The Smiley Smile Message Board

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

And now, without further ado, let's begin!

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 18

In My Room
Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
Breakaway
This Whole World
'Til I Die
Goin' On
Soul Searchin'
From Here To Back Again

I don't think Goin' On has enough goin' on to go on any further.

Oh blimey; what an ask.

Goin' On… I guess…

Goin' On

Goin' On by a mile. I only didn't vote against it in the 1978-2012 round because there were so many other below-par songs to vote for.

Goin' On

Soul Searchin'

Soul Searchin'

Goin' On

Soul Searchin'

Goin on

Edit:  Soul Searchin'

Goin' On.

Soul Searcin'.

List looks totally naked with out -  I GET around.

Goin on.

SS  :police:

Soul Searchin'

Soul Searchin

Goin' On.

Soul Searchin'.  Pretty average track  that seems to be popular for Carl's vocal

Soul Searchin'

Soul Searchin

Soul Searchin'.

Soul Searchin'. Vocal arrangement feels off.

Please Let Me Wonder

Goin on

Goin On

Soul Searchin'

Soul Searchin'

Goin' On

Soul Searchin'.

Goin' On

Soul Searchin'

Goin' on

From Here To Back Again for me.

Soul Searchin'

Gonna Yawn

Goin' On...

This is so exciting!  :3d

Soul Searchin'

Goin' On

‍

From Here To Back Again

Breakaway

SS

TSS: Surf's Up

"Soul Searchin'". How did that one even make the cut over "You're Still A Mystery" which is far more interesting musically?

‍

   GOIN' ON

Goin' On


This one's gonna get tough.  :-\

"In My Room"

Soul Searchin

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Soul Searchin' found itself voted out pretty quickly. (23)(http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

And now, without further ado, let's begin!

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 20

In My Room
Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
Breakaway
This Whole World
'Til I Die
Goin' On
From There To Back Again

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18

I don't think Goin' On has enough goin' on to go on any further.

Goin' On.

Goin' On

                                         Goooo - iiiiiin' On!
                                 ooh
                          ooh
                    ooh
             ooh
       ooh
Ooh

Goin' out

Not me!  I'm still "In My Room"...looks a bit damp out.

Goin' On

Goin' On

Goin' On

From Nair To Back Hair Again

Just for fun I put together this Dragontape playlist featuring all the Super Survivors. Some are live and others may or may not work or be the correct version, but I just thought it would be fun.

http://www.dragontape.com/#!/6435701050572800 (http://www.dragontape.com/#!/6435701050572800)

go in on

Goin' On

From Here To Back Again

Goin On.

Goin' On

Goin' On. Decent number ruined by the production.

From THere To Back Again

goin goin... gone

Breakaway

Please Let Me Wonder

I'll keep you company. :)

In My Room.

‍

Goin' On

Goin' on

.

Come on, who the heck chose these? Where's Summer In Paradise? Or Hey Little Tomboy? Got to be kiddin' me. Not gonna vote in this pitiful contest.

Goin On

Goin' On

Hey Little Tomboy was voted out in round#4 of Survivor#26 and Summer in Paradise was the final track voted out in round#6 of Survivor#32 neither of which albums you ever particiapted in voting apparently.  >:D

Goin' On

Goin' On (which should have been out at least two rounds ago)

Goin' On isn't gone yet?

Goin' On

TSS: Surf's Up

Goin on

Don't Worry Baby

^ wrong

The answer we were looking for was "Goin' On".  (which is my vote...)

Goin' On

Goin' on

God onl.....Goin On

I think it's interesting that heroes and villains beat good vibrations in its original round, but GV outlasted H&V when it was chosen as a wild card.

As you probably know, that's because Good Vibrations was voted out not on merit but because of the completely irrelevant criterion of "not belonging on the album".

Hmmmm really? I didn't know that. I started participating during the sunflower round.

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Goin' On has gone on; puttin' on a great fight. But in the end there wasn't enough Goin' On so now we say "Good-bye". (30)(http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

And now, without further ado, let's begin!

