The versions of "Hang On To Your Ego"

[Jim V.]

Okay, so I was wondering about "Hang On To Your Ego" for a while but it never struck me to ask on here. So here goes....

Of course we all know it is the song that was changed lyrically into "I Know There's An Answer" because of Mike Love's objection about the "ego" lyrics. Well anyways, the first version of the "Hang On To Your Ego" was released as a bonus track when Pet Sounds was issued on CD. And this version is a demo, right?

And then we have another version which features on the Good Vibrations box set and also The Pet Sounds Sessions set. This one was labeled as an "alternate version" but strictly speaking isn't actually the original version? Since the first released version only had Brian's guide vocals?

Also, does anybody know if the second version which features on those box sets is actually just a composite with Mike and Al's vocals from "I Know There's An Answer" transferred to "Hang On To Your Ego"? Or was it indeed a completed version of "Ego" from 1966?

Anyways I know this was a nerdy reason to start a thread, but I was wondering and I figure this is the place to do it.

[Jesse Reiswig]

The version of "Hang On to Your Ego" from the Good Vibrations and Pet Sounds Sessions box sets definitely has a distinct vocal take from Al (or at least partial substitutions) from that of "I Know There's an Answer," because the lyrics of the verses are different. It's possible Mike's vocal is exactly the same. I've never listened to them side by side to be sure.

[Cam Mott]

Can't Mike be heard on the tapes wanting sing all the parts of HOTYE?

[Jim V.]

Can't Mike be heard on the tapes wanting sing all the parts of HOTYE?

Jesus, Cam. The man himself has come out and admitted he didn't like the idea of the song being about losing one's "Ego". He didn't like it. He said it. I'm not even saying I disagree with him. I do think the "Hang On To Your Ego" thing is kinda corny.

[metal flake paint]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

[Cam Mott]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

Even Mike can be wrong about Mike.

SDJ, not "liking" it does not equal doing anything to stop or alter or otherwise hinder it. I think he has said he didn't like the idea of a drug reference in light of Brian's burgeoning drug use didn't he? Whatever Mike said he is on tape wanting to sing the whole thing himself.

OK, here is another thing I may or may not remember. Is there not also a multi person discussion during a IKTAA vocal session on the SOT boots (boots are wrong, asking for a friend) and mixed in the multiple convos is there not a question about changes to the lyric and Brian saying he hadn't liked them? Did I remember/hear wrong or dream it or something?

[Jim V.]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

Even Mike can be wrong about Mike.

SDJ, not "liking" it does not equal doing anything to stop or alter or otherwise hinder it. I think he has said he didn't like the idea of a drug reference in light of Brian's burgeoning drug use didn't he? Whatever Mike said he is on tape wanting to sing the whole thing himself.

OK, here is another thing I may or may not remember. Is there not also a multi person discussion during a IKTAA vocal session on the SOT boots (boots are wrong, asking for a friend) and mixed in the multiple convos is there not a question about changes to the lyric and Brian saying he hadn't liked them? Did I remember/hear wrong or dream it or something?

OK, so just so I think we're on the same page, you're saying Mike Love himself is misremembering wanting to change it. Like, even he has been so ground into the urban legend that he wanted to change it, that he's even forgotten what really happened?

And that you know better about what happened than he did? I don't know about that. I myself trust Mike Love and his memories of events. I can't believe you wouldn't want to believe him.

And yes, believe it or not, maybe he convinced Brian to change it. Or shoot, maybe it was Brian's idea and Mike agreed. All I was saying is that Mike didn't like it and in recent years has seemed to take credit for the change.

[Mikie]

During sessions in March 1966, Mike Love objected to the possible drug connotations of the title and certain lyrics. "I was aware that Brian was beginning to experiment with LSD and other psychedelics. The prevailing drug jargon at the time had it that doses of LSD would shatter your ego, as if that were a positive thing. I wasn't interested in taking acid or getting rid of my ego."

