current to the Back campaign.  What are your thoughts?

[MBE]

It was from 1978 and was recorded by Mike and Carl for Mike's rather good unreleased solo album, First Love. Beach Boys tried it out for L.A. Light but rejected it. It came out in 1998 on the Endless Harmony soundtrack, but had been booted on vinyl for years because of it airing on a radio show. Why he wrote it two years after the comeback is hard to figure out but probably just meant as a tribute to Brian. Brian wrote one about Mike called "Mike Come Back To LA" when Mike went away with Maharishi for six months in 1977.

Hey, Mike - AGD's book says it was "written during the similarly-titled promo campaign that preceded the 15 Big Ones album" - suggesting while it took 2 years to get recorded, the intitial idea was current to the Back campaign.  What are your thoughts?

He may know something I don't but all signs point to 1978. It wasn't mentioned publically in 1976-77 nor was it recorded.

[Smilin Ed H]

Horribly mawkish.

[Jukka]

But catchy as hell.

[c-man]

According to Ron Altbach, a version was recorded at MIU - with Brian on piano.  Equally weird is that the L.A. Light version was produced by Brian. 

[Nicko1234]

The only version I have heard from the LA sessions is woefully unfinished. Does anyone know if I completed version exists?

[EgoHanger1966]

"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds".

 

At least he didn't rhyme good vibrations with assassinations on this one.

[Nicko1234]

"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds".

 

At least he didn't rhyme good vibrations with assassinations on this one.

He hasn't done that on any song that he's written to my knowledge.

[EgoHanger1966]

"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds".

 

At least he didn't rhyme good vibrations with assassinations on this one.

He hasn't done that on any song that he's written to my knowledge.

Looking Back With Love.

[PaulTMA]

"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds".

 

At least he didn't rhyme good vibrations with assassinations on this one.

He hasn't done that on any song that he's written to my knowledge.

Looking Back With Love.

Lyrics by Dan Parker

[Nicko1234]

Looking Back With Love.

Which Mike had nothing to do with writing as another poster has said.

[phirnis]

"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds".

 

At least he didn't rhyme good vibrations with assassinations on this one.

I find the Pet Sounds reference rather sweet. It wasn't their best-selling record by any means and still Mike had the nerve to namecheck that record and reprise the Still Believe in Me melody at the end of the song. It's a nice little gesture.

[EgoHanger1966]

Looking Back With Love.

Which Mike had nothing to do with writing as another poster has said.

Oh well. He still sang it and titled his solo album after it. Good enuff for me!

[MBE]

According to Ron Altbach, a version was recorded at MIU - with Brian on piano.  Equally weird is that the L.A. Light version was produced by Brian. 

Didn't know about that version so it was done by late 1977 for certain.