The Smiley Smile Message Board

Damn, I wished Brian woulda finished the 1970 version. 

And I wonder why there isn't a much better quality '63 version that exists. Sounds like the song was pretty much done, but didn't make the cut. Maybe Brian thought he'd already released Farmer's Daughter and that was enough of that subject matter (?). Good backing track and lead and background vocals, worthy of release. Maybe somebody could work with some software and bring this track up to snuff audio quality wise.

It can be done, easily.

I've always thought that the 1963 version is one of the few unreleased Beach Boys recordings that could have been given a proper mix and just released as is. There are no bum notes or off key vocals like there are in a few other unreleased tracks. I don't really hear any need for overdubs or anything like that. All it really needs is a proper fade out.

The 63 version is tops in my book. But which album would it have fit on? Maybe Shut Down Vol. II.

 It's too '63' sounding for All Summer Long.

I like where he was going in 70 but I don't think it's got the pizazz of the first one, or even the released version. I suppose they could have done a sort of earthy album at the time with some Dennis songs, Cottonfields, etc. I don't think Back Home fits on Sunflower, it's far too wholegrain wheat for that.

The released version puzzles me. I would like it better if it had the bridge in the 63 version, or even if I didn't know that there had ever been a bridge. As it is, I do kind of like it, though.

Fun fact: When the Beach Boys played Back Home at a concert in Michigan in 1978, Brian sang "I'm gonna spend my summer, back hooooome!", like Al does in the unreleased 1970 version.

Which concert was that? The show I saw in October, 1978 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI had Brian leaving the stage mid-song during "Back Home"! Mike had to run over and grab the microphone to finish the song since Brian was performing the lead.

I guess Brian suddenly realized he wanted to be "Back Home" so he left?

Reminds me of Presley cuttin' a song in the sudio called "Goin' home" and on the outtakes you can hear him saying "I don't know how to improve on that, except for goin' home"   :-D  Maybe Brian had the same idea

1978 gigs in Michigan:

August:
11 - Pine Knob, Clarkston MI
12 - Pine Knob, Clarkston MI
13 - Pine Knob, Clarkston MI
25 - Buccaneer Stadium, Grand Haven, MI [w/Jan & Dean]

October:
27 - Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor, MI

It was the 8/25/78 concert in Grand Haven, MI. Right before Bruce's permanently temporary return less than a month later.

Thanks - just curious since it reminded me of the embarrassing moment during the October show. Brian's departure, by the way, was literally in mid-line during the second verse (Brian was on bass as well which he set down as he left the stage).

The odd thing about my memory of that show is that I do not recall Bruce being there. I certainly knew who he was and I was relatively close to the stage, so seeing him would have been a pleasant surprise. But no, no memory of him being there at all. I know the official word is that Bruce was present at the Crisler Arena show, but did anyone else here attend that particular show who can confirm that Bruce participated?

Was there sny explanation or reason given as to why Brian suddenly left?

nature called

Brian gestured to his ear as he left the stage, so it may have been bothering him. I see that as more of an excuse given how unpredictable he was during this period. After the song concluded, Mike stated that Brian had been partying too much the night before and had too much of a hangover to continue. He encouraged the crowd to "Boo Brian!" which I found very embarrassing; it was obvious that Mike was trying to do some damage control and make light of Brian's bizarre behavior. It was only a few songs later when Dennis was almost forcibly removed from his drum kit. He returned during the encore to stand on top of the grand piano and pretend to machine gun the audience with a broom (Al announced: "Ladies and Gentleman, the return of Dennis Wilson!"). Dennis then proceeded to perform a fairly drunken version of "You Are So Beautiful".

The 1976 verison of Back Home still rocks in my book!

I agree. The 76 version has that chorus which just takes the whole song somewhere cool. When I hear different version hunger for that chorus that never comes.

What if...

The Beach Boys had released Back Home in 1963, would it have affected the legacy?
It would in my ears had become a top 20 song... and deverted the band from the "surf and fun"-branding they still have in many peoples
eyes...

I can't imagine it would have had too big an impact. Keep in mind that "In My Room" was a considerable hit from '63 and yet this beautifully introspective song did little to divert the "surf and fun" branding.

No more impact the One After 909 would have impacted the Beatles if the original version had been released. Which is to say "not at all".

I prefer the demo version of 909 so...

But! The Back Home 1963 has a production style that wasn't used before in beach boys land...

Had it been a hit, would that have led to more saxophone-driven songs? If so, I pass.

*like*

If the '63 version of "Back Home" was released at the time, psychedelic rock would've never happened.

Honestly, I think Back Home woulda sounded great on the Surfer Girl album. With that drum pounding start, it sounds so much like a Surfer Girl era tune (which I think it was).

Then it woulda been cool had Brian re-visit (as he did) Back Home for the Sunflower album (and it fits the theme: "Back yards where folks keep their SUNFLOWERS growin)

Then re-visit again for 15 Big Ones as a rocker in concert and the album.

Brian re-visits/references so many songs, it's hard to keep em all straight.

He likes playing mix and match.

I do too. It has more energy than the 1969 version. Still, I don't think it would have changed the Beatles legacy at all had it been released on, say, With the Beatles. That goes for Back Home. The only lasting impact it would have left on the BB legacy is an altered track list. That's it.

Pass as in, not a fan of sax driven songs?

I feel like Brian had plenty: Drive In, Salt Lake City, Here Today, Little Girl I Once Knew (well, that's more bass/organ driven isn't it?)

Yes, very much pass as in not liking sax-driven songs. Of course, there are exceptions that I like, especially Here Today and TLGIOK, and the bassier sax the better, but basically saxophones make my ears cringe.

I agree, or Brian's mix of sax's with other instrumental parts like on Kiss Me Baby is so good.