Al Jardine recalled that the decision to change the lyrics was ultimately Wilson's. "Brian was very concerned. He wanted to know what we thought about it. To be honest, I don't think we even knew what an ego was. Finally Brian decided, 'Forget it. I'm changing the lyrics. There's too much controversy."

[Jesse Reiswig]

To get back to the original topic voiced by sweetdudejim, I think it's fairly unlikely that the version of "Hang On to Your Ego" from the Good Vibes and Pet Sounds Sessions boxes is a reconstruction from "I Know There's an Answer". The fact that Al sings the chorus and that the lyrics are different in the verses leads me to believe this is a complete vocal take that was done for "Hang on to Your Ego." Whether it was considered final or finished would be more subject to debate--does anyone know if there was a 1966 mix of "Hang on to Your Ego made?--but it certainly represents a complete 1966 vocal take.

[Jim V.]

To get back to the original topic voiced by sweetdudejim, I think it's fairly unlikely that the version of "Hang On to Your Ego" from the Good Vibes and Pet Sounds Sessions boxes is a reconstruction from "I Know There's an Answer". The fact that Al sings the chorus and that the lyrics are different in the verses leads me to believe this is a complete vocal take that was done for "Hang on to Your Ego." Whether it was considered final or finished would be more subject to debate--does anyone know if there was a 1966 mix of "Hang on to Your Ego made?--but it certainly represents a complete 1966 vocal take.

Ha, thanks for dragging it back to the initial topic Jesse! I'm gonna have to listen to "Ego" and "Answer" back-to-back to spot the differences. To be honest I didn't even know the verse lyrics were different, which I know is quite pathetic of me for being such a long time fan. I have to say too that it never made much sense to me why they would have released the version with Brian's rough guide vocals first on a Pet Sounds reissue, instead of the one with nice polished vocals from Mike, Al and Brian on The Pet Sounds Sessions and the Good Vibrations box. Honestly, I really think that a Pet Sounds reissue with bonus tracks should feature the Mike/Al/Brian version of "Ego" and also "Trombone Dixie", as those are the two songs besides "Good Vibrations" from those sessions that aren't on the album. Not that we need another Pet Sounds reissue though.

[Cam Mott]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

Even Mike can be wrong about Mike.

SDJ, not "liking" it does not equal doing anything to stop or alter or otherwise hinder it. I think he has said he didn't like the idea of a drug reference in light of Brian's burgeoning drug use didn't he? Whatever Mike said he is on tape wanting to sing the whole thing himself.

OK, here is another thing I may or may not remember. Is there not also a multi person discussion during a IKTAA vocal session on the SOT boots (boots are wrong, asking for a friend) and mixed in the multiple convos is there not a question about changes to the lyric and Brian saying he hadn't liked them? Did I remember/hear wrong or dream it or something?

OK, so just so I think we're on the same page, you're saying Mike Love himself is misremembering wanting to change it. Like, even he has been so ground into the urban legend that he wanted to change it, that he's even forgotten what really happened?

And that you know better about what happened than he did? I don't know about that. I myself trust Mike Love and his memories of events. I can't believe you wouldn't want to believe him.

And yes, believe it or not, maybe he convinced Brian to change it. Or shoot, maybe it was Brian's idea and Mike agreed. All I was saying is that Mike didn't like it and in recent years has seemed to take credit for the change.

I'm pointing out there seems to be a contradiction between what Mike claims after the fact and what is documented on tape at the time. And it is on topic.

[Jim V.]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

Even Mike can be wrong about Mike.

SDJ, not "liking" it does not equal doing anything to stop or alter or otherwise hinder it. I think he has said he didn't like the idea of a drug reference in light of Brian's burgeoning drug use didn't he? Whatever Mike said he is on tape wanting to sing the whole thing himself.

OK, here is another thing I may or may not remember. Is there not also a multi person discussion during a IKTAA vocal session on the SOT boots (boots are wrong, asking for a friend) and mixed in the multiple convos is there not a question about changes to the lyric and Brian saying he hadn't liked them? Did I remember/hear wrong or dream it or something?