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 22

In My Room
Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
Breakaway
This Whole World
'Til I Die
From There To Back Again

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20

Gets tough from here for me.

In My Room. As wonderful as it is, it's just not as interesting as the other tracks.

FTTBA

In My Room

From There To Back Again.

Breakaway

From There to Back Again.  Great song, but the 2012 studio tricks can't quite hold up to vintage 60's and 70's.

Please Let Me Wonder

Surfs up 2011. Let's get this imposter outta here…!

FTTBA

Why do my favorite tracks keep getting voted off?

Breakaway

Surf's up

Breakaway

From There To Back Again    :(

In My Room.

Breakaway

From There to Back Again

‍

Surf's Up

FTTBA

Good song, but cannot fight against those classics, and dont get me started on the joe thomas... I mean, auto tune.

From There To Back Again

From There To Back Again

After much Soul Searchin', I'm now Goin' On to vote for Surf's Up.

Breakaway

From There To Back Again

Oh my God - From There To Back Again, without a doubt. Joe Thomas? Auto-tune? Whatever the merits of the song, these factors ensure it just absolutely cannot compare to their authentically-sung '60's/'70's classics. 

Breakaway

From there to back again

FTTBA

i love it, but it can't quite compete with the classics.

In my room

This Whole World

Breakaway

Please Let Me Wonder

From There To Back Again

In My Room

In My Room

Sorry about the late tally. It will come in a few hours.

You are under no pressure from us.  Sunday can get real busy for everybody.  Don't even set the tally up for a Sunday, or a Saturday.  Gives us more of a chance to get our votes in.  Weekends should be off days.  Hope you had a good one, I did.

No, no… I'm distressed! You'll be hearing from my lawyer! I want a full refund!!!!!   :p

This is a 24/7 board.  We don't "weekend" here!

in my room

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

From There To Back Again has gone "there".. meaning... down below in bold red.  (15) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

Looks like we have obliterated everything post-1971. I guess it's clear which eras get the most love.

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 25

In My Room
Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
Breakaway
This Whole World
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23

Gets tough from here for me.

In My Room. As wonderful as it is, it's just not as interesting as the other tracks.

Surf's Up

Time for Breakaway to Breakaway from this round!

A sad farewell From There To Back Again: Let us take a minute to remember Al's fine fine whistlin' interlude:

(http://s15.postimg.org/4ys7rnmx3/walter.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4ys7rnmx3/)

This round I'm voting for S'Up (TSS)

In My Room

Please Let Me Wonder

Breakaway

Please Let Me Wonder

BTW, when are the solo survivors starting?

Surf's up

Breakaway

Suddenly it got tough.  I'm actually going with This Whole World.

Breakaway

In My Room

TSSurf's Up.

Breakaway

.

Yeah, go ahead, believe what you want,  be it true or laughably false.

And while you're at it, go ahead and start rambling on about different conspiracy theories, since you're the forum's resident conspiracy theorist.

‍

In My Room

In My Room.

Please Let Me Wonder

very good track, but there is something about the studio recording that turns me off. could also be carl's 'I love you' part.

In My Room

Breakaway

Please Let Me Wonder

(Wheeze met Lee Plunder.)

In My Room

I guess it's clear which eras get the Mike love...

Going with the populist opinion this time - In My Room

it was this or THis Whole World.

I've been from there to back again, sunlight faded and there's not much left to say.

i wanna break break shake shake the breakaway

Surf's Up

In my room

This Whole World

This Whole World

Please Let Me Wonder

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

He may have locked out all his trouble, worries and fear In his Room. But he couldn't lock out the votes!  (13) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 27

Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
Breakaway
This Whole World
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25

Gets tough from here for me.

Please Let Me Wonder should wander into the loser slot for Round#5.  

Breakaway

Breakaway

Now it's getting tough.

I love this song, but my vote is for Don't Worry Baby.

