TM Song

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I no longer own 15 Big Ones, but I remember that at the beginning of the TM Song there was arguing. I've heard that this is what the sessions were really like at that time. But I would be suprised if that wasn't staged the same way Mike and Brian made fun of each others voices on LDC or SD2 (I can't remember which).

Anybody know specifics about the opening of TMSong?

[Shane]

I believe the argument was staged... I seem to remember Dennis yelling "Hey You!  Get your car off my lawn!!"

[Alex]

Its very similar to what Brian was doing with Hal Blaine and Mike Vosse on the Vega-Table arguments.

[Roger Ryan]

Yeah, it's kind of interesting how Brian's argument idea from 1966 finally surfaces ten years later! Unfortunately, no one felt compelled to actually script and rehearse the thing, so it comes off quite contrived. I think a better intro would have been excerpts from the "Help Me, Rhonda" vocal session starring Murray!

[Sheriff John Stone]

Yeah, it's kind of interesting how Brian's argument idea from 1966 finally surfaces ten years later! Unfortunately, no one felt compelled to actually script and rehearse the thing, so it comes off quite contrived. I think a better intro would have been excerpts from the "Help Me, Rhonda" vocal session starring Murray!

Yes, that argument part/intro does turn you off. Actually, there is an alternate intro which Al Jardine sang on the Mike Douglas Show in 1976.

As a defender of 15 Big Ones (someday this album - at least Brian's production - will be shed in a better light), I always thought the "TM Song" had potential. I like the melody and instruments. If Brian would've expanded it a little more, it coulda been a contender....

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I believe the argument was staged... I seem to remember Dennis yelling "Hey You!  Get your car off my lawn!!"

Oh yeah, I forgot about that! LOL!! I always thought that was Brian's rhaspy voice, though. I do think that it is kind of funny, including Mike's yelling. But then it all comes to a screetching halt when Al Jardine (mr cheesy) declares, "Shhhsh! It's time to meditate!"  But the song itself sounds pretty good.

[mikeyj]

Never been a big fan of this song, but I agree with Sheriff it DOES have potential and the intro is off putting.

As a side note if you make it so the sound is coming out of only one of the channels (can't remember which side?) then you can hear some studio noise (eg: buzzing etc..) and then you can hear someone cough around 4 or so seconds. Really strange.

[donald]

This is just from memory....just now thinking about the song and the vocals..........but did Marilyn sing background vocals?

[mikeyj]

This is just from memory....just now thinking about the song and the vocals..........but did Marilyn sing background vocals?

According to the credits listed on 15 Big Ones, the only vocals on the track are Alan (lead and backing vocals), Brian+Mike (backing vocals)