Island Fever questions

[Phoenix]

Last night, I finally completed the collection of Summer In Paradise songs, including both versions, where applicable. For "Island Fever", the Definitive Vocal Credits Thread lists the vocals as follows:

Island Fever                     - Mike (verses, choruses) with Carl (last line of choruses), Alan on "I got it bad" line      -     Prominent back-up: Bruce on high harmony
Island Fever (UK version)  - Mike (verses, last line of choruses), Alan (choruses), with Terry Melcher ("I got it bad!")   -    Prominent back-up: Carl on high harmony

Looking it over, I decided to create the most Beach Boys-y version possible by combining Al's choruses with the US version but to my ears, the only differences in singers I hear are on the "I got it bad" lines.   Could someone possibly do a close up break down of the lyrics for each version?  If not, can someone at least tell me more about the choruses, as mentioned above? I hear Mike singing them in both versions with no sign of Carl singing any last lines in either.  It's probably blindingly obvious once I know what to listen for but right now, I'm at a loss.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

[AndrewHickey]

The chorus being referred to that Al sings is actually a bridge section -- he sings the "you know my baby can't dance" bit.

[Phoenix]

Bless you!  I thought I was going crazy so I'd stopped to pull my hair out before I got to that part. 

[CenturyDeprived]

Last night, I finally completed the collection of Summer In Paradise songs, including both versions, where applicable. For "Island Fever", the Definitive Vocal Credits Thread lists the vocals as follows:

Island Fever                     - Mike (verses, choruses) with Carl (last line of choruses), Alan on "I got it bad" line      -     Prominent back-up: Bruce on high harmony
Island Fever (UK version)  - Mike (verses, last line of choruses), Alan (choruses), with Terry Melcher ("I got it bad!")   -    Prominent back-up: Carl on high harmony

Looking it over, I decided to create the most Beach Boys-y version possible by combining Al's choruses with the US version but to my ears, the only differences in singers I hear are on the "I got it bad" lines.   Could someone possibly do a close up break down of the lyrics for each version?  If not, can someone at least tell me more about the choruses, as mentioned above? I hear Mike singing them in both versions with no sign of Carl singing any last lines in either.  It's probably blindingly obvious once I know what to listen for but right now, I'm at a loss.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Odd piece of trivia that just occurred to me: I wonder if Terry Melcher is the only person to only sing on BB songs from just the Pet Sounds recording sessions + SIP recording sessions (and no other BB album's sessions)?

Island Fever, without a doubt, is the song that suffered most from tinkering on the SIP UK version. The US version is undeniably superior and decent (at least listenable due to Carl's parts), and the UK version is comparatively a real embarrassment, IMO.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Is there a place I could listen to the US version?  The only one on youtube is the UK version according to the comments (I'm not familiar enough with the US vs UK SiP release to know).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrRK5KD-eKM

[Bittersweet-Sanity]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_k71UbSJwk

[positivemusic]

Phoenix, I've thought about combining the two, similarly the way I did the two version of "Under The Boardwalk," but could never decide on a way to make it work, given how different the two versions are.
Are you able to share the mix you've made, via YouTube, maybe?

[Phoenix]

I will. I'm just trying to decide which first verse to use. Obviously, the UK version is more universal.  Any thoughts?
I'll upload it to youtube as soon as I'm able to pick.

[phirnis]

It's a lame Kokomo rewrite in many ways but it's one of the few SIP songs I actually like. Think I prefer the US version, though it's always good to hear Al's voice and the UK outro is pretty nice too.

[positivemusic]

Personally, I'm partial to the US version and the melody is a more natural precursor to the second verse from either version.

But, whichever you use, I'm very much looking forward to what you come up with!

[tpesky]

Well I had forgotten how awful that song is...I wish I could unhear it. There are some nice moments on that album, this isn't one of them. I giggled at the WIBN and Vibrations title checks though..

[Eric Aniversario]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

[southbay]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

The UK version is only notable for Jardine's vocal. The rest is crap. Melcher's inclusion is mind-boggling. When given the choice, why would ANYONE want to hear Terry Melcher instead of Carl Wilson?!?

[Autotune]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

The UK version is only notable for Jardine's vocal. The rest is crap. Melcher's inclusion is mind-boggling. When given the choice, why would ANYONE want to hear Terry Melcher instead of Carl Wilson?!?

My guess is that the original demo had a stack-of-Terrys and they left some of his vocals for the UK version. Who knows why.

[Phoenix]

OK. Here it is. I originally went with the opening verse from the UK version but you spoke and I listed.  I think the main problem with this song is the construction (as opposed to the production for a change).  Clearly the first section is a verse, as the element returns later, cementing its role. Following each of them is what's clearly the chorus, as it featues the hook and prominant use of the song's title. So, verse, chorus, verse, chorus... And then what? As noted, the other section SHOULD represent the bridge/middle eight but it just repeats itself over and over as a kind of second chorus with nothing else to offset it. Making matters worse, the song never returns to either of its earlier themes after the halfway point. It's like Mike and the guys had no idea what to do next and tacked on part of a completely different song.

Looking at all the different sections and realizing the band used pro tools to piece them together, it makes me think Summer in Paradise really WAS Mike's take on a "Smile done right" masterpiece. 

I decided to keep both "bridges" (to a degree) in order to make use of both Carl and Al. I figure the more Beach Boys, the better.  Beyond that, I tried to tighten the song up and stop it from rambling, using the less is more approach that makes the UK version of "Strange Things Happen" so much better than the original take.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC2MOA8c7bI

[positivemusic]

Nice work, Phoenix! I think your mix would've made a great single version of the song! And, I'll be adding it to my "at work" playlist.
After listen to your's for inspiration, I decided to put Al's bridge right before the second chorus, as kind of a pre-chorus, then reinserted the US chorus and let the song finish out that way. I wanted as much Carl as possible. It's a tad clunky in spots, so I'll revisit it when I have time. But, all things considered, it meshes pretty good.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

However, the UK version is a revision of the original release which, according to Bruce, was rush released before if was ready. Go figure.

[Smilin Ed H]

If you do this, can you do something about the drums?? PLEASE make them stop!

[Phoenix]

Nice work, Phoenix! I think your mix would've made a great single version of the song! And, I'll be adding it to my "at work" playlist.
After listen to your's for inspiration, I decided to put Al's bridge right before the second chorus, as kind of a pre-chorus, then reinserted the US chorus and let the song finish out that way. I wanted as much Carl as possible. It's a tad clunky in spots, so I'll revisit it when I have time. But, all things considered, it meshes pretty good.

Thanks for the kind words! Glad to be of service.

[Micha]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

This shows how perceptions differ - to me it's exactly the other way round! And no, I'm not mixing them up, the US version is the one with the US mentioned in the first line... But neither of them are very good, the UK one sounds just a little better produced to me.

Which are the parts Melcher sings? Didn't occur to me yet, they're not as obvious as McGuinn on the UK title song.

[AndrewHickey]

The US version is WAY better. The UK version is very awkward, repetitive, and sounds like a rushed demo.

This shows how perceptions differ - to me it's exactly the other way round! And no, I'm not mixing them up, the US version is the one with the US mentioned in the first line... But neither of them are very good, the UK one sounds just a little better produced to me.

Which are the parts Melcher sings? Didn't occur to me yet, they're not as obvious as McGuinn on the UK title song.

I agree, I much prefer the UK version, though both are fairly horrid.
Melcher sings the Carl-sounding parts on the UK version.