The Smiley Smile Message Board

Smiley Smile Stuff => General On Topic Discussions => Topic started by: ThyRavenAscend on March 04, 2014, 01:02:28 AM



Title: "Brian's Back"
Post by: ThyRavenAscend on March 04, 2014, 01:02:28 AM
So what's the general attitude toward this song on the forum?  I hadn't listened to it before MiC, and, I must say, I love it.  So many feels when I listen to it--but I don't really know the "real" back-story behind the song.  Someone care to expound a bit on this? :)


Title: Re: \
Post by: RiC on March 04, 2014, 01:13:36 AM
It's funny, and kinda awkward, but not bad. I'm glad it wasn't on any actual studio album.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 04, 2014, 05:10:16 AM
Which version ? There's at least three by Mike as well as the BB attempt. Personally I like the one with the little orchestral intro.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 04, 2014, 05:18:19 AM
So what's the general attitude toward this song on the forum?  I hadn't listened to it before MiC, and, I must say, I love it.  So many feels when I listen to it--but I don't really know the "real" back-story behind the song.  Someone care to expound a bit on this? :)

Written by Mike in about 1976 and recorded for his 1978 First Love album, after the band had a stab during the LA sessions. A version - not the best, IMHYEO -  was released on Endless Harmony and in 2005 or thereabout Mike recut it for the Mike Love, Not War solo album.

The MiC track is a Mike solo version. Yes, that is Carl. He's on a few other First Love tracks too...


Title: Re: \
Post by: clack on March 04, 2014, 06:51:16 AM
Mike doesn't get a lot of love for his solo-written stuff, but some of it is pretty good -- at least as good as Al's songs, anyway. I've always liked 'Brian's Back'. It's filler, but catchy filler.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Gregg on March 04, 2014, 08:19:36 AM
What makes the song is Carl's vocal. When he comes in with "They say that Brian is back" it takes a very mediocre song to a whole new level. And then his YSBIM falsetto line at the end is spine-tinglingly good!

So that's why I don't like the MIC version. Carl's vocal was brought down in the mix for some inexplicable reason.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Pim on March 04, 2014, 10:06:34 AM
It's cheesy, over the top, borrows a bit too much from previous songs, but I still really like it.


Title: Re: \
Post by: lance on March 04, 2014, 12:00:12 PM
It is a song best listened to in a sound proof room so that no one hears you listening to it,, but then it's OK.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Micha on March 04, 2014, 12:22:05 PM
Personally, I think it's terrible. ;D


Title: Re: \
Post by: SMiLE Brian on March 04, 2014, 12:39:52 PM
It's funny how Mike wanted to use this on a solo album. It's a musical version of "my cousin Brian"


Title: Re: \
Post by: silodweller on March 04, 2014, 02:57:50 PM
I've never heard the version with the orchestral intro but I have to say that I love the version found on the Endless Harmony soundtrack, especially that acoustic guitar solo in the middle.  The version found on MIC completely ruins the feel, and I honestly don't like that mix either. 


Title: Re: \
Post by: bossaroo on March 04, 2014, 07:29:30 PM
sentimental sap indeed.

Mike's lyrical talents were long gone by the time he wrote this one.

but it does bring a tear to someone's eye:
http://youtu.be/CxnWvfJ1Q6E?t=2m41s


Title: Re: \
Post by: Jim V. on March 04, 2014, 07:42:52 PM
sentimental sap indeed.

Mike's lyrical talents were long gone by the time he wrote this one.

but it does bring a tear to someone's eye:
http://youtu.be/CxnWvfJ1Q6E?t=2m41s

I don't know whether it's funny or sad to see Mike crying while reciting such self referential lyrical bullshit.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Shane on March 04, 2014, 08:18:03 PM
I'm glad others have come forward in liking this song, as I was ashamed to admit how much I like it.  I listen to it with headphones, and sometimes when I'm alone, I find myself singing it and plunking out the chords on the piano.  But don't tell anybody.

Carl's voice just absolutely makes this song.  It was unfortunate to hear his part turned down so low in the mix on  MIC.  Also to my ears, it sounds like present-day Mike singing some of the verses.  His voice was stronger in 1978.  Anybody else hear this as well?



