The Smiley Smile Message Board

I don't mean, good or ok, or kinda like, I mean Great! I think their last great album was Holland with few great songs after. But the last great song to me was on an otherwise forgettable BB85 album. That's right! 'Where I Belong' by Carl Wilson.

i'm gonna assume this means their last classic, to which i will also go by spot on tracklist (but will discount surf's up since it's from 66) and say Till I Die or A Day in the Life of a Tree.

Baby Blue

spring vacation. ;D

The Night Was So Young

and

I'll Bet He's Nice

i think Till I Die is the last song that could stand next to songs like good vibrations, WIBN or like heroes and villains and belong there

Always used to say Til I die; more I think about, Where I Belong from 85. Tremendous Carl Wilson vocal, nice call/response by Al, and great musicality. A great tune.

Hmmm, the LAST great? Probably Baby Blue, if not, The Night Was So Young

I would say that for Brian as a Beach Boy, it would be Goin' On. For Dennis, Baby Blue.

So far, "That's Why God Made The Radio" seems to me to be the last GREAT Beach Boys song (so far) in my opinion.

Agreed completely.  They've done a lot of excellent stuff since, but nothing that just floors you like "Til' I Die" (in my opinion). 

Dammit, I was gonna say!   ;D

Maybe not the greatest song, but last greatest vocal performance = Somewhere Near Japan

I would say "Good Timin'", "Baby Blue", "Love Surrounds Me" and "Angel Come Home". Good records have appeared every so often since, but if we are talking GREAT I would pick those. The last great song I feel Brian wrote for the group is "Still I Dream Of It".

Hey Little Tomboy.

I think Where I Belong gets under rated because it is surrounded by trash. Pull it out and listen to that song again and tell me its not a great song!

It's Gettin' Late - BAD ASS

Goin' On, which is one of my favorite Beach Boys songs, period.

"In my car" and "somewhere near japan"

Feel Flows and Goin' On.

Getchya Back?

I'm mean...c'mon...

What does "great BB song" mean?
I find something great in nearly every song the BB ever wrote.
But the last song that went through the roof and was beyond "standard great" was probably "Good Vibrations" or something from the SMiLE sessions like "Surf's Up".

Semi-classic: "Somewhere Near Japan"...

Almost classic: "Where I Belong"...

Stone classic:" Sail On, Sailor".

Of course, this listing may change circa 6/5/2012.

Where I Belong.

I don't like to over use the word Great. You gotta treat that word with respect.

In the Alexander sense, it has to be Til I Die. No song since then can sit beside Don't Worry Baby, Good Vibrations and Surf's Up (in my opinion).

Right on Andrew!!!  I'm glad to see Beach Boys 85 get some love and respect.  Carl is absolutely stunning on it.  To paraphrase American Idol's Randy Jackson: "Don't do Stevie.  No one expects you to be like Stevie..."  Carl Wilson is amazing on BB85, guys. 

I completely agree! Where I Belong, incredible song - if it were a Brian Wilson song it'd be reguarly praised to the heavens, as it is it's a forgotten gem and by far Carl's most under-rated song.

I am an unabashed fan of all sorts of music from say 1951-73. I get fussy about music after the early seventies and since say 1984 I can maybe pick a couple dozen records I really enjoy. The 1985 album is not one of the ones I go back to and it basically sums up everything wrong with the period to me. I tried to get into it but, other than the fact that Carl sang well, it's got nothing for me. The "Getcha Back"/"Male Ego"45 is all I ever feel like playing once in a while. No offense to those who do like it, but I just don't like the sound or the feel.

The last greatest Beach Boys song? That's Why God Made The Radio.

I would agree with those who say Til I Die.

A song like Sail on Sailor even, in its recorded form, isn`t an absolute classic imo.

this live rendition of summer in paradise minus the lead guitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avqh4xukkuo

Goin' On

I'll have to jump on the Goin' On bandwagon also. If I want a Beach Boys tune that's absolutely going to get me grinning, this is the one I reach for. I don't tend to venture much further beyond this in the catalogue.