This Whole World, slightly.

Don't Worry, Baby.

Don't Worry, Baby

Surf's Up (TSS)

Breakaway

Jeez, these songs are are all top-of-the-pile.

"Break Away".

Surf's Up

Breakaway

"Please Let Me Wonder"

Surf's Up

Breakaway

Soup sup.

Plase let me wonder

It's great, I know, but I think is also the 'less original' and 'more repetitive' of the pile.

Please Let Me Wonder

Surf's up

Break Away

‍

Please Let Me Wonder- though I do love it, of course.

Breakaway

PLMW

This Whole World

...Dont Worry Bay-bay?

NO!!


Goin with Break-Away...hopefully to save the more worthy opponents.

I'm going into save those tracks mode too.  So, no joking around.

This Whole World

Okay, I can't be the only one who's noticed another decline in voting...

If you mean decline in numbers voting, might that not be because of the sheer pain of what we're now being asked to do?  I didn't vote much in the album rounds, but I swore I'd participate in the final round.  I'm just about holding it together for the first three or four but I  can't see how I'm going to manage to put fingers to keyboard to write words that mean I am rejecting Please Let me Wonder or God Only Knows or Don't Worry Baby.  It would feel so, so wrong.

Argh, this.  :'(

Yeah, Life's a bitch and then you have to vote in BB Ultimate Survivah

.

Yess, Like Russian Roulette, no??  >:D

Barring the potential bloody mess, splattered brain tissue, and loss of life... yes.

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Oh Boy! 10 smilers are jumping for joy now that Breakaway is gone.  (10) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally June 27

Don't Worry Baby
Please Let Me Wonder
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
This Whole World
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27

Gets tough from here for me.

Please Let Me Wonder should wander into the loser slot for Round#6.  

Please Let Me Wonder

Please Let Me Wonder

This Whole World

Don't Worry Baby

Surf's up

Don't Worry Baby

Don't Worry Baby

Please Let Me Wonder

Please Let Me Wonder

This Whole World

This whole world

 :'(

It's pretty painful at this point.  :-\

Please Let Me Wonder

sh*t.

Don't Worry Baby.

Surf's Up

Thoroughly amazed that a demo recording is beating out some of the most well sung and well produced songs of the era.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me TSS Surf's Up is the definitive officially released version of the song. I always thought Carl's lead was to breathy and soft and I prefer the delivery from Brian's demo. I hope it wins.

I'm not certain it should win considering all the stuff competing, but it's certainly the definitive version for me too. It's put together wonderfully on TSS to feel complete and it's one of Brian's very best vocals.

‍

Don't Worry, Baby.

I completely agree.

This Whole World

Please Let Me Wonder

Surf's Up (TSS)

What the Doc say:

S'UP

This Whole World

Please let me wonder

Doing this is like struggling through a final three every round.  I try and narrow it down, listening over and over.  I can't even decide between "Don't Worry Baby" and "Please Let Me Wonder."  And forget about me voting for "This Whole World" - that has a firm spot in my top 3.  I listened to about five different versions of "Surf's Up" this morning.  Really liked the Millennium Edition (2000) version with the instrumental opening.  Has a Burt B. feel, very nice.

This Whole World

God Only Knows that God Only Knows will not win this competition.

Please let me wonder

Please Let Me Wonder

sh*t, only just realized this was a new round  :-[

At least Breakaway is gone now!

This time it's time for

This Whole World

To Go Now!

Please Let Me Wonder

Surf's Up

This Whole World

Please Let Me Wonder

lets put this one to bed.

PLMW

This Whole World

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Please Let Me Wonder has wandered off into the sunset.  (15) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

Ok we are down to the last 6 tracks; we are HALF-WAY DONE!! Things should get pretty insanely hard to vote off from here on out.

BE BRAVE!  :3d

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally July 2

Don't Worry Baby
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
This Whole World
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30

Gets really tough from here for me.