Title: Re: \
Post by: Ron on March 04, 2014, 09:58:06 PM
So what's the general attitude toward this song on the forum?  I hadn't listened to it before MiC, and, I must say, I love it.  So many feels when I listen to it--but I don't really know the "real" back-story behind the song.  Someone care to expound a bit on this? :)

You have to have some real balls to admit in public that you like this song.  I've always liked it, but it's another example of a beach boys song that's just Not... Quite... There.  Mike's lyrics would probably be alright if somebody went over them 1 more time.  If he had a co-writer who would just change a few words here and there, and a few lines here and there, it'd be a really solid song.  He does things lyrically that bug the HELL out of me.

"We once rode a cab, out of Salt Lake city Now... "

Why does he add the "Now" in there?  Weird as sh*t.  If he would just change the melody slightly, it would go "Out of Salt Lake City.... coming up with fun, fun fun" and it would be just fine.  It's got that weird "Now" in there, though, that makes it corny and a little off.

He does that constantly, on about every song.  Just little minor things that could be touched up by somebody...

For whatever reason, I'm not really even in to Carl's vocals on it.  They're just a little off, not off key or anything of course, but they just don't quite get where they should be.  I don't know if they recorded the song in a weird key that Carl wasn't as good at, or what it is, but they just don't quite 'get there'.  Even the little "You Still Believe In Me" flourish on the end doesn't sound as great as the original song. 

I like the sentiment behind the song, and for the most part I enjoy it, but it's another Beach Boys song that doesn't quite hit the mark.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Jim V. on March 04, 2014, 10:36:41 PM
You know what really gets me? Why this song, which is a solo Mike Love song (albeit with Carl on it too), gets included on Made In California while other stuff that are actually "Beach Boys" recordings get left off, is beyond me. I know it was probably a political decision with Mike probably wanting a certain number of "his" songs on there or whatever. But if he did want his songs on there, why not put actual Beach Boys recordings like his alternate version of "Big Sur" or some other outtake. Shoot, I'd take that horrendous version of "At the Hop" that he sang lead on rather than this again.

And if they had to include "Brian's Back", why not include the actual Beach Boys version that was recorded in 1978 and produced by Brian. I'm not sure if a lead vocal was recorded, but if not, either fly in his vocal for his solo version or, even better, just have him record a new vocal.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Nicko1234 on March 05, 2014, 02:07:44 AM
You know what really gets me? Why this song, which is a solo Mike Love song (albeit with Carl on it too), gets included on Made In California while other stuff that are actually "Beach Boys" recordings get left off, is beyond me. I know it was probably a political decision with Mike probably wanting a certain number of "his" songs on there or whatever. But if he did want his songs on there, why not put actual Beach Boys recordings like his alternate version of "Big Sur" or some other outtake. Shoot, I'd take that horrendous version of "At the Hop" that he sang lead on rather than this again.

And if they had to include "Brian's Back", why not include the actual Beach Boys version that was recorded in 1978 and produced by Brian. I'm not sure if a lead vocal was recorded, but if not, either fly in his vocal for his solo version or, even better, just have him record a new vocal.

There certainly were some odd inclusions and omissions. If they were to have included a song from Mike`s solo career than a genuinely unreleased onw would have been much more welcome.

Brian`s Back is ok but there are certainly better songs on First Love and several remain unreleased.


Title: Re: \
Post by: scooby1970 on March 05, 2014, 04:19:27 AM
I really like the Endless Harmony and Made In California versions of this song. I think it's a great melody, and when Carl kicks in, it's lifted from a good song into a very good song.

:) Mark


Title: Re: \
Post by: Gregg on March 05, 2014, 07:16:42 AM

For whatever reason, I'm not really even in to Carl's vocals on it.  They're just a little off, not off key or anything of course, but they just don't quite get where they should be.  I don't know if they recorded the song in a weird key that Carl wasn't as good at, or what it is, but they just don't quite 'get there'.  Even the little "You Still Believe In Me" flourish on the end doesn't sound as great as the original song. 