OK, so just so I think we're on the same page, you're saying Mike Love himself is misremembering wanting to change it. Like, even he has been so ground into the urban legend that he wanted to change it, that he's even forgotten what really happened?

And that you know better about what happened than he did? I don't know about that. I myself trust Mike Love and his memories of events. I can't believe you wouldn't want to believe him.

And yes, believe it or not, maybe he convinced Brian to change it. Or shoot, maybe it was Brian's idea and Mike agreed. All I was saying is that Mike didn't like it and in recent years has seemed to take credit for the change.

I'm pointing out there seems to be a contradiction between what Mike claims after the fact and what is documented on tape at the time. And it is on topic.

 

I find it hard to believe you care about anything other than who was arguing with whom in 1966/1967 and the sandwich Al Jardine ate December 15, 1966. It's weird you only pop up in threads "protecting Mike's honor" or  threads that are super "inside baseball" on how SMiLE was scrapped and how it's all Brian's fault*.




*Not to start a discussion about this stuff, but yes, I do feel that it was ultimately Brian's call to scrap that album. And while Mike didn't care for it, I don't think he played an outsize role in the album getting scrapped.

[Jesse Reiswig]

To get back to the original topic voiced by sweetdudejim, I think it's fairly unlikely that the version of "Hang On to Your Ego" from the Good Vibes and Pet Sounds Sessions boxes is a reconstruction from "I Know There's an Answer". The fact that Al sings the chorus and that the lyrics are different in the verses leads me to believe this is a complete vocal take that was done for "Hang on to Your Ego." Whether it was considered final or finished would be more subject to debate--does anyone know if there was a 1966 mix of "Hang on to Your Ego made?--but it certainly represents a complete 1966 vocal take.

Ha, thanks for dragging it back to the initial topic Jesse! I'm gonna have to listen to "Ego" and "Answer" back-to-back to spot the differences. To be honest I didn't even know the verse lyrics were different, which I know is quite pathetic of me for being such a long time fan. I have to say too that it never made much sense to me why they would have released the version with Brian's rough guide vocals first on a Pet Sounds reissue, instead of the one with nice polished vocals from Mike, Al and Brian on The Pet Sounds Sessions and the Good Vibrations box. Honestly, I really think that a Pet Sounds reissue with bonus tracks should feature the Mike/Al/Brian version of "Ego" and also "Trombone Dixie", as those are the two songs besides "Good Vibrations" from those sessions that aren't on the album. Not that we need another Pet Sounds reissue though.

Having just listened closely to "I Know There's an Answer" side-by-side with both versions of "Hang on to Your Ego," I now think it's probably Brian singing the lead on the chorus of "Hang on to Your Ego," and not Al. However, to me it sounds like a different vocal than that on the demo version (though I'm not 100% sure on this--it's possible that it's mixed so differently that it sounds like a different vocal, especially because of all the backing vocals surrounding it), so I don't think it was lifted from there but is a distinct vocal recorded at some other time.

Here's a breakdown of the lyrical differences between the Good Vibrations and Pet Sounds Sessions version of "Hang on to Your Ego" and "I Know There's an Answer" and who sings what. Words highlighted in red or blue are the words that are distinct from one version to the other.

Hang on to Your Ego

(Mike): I know so many people who think they can do it alone . . .  brrr.
(Al): They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones.
Now what can you tell them, what can you say that won’t make them defensive?
(Brian? Al? Not sure): Hang on to your ego, hang on but I know that you’re gonna lose the fight.

(Mike): They come on like they’re peaceful, but inside they’re so uptight.
(Al): They trip through the day and waste all their thoughts at night.
Now how can I say it and how can I come on when I know I’m guilty?
(Brian? Al? Not sure): Hang on to your ego, hang on but I know that you’re gonna lose the fight.

(Al): Now how can I say it and how can I come on when I know I’m guilty?
(Brian? Al? Not sure): Hang on to your ego, hang on but I know that you’re gonna lose the fight.
(Mike): Doo bee doo bee doo



I Know There’s an Answer

(Mike): I know so many people who think they can do it alone.
(Al): They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones.
Now what can you tell them, what can you say that won’t make them defensive?
(Brian): I know there’s an answer, I know now but I’ll have to find it by myself.