Does "Goin' On" remind anyone else of Queen? That's not a bad thing, but it was a connection I made the first time I heard the song.

That's Why God Made The Radio.

I think their last great song was "Good Timin'". It just had the feeling. It didn't feel forced or contrived, and the reasoning for that might be the fact that it was written and partially recorded around 1974, which I feel was still a time when all of Brian's compositions that we have heard still had that special thing to them, which is somewhat missing from 15 Big Ones and on.

However, "Goin' On" is a nice little thing too. But I wouldn't say it's great. "Getcha Back" is a cool retro single, but not great, and none of Brian's songs from the 1985 album were really worth much. I also think "Kokomo" was indeed a good song, but its not up to that classic level. So yeah, "Good Timin'" it is.

I wonder if I need to change my vote.  While I love "Baby Blue," and feel it's the last epic Beach Boys song, and the most moving of the late period Boys' output, I do love "Where I Belong," "Passing Friend" and "It's Getting Late." Are they great? Or do I just like the songs? That's the question. Trying to be objective is a pain in the ass.

I'm going to say "Only With You" from CATP. That is insanely great. Every version I've heard just feel holy.

Though I also do like Goin' On and Good Timin' after that, about equally.

Only With You is from Holland.

You're right; I was confusing its placement with "Cuddle Up", which IS from CATP. Another great song, but I kinda consider it more a Dennis solo track than BB, so I didn't include it.

Thank you!

I agree with Goin' On.  I think it could have been better arranged/produced, but the song itself is pure Brian magic.

I actually like this live version of Goin On better than the one on KTSA>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obzB_8P1fcs&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obzB_8P1fcs&feature=related).

The last great Beach Boys song cannot postdate December 28, 1983, IMO.

I'd really tend to "That's Why God Made The Radio", before that "Somewhere Near Japan". Stellar vocal performance and who ever played guitar (maybe Ed Carter?)  did a nice job there.

I flippin' hate Goin' On. Always have. Horrid song.

I think Where I Belong is insipid mid-80's MOR dreck. I'd rather listen to Christopher Cross or Peter Cetera even. There are better songs on Carl's solo albums, and those are both pretty awful as well.

As the heading says, "in your opinion".  ;D

Spring Vacation

I will also go with Where I Belong.  Underrated because Carl was the writer, not Brian (and this comes from a Brian apologist). SNJ is very close.  Goin On is a could have been, I think the production is poor and hurts what could have been a great song. TWGMTR is very close for me and may get there as time goes.

Questions for AGD...what is the difference between a semi classic and an almost classic? How close is TWGMTR to making the list in your book?

Classic is one that makes you go "oh wow" first time you hear it, usually with the first few bars.

Semi-classic is one that doesn't do that immediately, but given time grows.

Almost classic is one that sounds great, but somehow just doesn't have that vital spark.

Or so I say.

"TWGMTR" is between almost & semi - it's a classic earworm, but doesn't quite tip me over the edge. "MAD", in contrast, made my mouth drop open even before the vocal came in: when it did my eyes fell out, and when Brian hit the chorus, I sh*t myself, died and went to heaven.

well that certainly brings the scale into proper focus...

Would be cool to hear The Boys do a take on Midnight's Another Day.

Good Vibrations  - is the sh*t, ever

Sail on Sailor - pretty close

Roller Skating Child - an audacious ass shaker by anyone's reckoning

I am already kind of sick of  'Why God Made the Radio'. Who knows what I will think of it in a few years. As for Goin On, I agree its a very catchy tune. But I think the title track KTSA is even catchier. As for Carl's songs on BB85, I really don't like any of them out side of Where I Belong.

If you mean That's Why God, Probyn mentioned to me he played guitar on the track.  I don't know which specific part, though the tasteful rhythm was what prompted me to ask him if he was on it.

I'd go with:

written:
The Night Was So Young '77
released:
Good Timin' '74

special consideration goes to:
"you're still a mystery" '95 which is so damn close and I really wanted them to finish it for TWGMTR!