Late at night I think about the track to vote of next...  :'(

I'm thinking about This Whole World... without This Whole World.

Quite pleasant actually. Could very much live with it!

TSS: Surf's Up

Don't Worry, Baby

This Whole World

I can no longer vote, these are too hard.

This Whole World

Surf's up

Not being brave.  >:D

Don't Worry Baby

Don't Worry Baby

Don't Worry Baby

This Whole World

Surf's Up

Alright, I vote for DWB.  When are the solo ones starting?

This Whole World.  Probably not even in my top 30.

Surf's Up.

Were it the '71 version I'd probably vote for This Whole World, but it ain't, so I'm not...

Surfs Up 2011.

Surf's Up (TSS)

Don't get all the votes for TWW -- that's my favorite of all the ones left.

Don't Worry, Baby

 ;D

The Solo Survivors will begin after BBUltimateSurvivor has been finished. I guess we would start with Pacific Ocean Blue, right?

This Whole World

'Till I Die.

I think TWW is much more complex and catchy. DWB is pure heaven, a perfect song.

A vote for "Don't Worry Baby" is a vote for genocide.

"This Whole World".

Sounds good to me.

I am weary of including Bruce's albums, but what about DAvid Mark's band The Moon?

This Whole World.  I love it, but I sometimes think of it like a collection of gorgeous sections while the others feel like complete, flowing works.

If your going down that path, wouldn't we start with the Marksmen?

Surf's Up

This Whole World

'TIl I Die

I do think we should go by chronological order. So I suppose Bruce's album from 1963 comes first, then possibly the two Moon albums, then Pacific Ocean Blue and Going Public, and so on.

I don't think Bruce's count because those predate his official admittance inti the BB. Besides which a lot of the solo albums  are not easily found.

The Pyjama Party one shouldn't as it's a live album. But it wouldn't be the worst idea to include Surfin' Round The World

This whole world

This Whole World

+1, well put. I'd go along with that.

My indecisiveness caught up with me at Round 5! Before that, it was pretty easy to choose!

Okay, here's the list of solo albums that could be used for the Survivor rounds (* for possible contenders)

1963 - Surfin' Round The World (Bruce)*
1968 - Without Earth (David with The Moon)*
1969 - The Moon (David with The Moon)*
1977 - Pacific Ocean Blue (Dennis)
1977 - Going Public (Bruce)
1977 - Blondie Chaplin (Blondie)
1981 - Carl Wilson (Carl)
1981 - Looking Back With Love (Mike)
1983 - Youngblood (Carl)
1988 - Brian Wilson (Brian)
1992 - Work Tapes (David)
1995 - I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (Brian)
1995 - Orange Crate Art (Brian and Van Dyke Parks)*
1998 - Imagination (Brian)
2000 - Like A Brother (Carl with Gerry Beckley and Robert Lamm)*
2003 - Something Funny Goin' On (David)
2004 - Gettin' In Over My Head (Brian)
2004 - Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE (Brian)
2005 - What I Really Want For Christmas (Brian)
2006 - I Think About You Often (David)
2006 - Between Us (Blondie)
2008 - That Lucky Old Sun (Brian)
2010 - A Postcard From California (Al)
2010 - Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin (Brian)
2011 - In The Key Of Disney (Brian)

Correct me if I missed any!

I have a hard time picturing people's interest being sustained long enough to do all those albums... I guess we can all talk about it more once this contest is completed.

.

That's pretty cool, I've never seen a chronological list of solo albums. I'd also mention:

1983 - Rock and Roll City (Mike & Dean)
1998 - Salute NASCAR (Mike, Bruce, David)
1996? - Catch a Wave (Mike - official promo only release)
The Rutles (Ricky)


This list is also a reminder of how prolific the boys have been the past 20 years. If you include live albums and David's Marksmen comp, I count 20 albums.

Edit: changed back to Don't Worry Baby

Every vote is tough...