What?! Really? What exactly do you find "a liitle off" about Carl's vocal? His pitch is perfect. His phrasing is beautiful. He sings each line with that sensitive breath control that only Carl could pull of so well. And regarding the key of the song, it actually modulates to a higher key, and he sounds equally amazing in BOTH keys. Anyway, the key a song is in is not a factor for a singer at Carl's level of ability. Maybe the range of the melody in a particular key but no key is easier to sing than another. The intervals all transpose equally.

I guess it's a subjective thing whether you like his vocal or not, but it's clearly a quality performance by Carl. Maybe his vocal shines even more because Mike's vocal is rather weak.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Ron on March 05, 2014, 08:06:15 AM
I love Carl's voice on most things, but there's something about the way it sounds, to my ear on that song that's just off.  It may just be that it's a "Brian Style" falsetto, but not Brian singing it... It'd be like Carl mixed into the falsetto on California Girls, i'm sure he'd sing it dead in key and it'd sound fine, but it wouldn't quite be right because I'd expect Brian's voice...

Just personal preference, and as for the key I'm not saying he's off-key, I was just supposing that maybe there's certain keys that he doesn't sound as full on.  Could be wrong.

I think he sounds much better with this 'type' of falsetto on things like "All This Is That" or something like that. 



Title: Re: \
Post by: shadownoze on March 05, 2014, 08:29:20 AM
I always thought Mike was taking a boastful dig at Brian with the line: "You fell in love with a pretty cheerleader; I EVEN MARRIED ONE!"


Title: Re: \
Post by: job on March 05, 2014, 09:13:35 AM
I love it.  Awesome stuff. 


Title: Re: \
Post by: Watch a Cave on March 05, 2014, 02:33:27 PM
I just cant get past that cheerleader line..  ugggh.  It really turns me off.  So corny.

Carl does have a nice vocal though.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Dave Modny on March 05, 2014, 03:06:55 PM
I just cant get past that cheerleader line..  ugggh.  It really turns me off.  So corny.

Carl does have a nice vocal though.


"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds..." is the one that really makes me wince. Structurally. Contextually. Everything about it...lol.


But, that's just me.


Title: Re: \
Post by: bachelorofbullets on March 05, 2014, 05:56:59 PM
Love the song but Mike is such a polarizing figure it's difficult to get around that.

I would throw it in with California Saga and Airplane, amazing music that nobody knows about.


Title: Re: \
Post by: alf wiedersehen on March 05, 2014, 05:58:30 PM
I greatly dislike this song.


Title: Re: \
Post by: bossaroo on March 05, 2014, 05:59:50 PM
and for good reason.


Title: Re: \
Post by: ThyRavenAscend on March 05, 2014, 06:05:20 PM
Mike's self-referential lyrics are terrible as always.  If his friends really cared about him, they would tell him to stop lol.  But I s'pose it's difficult to get a guy to stop writing self-referential lyrics when he constantly wears a hat bearing his band's logo or his own last name.

Now, I'm no scholar of Beach Boys history and the riff that transpired between Brian & Mike, but there are things about this song that just seem so genuine of Mike.  I generally don't have as warm of feelings toward Mike as I do Brian, but he's human like the rest of us, and I have to believer that he's sincere in some capacity in this song.  I LOVE the lyrics that show that their relationship goes all the way back to their childhood...because they're family.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Nicko1234 on March 05, 2014, 06:33:45 PM
Mike's self-referential lyrics are terrible as always.  If his friends really cared about him, they would tell him to stop lol.  But I s'pose it's difficult to get a guy to stop writing self-referential lyrics when he constantly wears a hat bearing his band's logo or his own last name.

Now, I'm no scholar of Beach Boys history and the riff that transpired between Brian & Mike, but there are things about this song that just seem so genuine of Mike.  I generally don't have as warm of feelings toward Mike as I do Brian, but he's human like the rest of us, and I have to believer that he's sincere in some capacity in this song.  I LOVE the lyrics that show that their relationship goes all the way back to their childhood...because they're family.

Mike has never written a riff in his life!  :)


Title: Re: \
Post by: Dancing Bear on March 05, 2014, 07:33:14 PM
A nice tune. I do believe the lyrics are heartfelt and genuine, but they also kill the song comercially. Maybe it could have been an 'almost summer' level hit with more generic lyrics.