Yeah MAD is a stunner and like all BW's finest it stands up well to repeated listens. Much that I like this new song, it's not one I'd personally want to listen to again and again.

Their last "Great" Song was Kokomo.  #1, very catchy, loved it when I was a kid, has a place in pop culture, etc.  Great song. 

I think Kokamo was a solid song. Unlike others on this board, I can respect your opinion on this.

I remember a review, though I do not remember which review, saying MAD 'is assuredly not the best melody Brian Wilson has written. However, it is the best he has written in over 30 years and he knows it, and it shows in the manner he sings it on stage' (paraphrasing).

MAD is a gorgeous song, and it has brought me to tears more than once.

Brian still has it within him to write astonishingly good music. I am convinced that, cheese or no, Mike can still write good lyrics. Between them they still have the capacity to write something truly great. And don't count out Bruce either.

I can totally relate to what you're saying about Beach Boys '85.  It does not represent the ideal sound or feel of The Beach Boys.  Nor the ideal sound and feel of music in general.  It's totally synthetic.  Sterile.  Trapped in a TRON nightmare.  There's certainly nothing natural or organic about it.  Other than it's sh-t.

But if you can accept it for what it is -- which is 80's to the MAX -- it's actually a pretty solid album.  (Are you still with me?  :))

I started by allowing myself the guilty pleasure of trying to enjoy the 80's nostalgia of it.  80's nostalgia ain't my thing either -- but I do like nostalgia.  And nostalgia worked wonders for me on some of their lesser 70's stuff, L.A. and the others.

Now I love it (more or less).  Behind that (unavoidable) digital TRON veneer, there's actually a lot of good material.  They really tried hard to come up with solid songs, I think.  I only wish someone simultaneously recorded it to analog tape.  Damn.

It took me a long while to get into.  But I think it's on-par (or more) with much of their later 70's stuff.  It's certainly more consistent than some.  But again, it is what it is.  And if you have zero connection to the 80's (i.e.; lived in cave) -- then it will be lost on you.

I reminds me of Queen too.  I think that's an interesting connection.  Great song!

Great video!!!

Summer in Paradise

Where I Belong

Don't Fight the Sea

Thats a song I got really sick of hearing but I must say that I was tapping my foot and singing along to it at the Atlanta show. The "Cocktails and Dreams" image that they were showing during the song was almost enough to make me take a beer and bathroom run :douchechills

I wouldn't have said this yesterday, but...

I don't think we've heard it yet.

 :h5

This is exactly what I was about to post.

Pardon my utter ignorance, but MAD?  ??? ::)

Midnight's Another Day from Brian's That Lucky Old Sun album. I much prefer the version from the AOL sessions.

I will agree with you on this song along with several other from his solo career. But I didn't count it because it isn't the Beach Boys. I would also include Love and Mercy, Lay Down Burden, The Waltz, Live Let Live and Oxygen. Oh, and the Flinstones song (forgot what its called). Can this be found anywhere other then Live at the Roxy? Like a soundtrack?

If we're gonna cheat and include Brian's solo material, then I'd say the entire TLOS album. His best collection of new material since BW88 - but with much better production. i'd also throw in Carl's I Wish For You and Like A Brother.

Well in that case ..... Message Man, hands down!

Last great Beach Boys song?

"Karate."

If we get to count BW solo material...."Southern California" I consider a masterpiece, much better than Midnight's Another Day (IMO).

That's funny, that's taken from their appearance on Baywatch with David on guitar, I thought he did a terrible job.

I like this very much. Southern California always sends a thrill down my spine.

Nope - that's recorded in London, June 29th 1993. No David. I'm on there, though - the dude in Block D, row 17 singing along word perfect. My gf at the time was freaked that I could know the lyrics to a brand new song.  ;D

were they autotuning you??

 :drum

Don't think God himself could correct something that far off pitch.

Last GREAT song? Sail On Sailor.

"Good Timin'", but even then, that's a lesser great than, say, some of the late 60s or early 70s stuff. Even after that period, after "Good Timin'", there's certainly still plenty of good.