In that case, I recommend excluding the Moon albums and all the collaboration solo albums

I say you should do:

POB
Going Public
Carl Wilson
Looking Back with Love
Youngblood
BW88
TLOS
A Postcard from California
Reimagines Gerswhin

We get an album from each core member and cut down on the potential numerous rounds.
And, in Brian's case, we cover what's considered the best he has to offer. Well, other than BWPS, which I think it would be a bit redundant after having TSS. I dunno, it's up for debate.

I think that you could run 3 or 4 albums at a time and be done in a reasonable amount of time.

I'd say one album per member, then one final survivor between the winners.

Brian - That Lucky Old Sun or BW88
Mike - Looking Back With LuHv
Al - Postcard
Carl - Youngblood
Dennis - POB
Bruce - Goin Public
Blondie/Rickie - The Flame
David - The Moon

The Circle Continues - David - 2012

‍

I think, Pixletwin, that your first idea was the best. Start with the most popular/familiar solo albums and work backwards until not enough people are participating to make it worth while. POB, then BW88 and TLOS, then take your cue from popular demand.

Not bad. Though I'm totally opposed with Woodstock's idea to use the Flame album, which is definitely not a solo album. It's also worth noting that Ricky never made a solo album.

This Whole World

This whole world

This makes the most sense to me...

Still, what about David Marks and Blondie Chaplin. Certainly can't exclude their solo work.

DWB

Are their albums on youtube? I don't think a lot of us who are voting own their solo work, that is the problem.

I guess. And I've yet to check if they are on YouTube

This list is the one I vote for of the ones proposed so far.  Fair enough except for one of the missing Brian albums.  I can't be the only one that loves Imagination, for me as good as Brian Wilson (1988)..  I'd like to play that one.  Don't pick a list that does not include Carl's first album, to me that's as good as Youngblood.

I would also include Imagination as well as GIOMH. He probably just forgot to include them.

Anyhoo I have derailed this thread enough. Apologies.

Thanks for saying that.  I love GIOMH too.  Maybe I am one of the few, but I do.

My two cents would be:

POB
Going Public
Carl Wilson
Looking Back with Love
Youngblood
BW88
Imagination
GIOMH
TLOS
A Postcard from California
Reimagines Gerswhin
In The Key of Disney

We did albums like Stars and Stripes, we may as well do all of these.

I suppose this list isn't too bad, I'm in favour of it (Though I'm not opposed to more additions)

And my condolences for your loss, Feelsflow. May the person rest in peace.

And Happy Birthday Bubbly Waves!!! Hope you have a great one!

Hard for me to judge them as I havent heard hardly any of them!

Thats right, its a vote to kill the cute little baby Harp seals with the gimungous eyes that plead with you, dont club me, dont club me. so save the Dont Worry Baby Seals and
club the living

out of This Whole Wurld

have i made myself clear?  ;D

Til' I'm Deceased  :old

my criteria has come down to which song do I tend to crank up the most when it plays? This Whole World wins every time with that power chord intro. and it's amazing what this song accomplishes in less than two minutes.

just to be clear, I'm voting Don't Worry Baby this round.

SU (TSS)

Where is Cal Girls? I thought this was based on the best song as voted by this board for each album? SD&SN is not there!

It was voted off on the Super Survivor round.

i find it interesting that people base votes on various Parts of a complete work...
I guess the fleeting goose bump moments are of some import.

How Ever the overall emotional impact of a song is what impresses me most.

Nothing grabs me quite like DWB, it absouletly SOARS from beginning to end. yall need to
go back and listen to it again about a dozen times and revote  ;)  :p

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Ah-ooom Bop-diddit.  (16) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

These last rounds have been tough for me, but I have found my votes are easier when I sit down with the song at the piano and bang away at the chords. Whichever one is the funnest or sticks the strongest is typically the one I keep. The most uninteresting gets the boot.

BE BRAVE!  :3d

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally July 5

Don't Worry Baby
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30
Round#7 - This Whole World July 2

Gets really tough from here for me.

