The Smiley Smile Message Board

For such an original fellow, Brian really "ripped off" a lot of songs and musicians.  Or at least knowingly borrowed something from a lot of songs and musicians or even other things.  Maybe this will be interesting or maybe not, but I propose making a list of either confirmed or alledged "inspirations" of Brian's that led to songs.

I'll start:

Sweet Little Sixteen => Surfin' USA
When You Wish Upon a Star => Surfer Girl
The Boy from New York City => The Girl from New York City
Ticket to Ride => Girl Don't Tell Me
Watermelon Man => Our Car Club
"Bacharach" => Let's go away for Awhile
James Bond Movies => Pet Sounds

etc...

Their Hearts Were Full of Spring => A Young Man Is Gone
Save the Last Dance for Me => Heroes and Villains
Mountain of Love => Little Children

I thought "Girl Don't tell Me" was recorded before "Ticket to Ride" was released.  However, I'm far to lazy to go look up recording and release dates.

That's why I allowed "alledged" inspirations on the list.  For the sake of interest, you know.  But in any case:

Girl Don't Tell Me:  April 30, '65.
Ticket to Ride:  Feb 15, '65.

Good topic.  Two points: I would say that there was even more "inspiration" flowing back the other way, when you look at how copied Brian was (particularly "Surfin USA") , but also that I think most songwriters work this way.  eg:

"Ticket To Ride"=>"Mr. Tambourine Man"

Or at least they have said they were copying the Byrds.

The Beatles (particularly McCartney) have been among the most forthright in saying that  a lot of their songs sprung from other peoples' work. McCartney revealed fairly recently that he cribbed the intro to "In My Life" from "Tracks Of My Tears" which suddenly seemed obvious.

Lastly, I would have said:

"Bacharach"=> "Guess I'm Dumb"

And there's Brian's homage/obsession with "Shortenin' Bread" on several songs...

Well, goodness knows I do.  Not that I'm a songwriter.

Two Monkees examples: "Last Train To Clarksville" sprang from "Paperback Writer" (including a misheard lyric, but also musically) and when they thought the Goffin/King demo of "Pleasant Valley Sunday" needed a riff, they modelled the one they added on George Harrison's "I Want To Tell You". 

Those are more specific swipes than some of the ones mentioned here; except maybe the "Save the Last Dance"/"Heroes And Villains" example, which is similar.

McCartney also said he took his bass part for "I Saw Her Standing There" wholesale from a Chuck Berry song ("You Can't Catch Me"?) and added, "So you see, a bass part doesn't have to be original to be great." (approximate quote).

Another Brian one:

Palisades Park => Amusement Parks USA

One of the biggest swipes ever would have been Dennis' outro, if it had been used, on the Christmas album (though that's not strictly a song-swipe).

Get a Job (by the Silhouettes)---> Night Bloomin' Jasmine

For that matter,

"Get a Job" (by the Silhouettes)--->"She's Goin' Bald"

...but I'd be tempted to call that more parody than lift.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star = And Your Dream Comes True . . . (Ha!)

And let's not forget . . . Brian didn't invent the harmonies either. He simply put his own spin on the complex vocal blends of groups like the Four Freshmen.

But that's what it's all about . . . putting your own spin on Rock 'n Roll.

M.

River deep mountain high - > Heroes & Villains     (the bass)

Roll Over Beethoven => Fun, Fun, Fun.

Makes you wonder how anyone could take the Beach Boys seriously for a while.

Baa Baa Black Sheep ---> And Your Dream Comes True


Of course, there's a whole other topic concerning Brian's self-plagarizing too...

some of these are getting rediculous. Palisades park and Amusment park USA????
Come on........


thats pretty weak if you ask me

"Release Me" - outro to "Fun, Fun, Fun"

"Papa Oom Mow Mow" - Water Chant

"Barbara Ann/Rock Around The Clock" - intro to "I Get Around"

"Swanee River" - "Surfin Down The Swanee River"

"Underwater" - chorus to "Do It Again"

Søren

Have you heard the original PP, with the descending organ riff?  It's copied pretty closely in Amusement Parks, just slower.  The songs themselves don't really sound anything alike, but I think it's a pretty clear reference to Palisades Park.  Just a little wink.

Be My Baby = Don't Worry Baby

San Miguel ---> Someone To Love (from Sweet Insanity)

 ;)

 :o it never occured to me!

I am in shock.   :)

hungry heart=getcha back
heart and soul=love ya

Listen to how they play the live version on the In Concert CD.

I once heard an old doo-wop-number that reminded me very much of "Gettin' in over my head". I don't remember the name of the group or song. I try to remember, but maybe someone other knows

Car Crazy Cutie/Pamela Jean - Runaround Sue (or any other Dion song)
He's a Doll/The one you can't have - Most Spector stuff
He couldn't get his poor old body to move - Da Doo Ron Ron
Kona Coast - Hawaii
Whats wrong - Similar chord sequence to Steamboat (both Dennis)
Games two can play - Games people play (doesn't really sound like it but mentions it)
Imagination - I'm gonna make you mine (Lou Christie)

>A few things I found out, not just by listening, but I did play them on the piano<

I wonder if these songs inspired one another:
It's Too Late (Carol King) (circa 1971)
<-> Caroline, No (BB, in the original Key from the Pet Sounds Box) (1966)
<-> Walk On By (Bacharach) (196?)
Although the tempos and rhytms are different, the chords and the (sad) moods are very similar.


And what about these?
When Girls Get Together = a slow motion variation of Heroes & Villains?
Heroes & Villains in 3/4 measure = Tulips From Amsterdam?

I read in a book that Brian was playing "Mack The Knife" on piano, fiddled around with it and came up with "Help Me Rhonda". I forget where I read it.

"Help me rhonda" comes from "Fanny mae"