Solo careers included, "Midnight's Another Day" or "Live Let Live" (one of Brian's best songs imo - all eras included), although again, certainly plenty of good to be found afterwards.

P.S. Also, imo, "Sail On Sailor" is... well, it's good. It's just good. Pretty darn good, but good. imo. Never got why this one is included in everyone's top tracks or is considered the last "great" song by the d00dz. Great Blondie vocal, but the melody and arrangements feel kind of uninspired. Drenched and tired. NO OFFENSE SRY

You're Still a Mystery

I like Sail On Sailor but I hear what you're saying. It doesn't have the lush chord changes that I associate with Brian's greatest songs.

I never got on with Live Let Live. That sounds uninspired to my ears. From TLOS, I'd say MAD, Oxygen To The Brain, Southern California, Message Man and Just Like Me & You have that Wilson magic.

I have a feeling that, as someone else has said, the Last Great Beach Boys Song is yet to come. And we might not have to wait too long.

I'll go with Good Timin' and Baby Blue (one of DW's very best as far as I'm concerned).

Still, even after that came several very good ones, most notably Kokomo, Getcha Back (too much of a rewrite in order to be called truly great, I guess), Santa Ana Winds, Goin' On, Somewhere Near Japan, Male Ego, and Lahaina Aloha (again, very derivative but still a personal favorite of mine).

Been way too long...can't wait too long..

 ... and for some reason I had you down as a pessimist! Well, that's a bold prediction. Surely, the strongest song from this reunion project would have been the one already released, i.e. twgmtr, but would be great if you're right. I won't be holding my breath though.

I actually get the feeling that "That's Why God..." may be the most commercially/artistically balanced track, but that the best track(s) from the album are yet to be heard.  I really think Brian has one more stone-cold Beach Boys classic left in him - maybe I'm just falling for the hype, but my money is on the suite.

I was right.  ;D

Which song then? Come on, spill dem beans.

Why is TWGMTR surely the strongest on the album? Just because it was the first single?  Beacuse the group is talking it up (because it is the first single)?  Those who have heard the album don't seem to agree with that sentiment.

I haven't been following these threads so was just assuming that the strongest track was the one released. Will be happy to be proved wrong! Has agd heard the album then, hence the confident predictions?!

Are we strictly talking about a song off the new album - or a song on an archival release (eg, the much discussed WIBNTLA)?

Why is there so little love for TWGMTR?

Because for Beach Boys fans, there is nothing worse than what really exists in commercially available form. It's only what is rumored to have been or what theoretically might yet be that gets anyone excited. Once something is real, it's all about finding the warts.

I love it. Don't care what anyone else thinks, just scroll on by......

I've been thinking about this for days, and as much as it pains me to say it (because of the thrashing I fear), I have to say that I honestly think the live version of "Summer In Paradise" is a great song.  I like it a lot more than many of the band's early hits and I feel the same way about "Somewhere Near Japan".  Not only do I think SNJ is a great song but I rank it above anything new (and just right behind "Soulful Old Man Sunshine") the band has released since Holland. 

But as it's been said, I think there's still some greatness left in the band.  (I like TWGMTR and it's still growing on me but it hasn't quite achieved "great" status with me yet.)  I'm sure I'll find something great on the new album.

May be the way I phrased it - I like twgmt. The natural pessimist in me feels it unlikely that there will be a better song from this reunion but I obviously hope I'm wrong! I haven't been following the discussion much so have no idea who knows what and what the general level of expectation is here.

The general level of expectation here seems to be Very high, really low or as expected  :lol

Personally, I'm lovin' it and taking it as it comes - exciting times (and please, BBs, finalise those Australian dates)

"That's Why God Made The Radio" is certainly tolerable enough, but probably has no business being named in this thread. imo.

Tolerable = pleasant in my estimation, but otherwise you're right on.

The last Beach Boys recording that stuns me every time I hear it has the first few bars ruined by a totally pointless voice over. It's "Santa Ana Winds" from KTSA. I know many of you prefer the earlier version, but the released version has such a great build up, so well arranged vocal harmonies, so well arranged strings, to my mind it is so beautiful that it moves me to an extent the better songs from Pet Sounds do. No kidding.

