The Smiley Smile Message Board

I know 'Brian's Back' was written during the big campaign around 15 Big Ones and Brian's return to the band and what not, but what exactly was the song used for?  It obviously was never released on an album, so was it heard in any capacity prior to the Endless Harmony soundtrack (and bootlegs)?

It was written two years later in 1978 for Mike's First Love LP that never came out.

Thanks, Mike.  And here I actually have a *ahem* copy of First Love, I should have known this... ::)  For whatever reason I had it in my head that it was written prior to the album, during the Brian's Back hoopla.

all I know is that Brians back is behind him...

Was it ever established exactly when "Brian's Back" was written? I know Mike is saying '78, but I would have to imagine it was probably around the 15 Big Ones times. And then why for the L.A. (Light Album) sessions? Brian had been "back" for like 2 years already. So...yeah?

Mike just wanted to write hits with his cousin. :'(

wanted to write hits with his cousin about his cousin or his cousin's back. the whole ordeal is very confusing so it's good this song never made the open market until much later.

Was this song the start of the trend of the BB and relations writing about themselves? Like Carl's Seems So Long Ago, Wilson Phillips Flesh & Blood?

Do It Again came before those, 1968.

Any earlier instances?

I'd always kinda assumed that Brian's Back was written in 1976. I can't remember why i think that... does anyone have the Endless Harmony CD liner notes to hand? It might say in there.

Brian was back with a carton of smokes and a Messianic robe!! 

I always wondered why Carl sang on that piece o'  ::).

Hey, Carl sang on a lot of pieces o' :)

Beat me to it!

They say that Brian's back... feels okay because of Dr. Randy Weinzoff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAWVbj0YUyE

Chug a Lug name checks nearly all of them with some of the buddies...

Brian's back (making me money) was the original title from Myke Luhv.


SMiLE Brian-
Keeping OldSurferDude alive since late 2012.

A bit off topic but is this interview available online?

If you hear the phrase 'good vibrations' in any song OTHER than Good Vibrations, RUN.  Run like the wind!   ;)

They were doing that crap from the beginning, what's that song (don't like it) about "the guys that brought you Rock and Roll" or whatever it's called?  Starts out talking about Danny & the Jr.'s?    They didn't have the balls to talk about themselves yet, but the sentiment and the vibe is the exact same thing they did later.  Brian was all in on it too. 

Something the Stones would have never done.  For real! 

Embarrassing lyrics indeed, but man, Carl certainly delivers.

I usually don't have a problem with it, I like cheese, but "do you remember" is god awful. 

Nothing embarrassing or cheesy about Do You Remember. Nice little rocker giving credit to those who came before. Like the bass line.  Pretty sure Carole Kaye played that  :lol

Actually, "Do You Remember" was chosen for the Spirit Of America album. I like the song, too, but, of all the songs they coulda picked...

Big, big, big fan of Do You Remember.

My EH is in absentia (with a friend who is obsessed with the various CalGirls stereo remixes on the market). BUT...

AGD book say:
- written during the promo campaign that preceded 15 Big Ones
- EH version is the original recording intended for First Love ('78)
- Other versions kickin' 'round include one with an orchestral intro
- And the band had a stab at it during LA

And there's a Mike Love Not War whale song version out there on YouTube - Christian's vocals are beautiful.

Personally, I think it's a thinly veiled prophecy about Brian's health concerns earlier this year.

Sorry, got spirit of america confused with spirit of '76 there for a minute (which I also don't like)