(Mike): They come on like they’re peaceful, but inside they’re so uptight.
(Al): They trip through the day and waste all their thoughts at night.
Now how can I come on and tell them the way that they live could be better?
(Brian): I know there’s an answer, I know now but I’ll have to find it by myself.

(Al): Now how can I come on and tell them the way that they live could be better?
(Brian): I know there’s an answer, I know now but I’ll have to find it by myself.
(Mike): Doo bee doo bee


One thing I've always thought was interesting about this song is that once the chorus was changed, the idea of the song no longer had any internal logic. Essentially it now says, "I know so many people who think they can do it alone . . . but I'll have to find it by myself." The new chorus is the exact antithesis of the lyric in the verses. In fact, reading the lyrics of "Hang on to Your Ego" today, one doesn't really think of drugs. It simply seems like a warning to someone with an enormous ego to stop trying to go it alone or they'll pay the price.

[Shane]

I don't remember the exact wording, so I will loosely quote Bruce...

"We tried it as "Hang On To Your Ego" and we tried it as "I Know There's An Answer" and it really didn't work either way"

[Cam Mott]

I don't remember the exact wording, so I will loosely quote Bruce...

"We tried it as "Hang On To Your Ego" and we tried it as "I Know There's An Answer" and it really didn't work either way"

Actually, unless I'm missing it, Mike's quote (as per Mikie) doesn't say he did anything about the HOTYE lyric. It's more about that it was not his lifestyle or interest. On tape he seems to be fine with the lyric. Are there other quotes about how Mike was responsible for Brian changing it?

[Cam Mott]

During the lead vocal session, Mike claims that "Hey, I could sing that whole SOB by myself."

Even Mike can be wrong about Mike.

SDJ, not "liking" it does not equal doing anything to stop or alter or otherwise hinder it. I think he has said he didn't like the idea of a drug reference in light of Brian's burgeoning drug use didn't he? Whatever Mike said he is on tape wanting to sing the whole thing himself.

OK, here is another thing I may or may not remember. Is there not also a multi person discussion during a IKTAA vocal session on the SOT boots (boots are wrong, asking for a friend) and mixed in the multiple convos is there not a question about changes to the lyric and Brian saying he hadn't liked them? Did I remember/hear wrong or dream it or something?

OK, so just so I think we're on the same page, you're saying Mike Love himself is misremembering wanting to change it. Like, even he has been so ground into the urban legend that he wanted to change it, that he's even forgotten what really happened?

And that you know better about what happened than he did? I don't know about that. I myself trust Mike Love and his memories of events. I can't believe you wouldn't want to believe him.

And yes, believe it or not, maybe he convinced Brian to change it. Or shoot, maybe it was Brian's idea and Mike agreed. All I was saying is that Mike didn't like it and in recent years has seemed to take credit for the change.

I'm pointing out there seems to be a contradiction between what Mike claims after the fact and what is documented on tape at the time. And it is on topic.

 

I find it hard to believe you care about anything other than who was arguing with whom in 1966/1967 and the sandwich Al Jardine ate December 15, 1966. It's weird you only pop up in threads "protecting Mike's honor" or  threads that are super "inside baseball" on how SMiLE was scrapped and how it's all Brian's fault*.




*Not to start a discussion about this stuff, but yes, I do feel that it was ultimately Brian's call to scrap that album. And while Mike didn't care for it, I don't think he played an outsize role in the album getting scrapped.

You're welcome.

[Ron]

The hang on to your ego lyrics (it's really just a line or two, no biggie) smack of hipster talk, which is never cool because it conjures up smelly neckbeards.  While I agree the lyrics don't make as much sense as "I know there's an answer" it better ties into the whole album's themes surrounding searching for oneself and growing up.  So I prefer the new (by a week) lyrics.   I think Brian's on record as saying he likes I know there's an answer better as well...