I am going to vote out God Only Knows and I'll tell you why:

Every song that is left (aside from GOK) is a pure masterpiece from start to finish. There isn't a moment I don't love. But in God Only Knows (which I also love from the start to finish) there is that staccato bridge in the middle that I like less than the rest of the song and indeed it drags it a fraction below all the other songs in overall quality. I do like how they performed the bridge live (it just jumps right into the humming) without the staccato section better.

Don't Worry Baby

Oh, goodness....

"Surf's Up".

Surf's Up.

Don't Worry Baby

'Till I Die

Surf's Up (TSS)

Don't Worry Baby

DWB

‍

'Til I Die

'Til I Die

Surf's Up (TSS)…

Just to be clear and since I'm new here, is the Surf's Up we're talking about the one with just Brian singing?

Surf's Up (TSS)

Good Vibrations

Maybe it's because I yearn for the ever elusive stereo mix, or maybe it's because the others would sit, if not all in my top 5, definitely top 10 as far as Beach Boys tracks go.  Regardless, while GV remains an obviously brilliant piece of work and one of the few progressive songs of theirs the general public actually knows, I think the others here enthrall me just a little bit more.

Don't Worry Baby

the Surf's Up remix

Good Vibrations

As great as it is, it really shouldn't be here...

Don't Worry Baby

Right. The one from The Smile Sessions box set.

Carl is on there too

Ok thanks.  I'll have to go with Surf's Up then.

it used to really bug me that they "cheated" and left out the staccato part when they performed it live

a great, brief bit of dynamics in an otherwise gorgeous ballad. love the session outtakes too

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Don't worry baby

'Til I Die 


So close

Surf's up

Are you Rivers Cuomo?

DWB

Surf's Up

"Surf's Up" (TSS)

'Till I Die

Don't Worry, Baby.

'Til I Die

Til I Die

I'll cast my one vote here:

Don't Worry Baby

Though I love it. But the other four...

Till I(o)di(n)e

Surf's Up (TSS)

Surf's Up (TSS)

God Only Knows. Please don't let the most obvious one win.

The best deserves to win. And if GOK is the most obvious one, it's probably the best.

I always thought Wouldn't It Be Nice was better than GOK. It tells a more interesting story, and is just a catchier and more exciting song.

… and to my ears it's a much bigger production - Vibes meets CalGirls in the best of both. But then less is often more…!

Totally agree!

Even though it was the first dance song at my wedding, I will sadly vote for..

God only knows

That sounds more like an opinion than a fact. Just saying.

Wouldn't It Be Nice makes me sentimental and makes me want to dance, God Only Knows just makes me feel sentimental...

WIBN has a greater affect on me, that's all. The lyric impacts my reaction to the song.

"Don't Worry Baby"

Respectfully, I can't agree, RRA1. Music and lyrics must work together, and support each other, to make a good song. If "Yesterday" were titled and themed "Scrambled Eggs" (hey, it even works metrically!), with the same music, it would sound like a horrible travesty instead of a masterpiece.

Would "California Girls" work with Surf's Up lyrics (metrically adapted)? No.
Would "Surf's Up" work with California Girls lyrics (metrically adapted)? No.

GOK

Don't Worry Baby

While I think it's fine to use lyrics as a deciding factor between two great songs, as has been the case here, I think RangeRover's point has a lot of validity when it comes to songs of larger discrepancies in quality.  I imagine a song like Wouldn't It Be Nice would still be loved if the music remained the same and the lyrics were replaced by shoddy, self-referential nonsense a la Summer in Paradise.  It might be less perfect, but it doesn't suddenly become dreck.  Meanwhile, brilliant lyrics aren't going to stop Summer of Love from being a distasteful track to almost everybody.

I imagine the vast majority of people would still consider "Scrambled Eggs" an awesome song even if they might view the lyrical choices as a tad ill-fitting.