The only other song who achieved that is the mentioned Midnight's Another Day. Close to that is "It's Not Easy Being Me" from the Paley sessions.

I also have a weak spot for "Getcha Back" and the song "Summer In Paradise" (EU version).

I listened to some of the songs mentioned in this thread. I found that "Where I belong" is better than I remembered, but it should have a more heartfelt instrumental track recorded under those vocals... :wink

Lastly, I listened to TWGMTR again and I must say... the vocal arrangement is absolutely great, so is the composition, but the backing track could have used some more interesting ideas. How about bringing back the Theremin or have the drums have an AM sound during the verses? Some nice strings?

I'm gonna put myself out and say From There To Back Again is gonna be Brian's "This is all I have left, so take it an enjoy" song.

 ;D

SUCESS.

I've always liked "SOS" for the rhythm, the melody, the words, the chords, the mood, etc., but I also really like it because when I feel like hammering out something on the piano with some real energy, that's one that really works for me.  Plus, when you ask someone if he or she want to hear a Beach Boys oldie, and you play that, well, it does get a reaction.

This has probably been stated already, but perhaps the last great Beach Boys song has not been written and will be in the next year or so.  If this album is positively received by the critics and the fans, another album from the group is likely. 

Summer In Paradise

Troof, and...

I've always liked "SOS" for the rhythm, the melody, the words, the chords, the mood, etc., but I also really like it because when I feel like hammering out something on the piano with some real energy, that's one that really works for me.  Plus, when you ask someone if he or she want to hear a Beach Boys oldie, and you play that, well, it does get a reaction.
[/quote]

Troof.

Oh, nice play, Father!

"Stevie".

Luau. after that they just got too commercial. just kidding.

It would now have to be From There to Back Again.  It would probably go in my top 25 Beach Boys songs now.  It's that good.

Agree with this post.  I would also add "Pacific Coast Highway" to my top-25 Beach Boys songs.  If they don't do any more new music, they've left us with at least two tracks that I'll consider classics. 

*ding ding*  :thumbsup

Pacific Coast Highway

From Their and Back Again

before that...

Baby Blue

Yup to both. Considering them as a single song, FTTBA/PCH might even make my top 10 BB tracks of all time. In fact, I would say it definitely does.

So far, FTTBA/PCH/SG (the suite). I'm hoping there are more great BB songs to come.

I'm going to have to agree with you on this one!  What a wonderful album closer.  Brian's vocal on Summer's Gone is damned near heartbreaking.  You can hear the years in his voice...all of the summers that have come and gone.  All of the people who have come and gone.  It's a reflection on the passing of time and a realization that we only get so many summers before they truly are gone.  It also needs to be mentioned that Al's lead on FTTBA is a homerun.  His voice has simply not aged.

Is Summer's Gone a new vocal or was the lead recorded earlier? Brian sounds completely different on this track than all the others that he sings lead on.

Summer's Gone

I'll just add to the choruses of "From There To Back Again."

I'd reckon that there might be some naysayers (not on this board of course) -- perhaps justifiably so and based on past events -- who would accuse those who are proponents of the song's potential "classic status" being just a bunch of fanboys and fangirls getting swept up in the moment of a new Beach Boys album. One that most would've never expected in a million years, and as a result, trying to overhype its significance or overstate the song's greatness in that simple thrill of the moment. I've been swept up in that kind of moment, myself, in the past. But, I truly think this track is a major work in the band's catalog and pretty freakin' enjoyable, too.

It may sound cliche to describe it as such, but FTTBA really does conjure up and distill the best of the early 70s, Surf's Up era into one lovely track, while still sounding fresh and new in the process. Everyone sounds great (and yes, I'm aware of any sweetening that may have gotten it to that point), and every little musical and artistic choice is pretty much exactly where it should be. It doesn't seem forced or fake, and reminds me of a time when the Beach Boys actually gave a damn about doing something grand and beautiful. Joe Thomas has had his production hands on his share of BB/BW turkeys, and has made some questionable moves in the past, but I love just about every decision he made with this track (or in conjunction with Brian). While he still tends to fall into the MOR trap at times, I simply don't get that feeling with this song. I love that little Moog-like section in the middle.