Title: Re: \
Post by: ThyRavenAscend on March 05, 2014, 08:31:38 PM
Mike's self-referential lyrics are terrible as always.  If his friends really cared about him, they would tell him to stop lol.  But I s'pose it's difficult to get a guy to stop writing self-referential lyrics when he constantly wears a hat bearing his band's logo or his own last name.

Now, I'm no scholar of Beach Boys history and the riff that transpired between Brian & Mike, but there are things about this song that just seem so genuine of Mike.  I generally don't have as warm of feelings toward Mike as I do Brian, but he's human like the rest of us, and I have to believer that he's sincere in some capacity in this song.  I LOVE the lyrics that show that their relationship goes all the way back to their childhood...because they're family.

Mike has never written a riff in his life!  :)

Hah!  ;D


Title: Re: \
Post by: CenturyDeprived on March 05, 2014, 11:27:03 PM
I know some people may think it's crazy, but I think Carl's swooning vocal at the end (doing the "You Still Believe in Me" melody) tops Brian's vocal of this same exact part on the original from Pet Sounds. By a lot, actually.

As absolutely great as Brian's is, Carl's just has that insane "Carl" thing about it that gives me chills. No foolin'. I've actually replayed that end part of the song quite a bit, I think it's *that* good. Almost tells me Carl was reallllly trying hard there (not that he didn't typically try hard to deliver good vocals anyway) in order to pay the utmost respect to one of the absolute holiest moments in the BB catalog ("You Still Believe in Me").

It's so weird because the song Brian's Back itself is so kinda overall "meh" - well meaning and ok musically/ lyrically in places (I think Mike was being very sincere and some of it works), but really super unbearably, unspeakably cheesy and/or straight up BAD in other parts... and then all of a sudden at the very end of the song, out pops one of my favorite moments in the whole BBs catalog.

It's such a giant WTF moment, and an example of what someone once posted on this board about no other band besides these guys having the juxtaposition of musical moments that could be considered "lard", juxtaposed with unspeakably sublime shimmering beauty.
It's surreal, really.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Gregg on March 06, 2014, 07:35:33 AM
I know some people may think it's crazy, but I think Carl's swooning vocal at the end (doing the "You Still Believe in Me" melody) tops Brian's vocal of this same exact part on the original from Pet Sounds. By a lot, actually.

As absolutely great as Brian's is, Carl's just has that insane "Carl" thing about it that gives me chills. No foolin'. I've actually replayed that end part of the song quite a bit, I think it's *that* good. Almost tells me Carl was reallllly trying hard there (not that he didn't typically try hard to deliver good vocals anyway) in order to pay the utmost respect to one of the absolute holiest moments in the BB catalog ("You Still Believe in Me").

It's so weird because the song Brian's Back itself is so kinda overall "meh" - well meaning and ok musically/ lyrically in places (I think Mike was being very sincere and some of it works), but really super unbearably, unspeakably cheesy and/or straight up BAD in other parts... and then all of a sudden at the very end of the song, out pops one of my favorite moments in the whole BBs catalog.

It's such a giant WTF moment, and an example of what someone once posted on this board about no other band besides these guys having the juxtaposition of musical moments that could be considered "lard", juxtaposed with unspeakably sublime shimmering beauty.
It's surreal, really.

Wow! Very well said and my sentiments exactly! Carl's vocal at the end, for me, is also one of those BB moments of "unspeakably sublime shimmering beauty". "Juxtaposed" was also a word that kept coming to mind when I was writing that earlier post. Carl's vocal is just way WAY too good for that song.

The other thing you touched on is the difference between Brian's and Carl's falsetto voice. The thing that has always amazed me about Carl's falsetto is the fact that there is no clear discernible break between his full voice and his falsetto. His falsetto sounds pretty much like his full voice, at least when he wants it to - like the end of this song. And while Brian could easliy and smoothly transition to falsetto, you can clearly hear the difference. His falsetto voice has that distinctive reedy whiny quality. I love both, of course, but the way Carl was able to make his falsetto sound like an extension of his full voice has always amazed me.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Ron on March 06, 2014, 08:16:21 AM
I just cant get past that cheerleader line..  ugggh.  It really turns me off.  So corny.