Nobody's right and nobody's wrong. We like what we like for our own reasons. For me, Wouldn't It Be Nice is about the music and Brian's energetic lead vocal. It's about those great background vocals. The use of the dual accordions is pure genius, as is the powerful drums and tympani. It's a powerful, yet sweet song that bounces about in pure joy. It is my favorite song ever.

I'd say that I actually agree with you that melody is more important for me, subjectively. But I stop short of declaring it as fact. Lyrics do matter to me as well. If Wouldn't it be nice  had lyrics about hatred and genocide, I doubt we would all love it as much as we do.

Surfs down

Don't worry baby

Never thought I'd say that

Don't Worry Babs.

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

Sorry about the delay on the tally. I hope everyone had a good weekend. The voting was VERY close this round but we have a winner (or loser).

Baby, worry. You done been voted off.  (15) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

BE BRAVE!  :3d

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally July 9

God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf's Up (TSS)
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30
Round#7 - This Whole World July 2
Round#8 - Don't Worry Baby July 7

Gets really tough from here for me.

I am going to vote out God Only Knows and I'll tell you why:

Every song that is left (aside from GOK) is a pure masterpiece from start to finish. There isn't a moment I don't love. But in God Only Knows (which I also love from the start to finish) there is that staccato bridge in the middle that I like less than the rest of the song and indeed it drags it a fraction below all the other songs in overall quality. I do like how they performed the bridge live (it just jumps right into the humming) without the staccato section better.

God Only Knows

Surf's Up on a technicality

'Til I Die  :'(

.

Good Vibrations.

Again, great song. But it doesn't deserve to be here. I don't have to explain why.

Til I Die

Surf's Up (TSS)

Surf's Up

I think this is my 7th round voting for

surf's up.

Surf's Up

'Til I Die

SURF'S UP

It's an amazing song, but I like the other songs better. My vote is for GOD ONLY KNOWS.

Surf's Upped and gone, surely…

RIP Don't Worry Baby

Good Vibrations

Nope, can't do it.

Surf's Up

Surf's Up

'Till I Die

Surf's Up

Like wow with DWB gone from the competition my next favorite for Ultimate is Til I Die.
I was really hopn this would end with a underdog coming out on top. oh well

So Good Vibes for the next loser. (yeah rite)  ::)

Good Vibrations.

Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations

Breaks my heart that a frontrunner for "world's greatest melody" was knocked out by something as relatively pedestrian as 'Til I Die :(

'Til I Die

'Til I Die

Good Vibrations...I guess?  :'(

‍

Til I Die.

GV

God Only Knows

really guys this is fun - waded through a jillion tunz to get here and gonna enjoy myself!! lol.

Till I Die

"Good Vibrations"

God only knows

My top tracks are gone... swallowed up, crashed on the rocks, choking on sand.  My leaky boat spinning in the surf with no oar to save me.   But still I'll try, try one more time to gone this:

Surf's Up

I nominate this post for the Oscar.

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

And now we will pit these final 12 tracks against each other in battle to see who deserves the title as the one, the only...

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

No final three vote, where you pick your favorite. We are picking these off one at a time. These babies have to FIGHT to be called ULTIMATE SURVIVOR!!!

A children's song. Their song is love and the children know the way (down to Loser Red)  (13) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

BE BRAVE!  :3d

Vote for the track you find is your LEAST FAVORITE from among the tracks. The track with the most votes will be voted off.

Tally July 11

God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
'Til I Die

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30
Round#7 - This Whole World July 2
Round#8 - Don't Worry Baby July 7
Round#9 - Surf's Up (TSS) July 10

Gets really tough from here for me. Surf's UP was -hands down- my favorite.

I am going to vote out God Only Knows and I'll tell you why:

Every song that is left (aside from GOK) is a pure masterpiece from start to finish. There isn't a moment I don't love. But in God Only Knows (which I also love from the start to finish) there is that staccato bridge in the middle that I like less than the rest of the song and indeed it drags it a fraction below all the other songs in overall quality. I do like how they performed the bridge live (it just jumps right into the humming) without the staccato section better.