Thus, if you would've told me that I would hear the phrases "new Beach Boys album" and "classic track" in one sentence ever again, I would have gambled on not seeing or hearing anything of the sort for *two* million years. I'm certainly humbled...and obviously thrilled. If the album would've consisted of this song and eleven others of just the band snoring in unison, I'd probably still consider the whole shebang a success.

Before this one, I'd probably vote "Baby Blue."  :)

The last 4 great BB's songs in my opinion:

4).  Strange World
3).  There to Back Again
2).  Pacific Coast Highway.
1).  Summer's Gone

And no, this isn't fanboy excitement for me.  I'm going to love those songs just as much in 20 years. 

..and, Everybody wants to live.

Have to say I agree. The new LP ends with their best sustained piece since Holland.

Don't be bashful Andrew. I saw that video of you singing "Solar System" and you weren't too bad, if I say so myself.

The Night Was So Young

This isnt the last great song, but one I think that I will love until the end of time. And I don't know why. Possibly because at the time it was such a thrill to hear, and one of the first BB songs I learned to play on the piano......Goin' On.

Pacific Coast Highway.

It's one of the best Beach Boys songs period.

Also:

That's Why God Made The Radio
Summer's Gone

Currently, "From There To Back Again/Pacific Coast Highway".

For me, this would be -

4).  That's Why God Made the Radio
3).  There to Back Again
2).  Pacific Coast Highway.
1).  Summer's Gone

TWGMTR is imo their best record since Holland  :) .

Is that when they recorded the new vocals for "Isn't It Time"?

That's when TWGMTR was released  :)

Surfin!

J/K

I'd say Isn't It Time is a damn great song!

Well, you could be speaking of the wonderful re-make  >:D

Why did you even have to mention that horrible excuse for a song!!!   ;)

Isn't It Time

It would seem that the general consensus is that the final suite on the new album rates pretty high.  I agree.  I've tried to avoid the "fanboy" in me just gushing over any new Beach Boys product...but those tracks really are quite breathtaking.  The overall quality is impressive.  I think it shows Brian operating from a place of great confidence...despite the rather meloncholy nature of the music and lyrics.  The harmonies are great.  The music is well thought out.  "Pacific Coast Highway" is simply amazing.  It sends chills down my spine.  "Summer's Gone" is also incredible.  Brian's vocal is sad, yet hopeful.  

For some reason I thought of this topic today. When I first posted this, it was right before TWGMTR was released. I still stand by Where I Belong being a great song, and at that time it WAS the last great song. But the last three songs on TWGMTR are all great! There seems to be confusion on what I meant by great.

MY DEFINITION OF GREAT: A SONG THAT MOVES ME EMOTIONALLY OR BLOWS ME AWAY ARTISTICALLY

A few of the tracks on Love You, "I'll Bet He's Nice," "The Night Was So Young," and "Let's Put Our Hearts Together." Those are three of the most touching ballads Brian ever wrote and among the best Beach Boys tracks, imo. Plus the production is pretty awesome with all the buzzing synths.

Well, before TWGMTR came out, I'd say "Still A Mystery," which is one of the top-15 songs they ever recorded, imo. If that doesn't count since it was never officially released, I'll go with "The Night Was So Young." 

Since TWGMTR, my official answer is that "From There To Back Again," "Pacific Coast Highway," and "Summer's Gone" are the last GREAT Beach Boy songs.

Summer's Gone

And indeed, it did. For "SO,S", substitute "From There To Back Again" - that's up there with the very best from any era.

I was pretty hard on TWGMTR when it came out, and I still feel the same way about it overall, but I have to give credit for From There To Back Again. It is a great song.

From There to Back Again. Who would've thought? Before that I'll still go with Good Timin' and Baby Blue; also, Kokomo!

