Brian's worst vocal

[TdHabib]

I've always wanted to do this thread, what do you think is Brian's single worst vocal that was released. Please do not simply say GIOMH, please specify one song that is particularly objectionable. Or if you think his worst vocal isn't on that album, go with that choice. Just one song please.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Probably "Just Once In My Life", where he's singing as close to flat as he can.

"Fairy Tale" is pretty crappy, too - "ever afteuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrurgh".

[Shady]

Gotta be Solar System

[Paulos]

Mother May...... that is Brian doing that deranged vocal on the verses right?

[Wirestone]

Well, that one note in Fairy Tale, sure. But IMHO his overall vocal on that tune stands head and shoulders above others on that album.

Worst of the worst --

Make a Wish. Like one of his less-enthusiastic live vocals, but on a studio album. All the backing vocals are flat too. Too bad, because the track cooks. But this should not have been released in this form.

Everything I Need (Jeff Foskett version). Concept sounds great. Brian guesting on a remake of a tune that takes it back to his original vision. Darian's on it too! But Brian sounds like he's falling asleep as he sings.

Love & Mercy (BW88). Robo Wilson to the rescue. He sounds so uncomfortable, and so shouty, and so forced. The distance between the quality of the tune and the quality of the lead has perhaps never been greater.

[Mahalo]

...love JOIML, and Solar System, ...hate Back Home

[Don_Zabu]

I'd say Transcendental Meditation and Take A Load Off Your Feet.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Mother May...... that is Brian doing that deranged vocal on the verses right?

[koff] only released tracks, please... 

[Paulos]

Mother May...... that is Brian doing that deranged vocal on the verses right?

[koff] only released tracks, please... 

Blah, no fair!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

What the hell is Mother May? I've never heard of that track.

As far as worst quality-wise, I gotta give an amen to Fairy Tale. The "...and the flowers died" could possibly KILL flowers in its awfulness.

Now if you just mean our least favorite BW vocals, then I gotta say "Don't Back Down" for classic era Brian (I HATE way his voice sounds on the "guts" line) and my all-time least favorite BW song for the post-classic era...Speed F'n Turtle.

[punkinhead]

his vocal on Dont worry Baby live in 1981?

[oldsurferdude]

Solar System with the alternate being LPOHT.

[Jason]

If we're talking merely released stuff, I'd say much of Gettin' In Over My Head (the album) would qualify. You've Touched Me in particular.

I'd say Brian's all-time worst vocal wasn't done in a studio, but live in 1981. The band was in San Carlos, CA on Dennis' birthday. Dennis came down with food poisoning so only Brian, Michael, Al, and Bruce made the show. Brian was absolutely, totally out of it the whole night. When he sang Sloop John B, he somehow had the idea to pinch his nose while he was singing! Absolutely terrible, as the show was in general.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Caroline, No......just kidding

[Jay]

Now if you just mean our least favorite BW vocals, then I gotta say "Don't Back Down" for classic era Brian (I HATE way his voice sounds on the "guts" line) and my all-time least favorite BW song for the post-classic era...Speed F'n Turtle.

I'm glad I'm not the only one.  For the "early Brian voice" I'd say Don't Back Down, Farmers Daughter(good god, I hate that song) and the ending of Papa Om Mow Mow, or whoever you spell it. His screeching near the end to me is like fingers on a chalk board.

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

She's Got Rhythm..."Laaaaaaaaast night I went out disco dancin'". Yike's...
Worst unreleased...I'm beggin You Please"...This poor guy has been sick for such a long time now.
So glad he seems the happiest he's ever been.

[hypehat]

Thats funny, i absolutely love his vocal on Papa-oom-mow-mow. His falsetto is really powerful.

This is such a hard question.  Maybe some early tune where his falsetto is just grating, like Lana. I tend to like 70's gruff Brian, and haven't listened to 80's Beach Boys enough to really remember if his vocals are as bad as the songs.
Yeah, I'll go for Lana.

[Dancing Bear]

Let the Wind Blow in I Just Wasn't Made for These Times.

[tpesky]

Goin to The Chapel.

One thing I never got about the 81/82 Beach Boys, why let Brian have such an active part in the show?? You couldn't tell how bad he was?!? He sounded awful and didn't really care, did they expect him to belt out Dont Worry Baby like it was 1964 magically one night?? By that point, the BB with or without Brian would have sold tickets.

[jimmyboy]

Love Is A Woman studio and live!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Goin to The Chapel.

One thing I never got about the 81/82 Beach Boys, why let Brian have such an active part in the show?? You couldn't tell how bad he was?!? He sounded awful and didn't really care, did they expect him to belt out Dont Worry Baby like it was 1964 magically one night?? By that point, the BB with or without Brian would have sold tickets.

Simple - no Carl.

[Jay]

Goin to The Chapel.

One thing I never got about the 81/82 Beach Boys, why let Brian have such an active part in the show?? You couldn't tell how bad he was?!? He sounded awful and didn't really care, did they expect him to belt out Dont Worry Baby like it was 1964 magically one night?? By that point, the BB with or without Brian would have sold tickets.

Simple - no Carl.

But they had Bruce, who was more than capable. If you watch the Long Beach footage, there is one scene during Don't Worry Baby where Bruce is clearly unhappy with what's going on. Hell, even Al could have done it.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yeah, but Bruce wasn't a Wilson.

[Jay]

So? Al wasn't either, and he did it for years when Carl was there.

[matt-zeus]

I think 'Movies is Magic' stands as one of Brians worst sounding vocals, he sort of growls through the first verse or two, though to be honest I love it. I think OCA is my favourite album of any Brian vocals from the last two decades. He sounds enthusiastic (whether or not he was forced) and the falsettos are there. His voice does sound crazy on lots of the songs but that is part of the charm...