Name One Song You'd Wish The BBs Should Have Covered

[hypehat]

How on earth did they pitch that video?

'We'll get the Beach Boys to go to church in ill-fitting coats, where they will look bored listening to a banal guitar solo, and leave due to the continued presence of David Crosby and an offensive saxophone player. And if you're lucky, Al Jardine will mime for you.'

[drbeachboy]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck. Of course it's gonna sound like the 80's. It was made in the 80's. It's gonna have 80's sensibilities. It's gonna have a strange video tied to it, because most of the videos made in the 80's were done like that. Most their 80's output had that kind of sax solo, because sax solo's were kind of the thing in the 80's. Paul Mertens isn't too far away from this type of thing with Brian's 21st Century output. Except for Goin' On and Somewhere Near Japan, I thought this remake was one of their better efforts. Until today, I never thought that my taste in music was so, well, embarrassing.

[the captain]

Plenty of music recorded in the '80s didn't have that stereotypical sheen. Tom Waits, for one. And others helped set the stereotypes or worked reasonably well within them at times (at times being the key to this next part, lest you go picking out the examples to the contrary), such as Prince, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Squeeze, the entire emerging style of hip hop, etc. Nobody was holding a gun to anyone's head forcing them to forsake good-sounding records.

[drbeachboy]

They were trying for a hit. The song was recorded when they really had no recording contract. It was one of 2 new songs on a compilation package. They were trying to take an old song and make it sound current. Apparently John & Michelle must of approved of it too, considering they appear in the video. To me it sounds better than Getcha Back. It may sound 80-ish, but it is by no means embarrassing.

[Wirestone]

Count me in as a fan of the 80s version. Of the time, but quite nice vocally nonetheless.

[rab2591]

I have to say, the vocals are amazing in that song. But my ears will never get past that production.

The final verdict comes down to this: Would you rather hear a 1966 Brian Wilson produced Beach Boys rendition or the 1980s version?

[Myk Luhv]

As great as "California Dreamin'" is... do we really need another version of it? I like to think not -- even if it's one by the inimitable Beach boys, and even if them in their prime. There are much more interesting things they could have done in terms of cover material.

[drbeachboy]

Personally, I take what I can get. First off, 1966 would have been too soon for a cover. Second, I don't look back 44 years for something that never was (at least no footwear that I am aware of). We only have what we have and that is: the early 80's version and mid-80's single version. Oh, and there is the hybrid-version on The Warmth Of The Sun compilation. As for another version of it; was it recorded by many artists over the last 44 years? If so, The Beach Boys version is only one that I remember played on Top 40 radio.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOPSRqdBtVs

[rab2591]

First off, 1966 would have been too soon for a cover. Second, I don't look back 44 years for something that never was.

On your first point, I don't see what time has to do with BW producing a cover as I believe Brian did a cover of 'Then i Kissed Her' just 2 years after The Crystals released it to the world. On your second point, I don't understand why you are even reading this thread then.

[runnersdialzero]

How does it approach embarrassing? You throw statements like this out here and don't say why you think so.

Why do I need an essay accompanying everything I say? It's obvious why I said it approaches embarrassing because just about everyone else pointed out what I felt too - vocal arrangement is crap, too 80s sounding (I don't care if it was done in the 80s - it didn't have to sound like that or sound like it to that extent), too much cheese (in the worst possible way), etc. etc. etc.

As with several things they did around that time, the only real redeeming quality of it is Carl's vocal. Otherwise, it absolutely withers and dies compared to the original or compared to what they could have done with it in the 60s.

Also, you can't fault me for, "I don't look back 44 years for something that never was," as that's what this entire thread is about. Even if they hadn't done it in the 80s, I'd be wishing they had covered it in the 60s - it's one of those songs by one artist that really feels like it very well could have been just as great or better by another artist (in this case, the Beach Boys).

I don't care if it's been covered a thousand times over, a Beach Boys cover done in the 60s would have been brilliant.

[Wirestone]

vocal arrangement is crap,

Really?

too 80s sounding (I don't care if it was done in the 80s - it didn't have to sound like that or sound like it to that extent),

Eh.

too much cheese (in the worst possible way), etc. etc. etc

It's not the greatest single song ever recorded, but if you listen to the BBs in the 80s, you take what you can get.

Many folks here have moved away from that knee-jerk "anything that was recorded in the 80s SUX" attitude. Cause other people can't stand that big slammy, thuddy, mono wall-o-sound that we adore. Variety's the spice of, and all that.

[drbeachboy]

Because I want to, OK.

[Andrew G. Doe]

They were trying for a hit. The song was recorded when they really had no recording contract. It was one of 2 new songs on a compilation package. They were trying to take an old song and make it sound current. Apparently John & Michelle must of approved of it too, considering they appear in the video. To me it sounds better than Getcha Back. It may sound 80-ish, but it is by no means embarrassing.

Made In USA version was a remix/re-edit/re-recording of the original 1983 version that was on Rock & Roll City.

The video is OK, notable for Brian's 1000 yard stare towards the end. 