Prior to the new album, I would say Somwhere Near Japan.   Prior to that, I'd have to go back to Where I Belong.  Prior to that.......a scant few songs from the albums between Love You and the 85 album.  Maybe Going On and Good Timing, such as that.  Prior to that: Til I Die.

The new album, along with Al's and Brian's solo work, have enough really good songs to fill a very long CD.

Summer's Gone is exquisite.   

"Surfin'". 

surfin'?? that's insane.. unless you mean the ghastly sip redo.

I still can't believe something as good as "From There To Back Again" came to be 50 years into their existence.

And they didn't play it once on the C50 tour.

1- Think About The Days

2- That's Why God Made the Radio

3- Isn't it Time?

(One is not enough!)   ;)

One trilogy!

They did play Summer's Gone though, which is pretty cool lest we forget.

Against Mike's wishes btw  ::)

They should've done the entire suite but doing "Summer's gone" was something special at least

Who says it was against Mike's wishes? All reports have Mike in charge of the setlists.

I whole-heartedly feel that, against any realistic expectation, we were given two truly great Beach Boys songs on TWGMTR.

It's the obvious choice, yes, but "From There to Back Again" is really a wonderful song, put down to tape in a recording which features a fantastic Al Jardine lead.

As much as I adore FTtBA and "Pacific Coast Highway," (which at under two minutes, feels less like a modern pop song, and more a movement) to me, the greatest Beach Boys song in literally years and years is "Summer's Gone."  I won't go into the merits of this song, as those who feel the same already understand, but, just "wow."  What an unexpectedly beautiful gift this one turned out to be.

I feel that some of you are over rating That's Why God Made the Radio (the song) a bit. Just my opinion. Perhaps a solid song, but great? I think Kokamo is better song IMO.

That and "Pacific Coast Highway."  Of late, I've also started to like "Strange World" quite a bit more, but I'm not sure whether I consider it great or just really good.

If you think "Kokamo" is better, it still isn't good enough to be spelled correctly :wink

From There To back Again - by many a mile, followed by Summer's Gone, Pacific Coast Highway, Think About The Days and Strange World.

If you're not counting TWGMTR,  My Diane or Winter Symphony or Baby Blue or Morning Christmas (if that can be called a BB song as opposed to a Dennis one) or Angel, Come Home or Love Surrounds Me and, as an outsider, Lookin' Down the Coast (the boot version as opposed to the Al solo one, which is good, but it is Al's version).

"Think About The Days" is a stunner, too. "Isn't It Time" is great too though not as deep emotionally. "Strange World" is very good too. "TWGMTR" is just good, not very good. My favorite radio show played "Beaches In Mind" this morning opening the 5 am show. Many dislike it, I think it would be a really good song with a more interesting arrangement.

Yup, exactly. It's called Nightlounge, I rarely ever listen to it though because it runs from 2 to 6 am. This morning I accidentally woke up just before 5 am. The other TWGMTR song I heard there was Isn't It Time, I know there was a show they opened with Daybreak OTO, and one where the song I hate was played. This was today's playlist:
http://www.ndr.de/info/programm/musik/nachtclub/playlist9345.html

Too bad I didn't hear track 9 from that list...

I really like Shelter, Spring Vacation and Pacific Coast Highway

That's really good to know!  Thanks for that.

Ain't that the truth! Sometimes I'm still not convinced it actually happened.

Seriously, other than the change in Brian's voice from way back then, and different production/sound sensibilities, a person could slap that track at the end of Side 1 on the Surf's Up album (or perhaps Holland), and maybe amaze or fool a few people.

(try saying that last phrase 10 times fast)

There reason for me regretting to have turnd off the radio after the fourth song or so to try to sleep again isn't that it was a German song... the title translates as "Kiss me quick before you burst" (the German word I translate as "burst" implies bursting like a balloon) from the album "If you break my heart, I'll break your legs" by artist "Olli Schulz and Mary the dog" :-D

Oh, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9oVn12GC2g

The lyrics are pretty nonsensical, about a couple looking inside the fridge and reflecting about the contents...

Kokaine-mo?