The Smiley Smile Message Board

I know that as a whole most of us are interested in the more "mature" periods of the Beach Boys' music, but what's your favorite song from before the well-agreed upon first step in the new creative process of "The Beach Boys Today!"?

For me it would have to be Our Car Club. I love the melody, the saxophone, the lyrics (even though I know nothing about cars; what the hell is a low ET?), the harmonies (especially during the bridge and the last line of each verse), the drumming, and the overall feel of the song. It's really "rockin'" and the images it connotates about a bunch of guys driving around in fast cars wearing matching jackets and challenging people to races is just awesome. And the fact that it's probably all just hopeful thinking on the narrator's part, just a grandiose dream that'll never be fulfilled (sort of an early Wouldn't It Be Nice in that regard) makes it seem so.. real. I always have to listen to this song multiple times in a row; so much so that I'm afraid that it's going to get completely worn out on my Little Deuce Coupe records while all the other songs are still pristine.. that's the worst part about vinyl: the songs you like the most get ruined the fastest.

Favorite post-Today song would be way easier.

Can't choose.

Surfin' USA. It's just so...perfect.

Don't Worry Baby

Are you kidding?! You find it easier to choose from 30 years of music as opposed to 3?

Yep.
The early BBs are my favorite.

Wendy

Car Crazy Cutie

Oh, you predictable!!!!  :)

I Get Around.

No brainer there. I'm with Ian. 30 years of music, yes, but maybe 2 or 3 real good albums. Pre-Today, you had lots of killer stuff. I couldn't choose either.  Those 3 years yielded no less than 4 fantastic albums, plus Surfin Safari and Little Deuce Coupe (about 1/2 a fantastic album due to the repeats).

ET equals "Elapsed Time."  You'd want a low one of those in a drag, I suppose.

after some thought, it's gotta be 'Warmth of the Sun"...That song still knocks me out everytime I play it. EveryTIME!

Haha, that's silly. I figured it was some sort of engine reading or something like that. Or maybe the position of the car itself.

Whatever, it still sounds cool.

Err...I dunno. Maybe at the moment "Catch a Wave", although maybe it's "Warmth of the Sun" or "Drive In" or "This Car of Mine".

Too hard.

I'll go with 'Warmth of the Sun'...maybe 'Shut Down' ('cause I used to think it was sooooo bad-ass).

Warmth of the Sun - head and shoulders above the rest. I'm a post-Today fan on the whole though - still only got these early ones on vinyl.

Don't Worry Baby

warmth of the Sun/dont worry baby has gotta be it...album: all summer long....

surprised i havnt seen lonely sea or farmer's daughter, those used to be favs of people on the blueboard...many time ago when i actually posted avidly on there.

That probably explains why you're not seeing them here.

Very hard choice.  No, I don't prefer the more 'mature' music.  Or to put it this way, if I had to choose between everything pre-Today and everything post Smile I'd go with pre-Today.  This is really hard, I'd love to say 'Warmth of The Sun' but I'll go with 'All Summer Long' because that song is a perfect expression of joy in life and youth tinged with sadness at the knowledge of it's transitory nature.  Abiding themes and moods in Beach Boys songs which is part of the reason why they appeal to me so much.  "Won't last forever.  It's kinda sad!" you could say.

"All Summer Long" or "Surfer Girl"

Hahaha, I was just going to suggest Lonely Sea. But in the end it loses to I Get Around. In fact, they all lose to I Get Around. Every song. Ever. (Except Do You Like Worms)

I Get Around. Hands down.

I'd probably go for 'The Surfer Moon'.

Take a listen to the stereo version (2nd stereo vocal mix) on UM.Vol.3, check out Brian's lead and backing vocals .. sublime 8)