The Smiley Smile Message Board

May I interrupt the Smile Sessions lovefest to ask about a song I haven't listen to in awhile: In the Back of My Mind.

This song is just so good. I wondered if anyone besides the BBs had recorded it, because it deserves to be heard more often than on side 2 of an album and because I'd like to hear how another singer would interpret it.

I want to hear the version from 1974 or 1975 where Brian's old voice is turning into his gruff voice. To hear Brian's old voice change into his gruff voice sounds absolutely heartbreaking.

I don't think it would be "heartbreaking". The guy did what he wanted with his voice for the most part. It's not like he died in 1975. Still the same guy. And in fact, I'm beginning to think the "Back Home" type vocal was intentional or even just a put-on. Yes, his voice was changing in the mid-70s, but I think it was gonna change no matter what.

And yeah, "In the Back of My Mind" is a top track. Along with "Please Let Me Wonder", one of the top on Today!

The backing track is so complete, it could have been released as an instrumental. Add Dennis's heartfelt vocal and it's just something else entirely. That track is a big reason why Today! edges into my top 5 BB albums.

"In the Back of My Mind" is without question one of my all-time favorite pieces of music, by ANYONE. I'm not crazy about the mix on the album (vocals are too buried to me), so it's at the top of my wish list for a really good remix -- and yeah, the backing track is one of those Brian pieces that totally works as an instrumental. Kind of surprising it hasn't been released that way by now, actually.

I agree that parts of the gruff voice were put on, but just to hear Brian's classic era voice fading away on record sounds heartbreaking because a mentally-ill Brian is destroying the voice that helped make him famous and used beautifully on so many classic songs from from 1962-1972.

There's a version of this from 1974 or 75?

Here is more info, http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,9705.0.html

Question.

Does anybody know if they Personally May know where there is a live recording of Denny sinnging this in 1974 or 1975 or whenever he sung it in the '70s. It would be really interesting to hear. I can't really imagine it.

did they try and re-record it in the 70s? details please.

^indeed. Don't have time to read much; so does anyone know if they re-recorded the background track? Or was this just a vocals re-take?

Oh whoops I kinda worded that a little confusingly.

I was talking about the live version(s) with Dennis on lead vocal.

However, according to adamghost (and maybe a few others) there IS a recording of "In the Back of My Mind" with just Brian on piano and vocals from 1975. Apparently it somewhat features his younger, sweeter voice, with his gruffer voice also poking through. It would sure be nice if we could get that one released within the next year.  ;D

Thanks!

Anyone else on the smiley board think the track with Brian's vocals should be on the new box? Yes/no?
I vote yes!  ;D

I haven't heard Brian's cover, but I'd love for the single-tracked Dennis version to appear on the new box.

Wow, this is great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Q8gMdFgfU

Since I think it kinda got lost in the shuffle, anybody know if there might Oh hey guys, I'm being cute and testing the moderators!ersonally Yes yes yes, I don't know how to follow the rules!aybe know if there is any recordings of Dennis singing "In the Back of My Mind" live in concert in 1975? I'd be quite interested in hearing it.

Could anyone tell me where to find the 1975 track with brian's vocal? Profound Music is awsome!

It does not circulate.

can you start threatening to ban people who do that stupid bolding the P and M thing?

Thanks man. It would have drove me crazy trying to find that track.