[The Heartical Don]

vocal arrangement is crap,

Really?

too 80s sounding (I don't care if it was done in the 80s - it didn't have to sound like that or sound like it to that extent),

Eh.

too much cheese (in the worst possible way), etc. etc. etc

It's not the greatest single song ever recorded, but if you listen to the BBs in the 80s, you take what you can get.

Many folks here have moved away from that knee-jerk "anything that was recorded in the 80s SUX" attitude. Cause other people can't stand that big slammy, thuddy, mono wall-o-sound that we adore. Variety's the spice of, and all that.

Judge, I plead guilty. See: I was a young man in the '80s. And I confess that I adored many a 'widescreen' production in those years. Even danced to it. Proof: Simple Minds ('Up On The Catwalk", 12" vinyl in my possesion), U2 ("Joshua Tree"), Culture Club, the lot, and I almost forgot an album by a minor artist, I think his name was Bryan Wilsson, or something like it, don't know the album title anymore.

Thing is: I did NOT realize in those days that there might be anything wrong with the sound. Nowadays I don't like those productions anymore. Why this discrepancy is there... I do not know, honestly.

What will my sentence be, then?

[drbeachboy]

@runnersdialzero

Because this is a discussion board. I don't think it is an embarrassing song, you did, and I wanted to understand why you feel the way you do about it. Is that wrong? Is there a reason for you to cop an attitude, because I wanted your full opinion? If I take the time to read your posts, at least support your claim(s).

[Mike's Beard]

Made the mistake of watching the video before work this morning - had the song in my head all day.  Nooooooooooooo! As if my day at work wasn't shitty enough without that tune constantly playing in my mind. That may have been the first time I've seen the video to be honest. Points of note include; Al giving up on the whole 'combover' look, Bruce giving a strained smile throughout the entire thing, Brian pretty much incognito throughout (until as AGD points out that "Death Stare" at the end) and the guest appearance of Roger McGuinn sporting a toxic 80's mullet.

DrBeachboy we all enjoy a discussion but sometimes some of your posts come off as a tad aggressive.

[drbeachboy]

"How does it approach embarrassing? You throw statements like this out here and don't say why you think so."

What is aggressive about my original statement, above? I asked a question and stated a fact. I go into so many topics and some people just throw their opinion out there without ever stating why they feel that way. Seriously, is that too much to ask?  I was always taught that if you state an opinion, be prepared to back it up.

[drbeachboy]

They were trying for a hit. The song was recorded when they really had no recording contract. It was one of 2 new songs on a compilation package. They were trying to take an old song and make it sound current. Apparently John & Michelle must of approved of it too, considering they appear in the video. To me it sounds better than Getcha Back. It may sound 80-ish, but it is by no means embarrassing.

Made In USA version was a remix/re-edit/re-recording of the original 1983 version that was on Rock & Roll City.

The video is OK, notable for Brian's 1000 yard stare towards the end. 

While those who have posted here do not seem to like the video too much, I actually like it enough to say that it was there best one from that period.

[Menace Wilson]

Did I just see John Phillips as a priest?  

[gsmile]

Did I just see John Phillips as a priest?  

The irony of the guise is too much to take.  Let's just say: Papa don't preach. 

[kwan_dk]

How about Bacharach's "Alfie", sung by Brian in "Still I Dream of It" style.

John Bucky Wilkin, the guy who more or less WAS Ronny & the Daytonas, issued a great version on RCA in 67 or 68. If I'm not mistaken it was issued as one of the last Daytonas singles before he wrapped up the group. It's a great version that to my ears sound like what a 'Today'-era Brian might have gotten out of this great song.

[Menace Wilson]

How about Bacharach's "Alfie", sung by Brian in "Still I Dream of It" style.

John Bucky Wilkin, the guy who more or less WAS Ronny & the Daytonas, issued a great version on RCA in 67 or 68. If I'm not mistaken it was issued as one of the last Daytonas singles before he wrapped up the group. It's a great version that to my ears sound like what a 'Today'-era Brian might have gotten out of this great song.

Ah man, would love to hear that.  "Alfie" completely kicks my ass.  Maybe now that he's done a Gershwin album B-Dub can do a Bacharach album next. 

[tpesky]

As far as the video, I think it is one of their best videos, although that might not be saying too much when you consider how BAD some of their videos are but I think the embarrassment on the video (minus Brian's stare) is low and hey it might be the only video where Mike doesn't ogle a young girl in a very creepy way!

As far as the song, cheesy 80s production for sure,  but alot of songs do. Al and Carl are extremely strong vocally (the 82 version with Mike on the first verse is one of his most nasal cringing leads ever) . All I know is thank god for Carl's and Al's voices on that 80s and 90s stuff!

[Myk Luhv]

I would have liked to hear the BBs cover some Randy Newman, and I'm sort of surprised Brian didn't try at any point as I think he's quite the fan (or was, anyway). Admittedly, I don't think they quite have what it takes to pull off the more sarcastic stuff, but I think they could do a good job with something lovely (and, of course, desperate) like "I'll Be Home" or "Living Without You". They could possibly swing something like "Marie" or "Have You Seen My Baby?" too... Hell, throw in "Lonely At The Top" for some irony!