Carl does have a nice vocal though.


"Not to mention ol' Pet Sounds..." is the one that really makes me wince. Structurally. Contextually. Everything about it...lol.


But, that's just me.


I know, man.  It's not just you, it's god awful.  I like Mike and I even like his songwriting sometimes but he should have spent some more time touching up lines like that.  It's hard to gracefully pat yourself on the back though by name dropping all of your songs you recorded.  He should have just left the song titles out and kept talking about how cool Brian was behind the scenes.  The best part is when he talks about them sitting on their grandma's lap singing Danny Boy. 



Title: Re: \
Post by: Smilin Ed H on March 06, 2014, 08:49:55 AM
Mike's grasp of lyric writing largely leaves the room (if not the planet) in the early-mid 70s. There is some good stuff out there, but there's a sharp decline. Mind you, there's  sharp decline in song quality too.


Title: Re: \
Post by: punkinhead on March 06, 2014, 09:06:06 PM
It's Mike at his best! You know how much he loves the old formula and using old song titles and lyrics in songs...it's one of the few that isn't a recall to surfing/cars songs in a cheesy way (ie Kona Coast/Some of Your Love/Summer in Paradise/etc)...perhaps the lyrics reference old days and old dodge ramblers, but the style is definately better than retreading oldies. And sure, he does recall YSBIM, which was over ten years old, but it's a great vocal and reference to ol' Pet Sounds...how many Mike retreading songs does that?


Title: Re: \
Post by: clack on March 07, 2014, 08:43:41 AM
Mike's grasp of lyric writing largely leaves the room (if not the planet) in the early-mid 70s. There is some good stuff out there, but there's a sharp decline. Mind you, there's  sharp decline in song quality too.
Mike was never a craftsman -- I get the impression that he would just dash his lyrics off, even the good, early ones. That's what gave the 1963-65 lyrics their fresh, casual energy.

When Mike hit his 30s, he understandably lost touch with youth culture, which up to then had provided his main subject. He had to fall back to writing about nostalgia or the Maharishi. 'Brian's Back' is not about Brian being away and now coming back, or even Brian never really being away at all -- it's just another excuse to reference songs of the glory years, just another nostalgia song.

But what an interesting song Mike could have written: "I started a garage band with my cousin, then it turned out he was this musical genius. At the height of our great success, he grew mentally ill and afterwards the band seemed washed-up. It was a scary time for all of us. Now, we have hope that Brian is back to become our musical leader once more."

Instead, the only really personal touch we get from Mike is Danny Boy and grandpa's knee. But then Mike has never been a writer of personal, confessional lyrics.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Andrew G. Doe on March 07, 2014, 03:35:06 PM
But then Mike has never been a writer of personal, confessional lyrics.

Guess you've never heard "Kiss me, Baby".


Title: Re: \
Post by: Freddie French-Pounce on March 07, 2014, 03:50:28 PM
I greatly dislike Carl's vocal here. I have no idea why. It just doesn't feel right. Mike's vocal is great because he sounds like a little kid.


Title: Re: \
Post by: jet without wings on March 07, 2014, 05:39:35 PM
Simply, I like the song,. A little syrupy but heartfelt, the lyrics work and Carl and Mikes vocals compliment each other. I don't think it ever could have been commercial and considering the disarray and disharmony the late 70's would bring the boys it was probably good it was never released at that time.

Jet without wings


Title: Re: \
Post by: Robbie Mac on March 07, 2014, 11:34:32 PM
But then Mike has never been a writer of personal, confessional lyrics.

Guess you've never heard "Kiss me, Baby".

But how much of that was input from Brian (by that,  I mean translating Brian's thoughts in lyric form) as opposed to Mike opening himself writing about himself, which I am assuming is what clack means.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Orange Crate Art on March 09, 2014, 12:52:15 PM
I don't like the song. But I must say that Carl sounds great on it.


Title: Re: \
Post by: Ron on March 09, 2014, 02:40:07 PM
I greatly dislike Carl's vocal here. I have no idea why. It just doesn't feel right.

At least 1 person in the world agrees with me.  THANK YOU FREDDIE, MY SOULMATE (not in a gay way... although there's nothing wrong wtih that)