The Definitive Vocal Credits Thread...

[John]

I agree, to a large extent. That's why I initiated the asterisk system, since it keeps the lead vocal clear. I think unaccompanied lines are definitely "lead vocals". Carl was going to get a lead vocal credit in bold on Little Bird, but liner notes aside, Brian isn't.

[Jon Stebbins]

I agree, to a large extent. That's why I initiated the asterisk system, since it keeps the lead vocal clear. I think unaccompanied lines are definitely "lead vocals". Carl was going to get a lead vocal credit in bold on Little Bird, but liner notes aside, Brian isn't.

I agree that unaccompanied lines should get credit as such, as an asterisk if the part is minimal, as Dennis' "round" line in I Get Around obviously is. Don't want to break out a Friends LP argument too soon here, but Carl's part in Little Bird is sung in unison with Dennis IMO, and is not a solo or "lead" line. To give Carl credit for that would be equal to giving Carl and Dennis credit for their unison part in the song "All Summer Long" which follows Brian and Mike's in every verse.

[adamghost]

Here's a funny question...do we know for absolute certain that Carl sings the "what a day, what a day" lead line on "Little Bird?"  I'm not calling it into question on aural grounds -- it sounds exactly like Carl to me, too -- just reflecting that it's just funny (although certainly not unheard of in Beach Boys lore) that he pops in for one line like that, and '68 era Dennis was capable of sounding a lot like Carl.  So it's conceivable to me that it's just Dennis in a fluky way sounding like Carl

I think it was Carl, myself, possibly pinch-hitting with a line that Dennis had trouble with, but I was just asking if it had ever  been verified or that we were all just assuming it was him because it sounds exactly like him?

[John]

I think it's Carl, and I don't know if Denny had trouble, to me it sounds like just a guy diggin' his brother's voice and giving him a line to sing. And the wide-eyed innocence Carl brings to that line proves Denny right.

Is it sung in unison, Jon? I just thought it was Carl solo. Heh, we are jumping the gun a little here.

[MBE]

The last verse of Little Bird is Brian and Dennis on lead.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Here's a funny question...do we know for absolute certain that Carl sings the "what a day, what a day" lead line on "Little Bird?"  I'm not calling it into question on aural grounds -- it sounds exactly like Carl to me, too -- just reflecting that it's just funny (although certainly not unheard of in Beach Boys lore) that he pops in for one line like that, and '68 era Dennis was capable of sounding a lot like Carl.  So it's conceivable to me that it's just Dennis in a fluky way sounding like Carl

I think it was Carl, myself, possibly pinch-hitting with a line that Dennis had trouble with, but I was just asking if it had ever  been verified or that we were all just assuming it was him because it sounds exactly like him?

Can't speak for anyone else, but it's been verified to me by someone who was there. [hint: birthday boy  ]

[Jon Stebbins]

Definitely Carl on What a day...etc... I think I may be mixing the unison thing up with In The Back Of My Mind, which has a unison Carl/Dennis line. So I'll save the All Summer Long argument when we get to BB's Today!

[adamghost]

OK, I'll buy that.  Any idea why he came in for that one line, Andrew?

[John]

The last verse of Little Bird is Brian and Dennis on lead.

Are we talking about "Little Bird...looked down, and sang a so-ong to me" to the CIFOTM-sounding backing track right at the end? Because I'm planning on asterisking it, but unless there's a good case, I don't think it should be classed as a lead...

[Jon Stebbins]

The last verse of Little Bird is Brian and Dennis on lead.

Are we talking about "Little Bird...looked down, and sang a so-ong to me" to the CIFOTM-sounding backing track right at the end? Because I'm planning on asterisking it, but unless there's a good case, I don't think it should be classed as a lead...

Yeah, you're right it shouldn't be a lead, unless we change some other things like All Summer Long...hee! MAN we are really ahead of ourselves here with this Little Bird business. Order in the court!!! Let's get back to 1964 dudes.

[MBE]

The last verse of Little Bird is Brian and Dennis on lead.

Are we talking about "Little Bird...looked down, and sang a so-ong to me" to the CIFOTM-sounding backing track right at the end? Because I'm planning on asterisking it, but unless there's a good case, I don't think it should be classed as a lead...

No it's the part right before that. It has the "CIFOTM" horns and has a high part. Brian is really up in the vinyl mix at least. Brian co-wrote the song btw but didn't take credit.

[John]

Ah, yes, I know the part you mean. Well, we'll leave it till we get there.

[pixletwin]

John, if you're gonna give Brian Co-credit on I get around you have to give it to him as well on Little Deuce Coup. Its a pretty prominent vocal (She's my little Deuce Coup. You dunno what I've got!).

[Jon Stebbins]

I think its fairer to call Dennis' ending note on Grad. Day "off mic" and not "off key".

[John]

Jon: Ha! Done!

Pixletwin: Don't really agree, Bri sings the lead on the whole chorus of I Get Around solo. Coupe is just his voice most prominent amongst the harmonies, and shorter, t'boot!
 

[pixletwin]

Pixletwin: Don't really agree, Bri sings the lead on the whole chorus of I Get Around solo. Coupe is just his voice most prominent amongst the harmonies, and shorter, t'boot!
 

I find that highyly debateable. His harmony is clearly the main melody.And its only one measure shy of his solo on I Get Around. If you you were a camera man you would clearly have the camera on Brian during the LDC vocal. But ah well... You be da moderator on dis one my fren'.

[John]

Let's take a vote amongst the thread regulars, I think that's the fairest way to do it...

[No. Fourteen]

Although I'm irregular.....

I see the argument for Brian on LDC's chorus, but I feel like his vocal is too "blended" into the other vocals to get credit.

Whereas, on IGA Brian's chorus vocal is more separated and distinct from the "get around, round, round....." harmonies.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I agree with Fourteen.

[John]

Maybe an asterisk, then...? I'm in agreement with both you guys...

[pixletwin]

Maybe an asterisk, then...? I'm in agreement with both you guys...

I'll settle for an asterix.

[John]

Done and done.

[pixletwin]

You know what you should do John? Once an album has been debated and settled you should add the results to your first post. That way it will be easier to go back and look without having to hunt all over the thread.

[John]

Good idea. I was thinking that when we've done it, we ask the mod to split the albums only into one thread and then I'll rename this "Definite Vocal Thread Discussion".

[adamghost]

I think the technical difference between I GET AROUND and LITTLE DEUCE COUPE is that on IGA, the falsetto line is totally autonomous from the underlying harmonies...it does its own thing.  On LDC, IIRC, it only splits off at "got..." (and perhaps at the beginning, "she's my...", I don't have the record here to check).

So an argument could be made on technical grounds that the IGA chorus is the lead vocal, and on LDC, it's the top part of the harmony arrangement.  I don't personally have a vote, though.  Makes no nevermind to me...