'Till I Die

Least favorite: 'til I die

'til I'm dead

'Til I Die

'Til I Die

'Til I Die

'Til I Die

I love all three but... Good vibrations.

Til I Die

.

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God Only Knows

God Only Knows

Til I Die

least favourite: till i die

Least favorite of these three is easy: Til I Die.

Till I Die

Till I Die

Til I die is my fav  :'(

Good Vibrations gets my vote

Nothing can save 'Til I Die at this point. Shame.

Oh well, my vote is for Good Vibrations.

Good Vibrations

Ugh, I guess my vote goes to Til I Die

Good Vibrations.

For no other reason, I guess, that it was the first Beach Boys song I consciously, knowingly listened to. And listened to. And listened to. When I was 12 I put it on my little boxed record player and set it up so it just played and played and played. I've been listening to it for 38 years now, often daily multiple times, and it's just part of my environment to the extent that I don't always consciously hear it any more. God Only Knows and Til I Die came a little later and my heads prick up at something "new".

So very personal subjective reasons and I can't even claim they're valid in this context.

But Vibes has my vote, essentially on over-familiarity grounds.

From a compositional perspective, "Good Vibrations" is the least interesting of the three so it gets my vote.

p.s. "Surf's Up" from the lp "Surf's Up" is my favorite BB song of all time for both music and lyrics with "'Til I Die" right behind it. "God Only Knows" musically is brilliant but IMHO is lyrically clumsy. But when it comes down to it, I would rather hear "Pitter Patter" over anything by Kanye West, Slipknot or Travis Tritt (for instance).

Good Vibrations

Good Vibrations.  I'm actually surprised Surf's Up didn't stick around to the end.  It usually makes the top two in song tournaments around these parts.

Good Vibrations

Maybe if the '71 version had made it through this far but, to me, TSS version lacks the same kazzam… Appreciate that many feel different but perhaps, if '71 SU had been the wild card instead of Vibes, it would also remain in the top three at this stage in the game.

Doubly surprised that 1) "Surf's Up" got eliminated (it was my favorite out of the ultimate survivor list), and that 2) "Till I Die" has made it this far.

So I'm voting off "Till I Die", as beautiful as it is.

TSS/Purple Chick's Surf's Up is what I was first introduced to and it's definitely my favourite incarnation of the song, I would've supported it till the end :'(.

Ah well, it's time for the rigor mortis to set in for 'Til I Die. It's knocked out too many a superior song at this point.

GOK

Me too. I expected that the final top 3 would be 1. God Only Knows, 2. Surf's Up, 3. Good Vibrations.

not voting against TID but it feels weird voting against one song that I may be voting for
after this round.

GOK

Considering all of Brian's talents as a singer, songwriter, arranger & producer, to choose a demo as the best he has ever done just doesn't sit well with me and why I was voting it off from the very beginning. But to each their own. :)

I do love the TSS version of "Surf's Up"...but nowhere near the beauty of the 1971 version.  And a demo Can Not be considered better in my world.  I couldn't believe it when "Surf's Up" didn't win the Surf's Up album round.  I didn't help more than a couple of the songs on our list get here.  I'd have to go back and check if any of them were my #1 choice, except for "Surf's Up" TSS.  These are not my favorite Beach Boys tracks from the respective albums.  "Soul Searchin'" - now, that's a different story.  Just wonderful, but I don't think it was my pick for #1 in that round.  Add "This Whole World" and "Please Let Me Wonder" - then, you have my top three From This List.

I guess there lies the answer: people disagreeing on what the definitive version of the song is.  I think at this point I'm rooting for God Only Knows pretty easily.

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

He we are. At the end of BEACH BOYS ULTIMATE SURVIVOR!!!!

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR

I'm a vote on a fo-rum. Time for me to get voted off. How many votes against me? How many votes against me? (19) (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)

BE BRAVE!  :3d

Vote for the track you find is your ULTIMATE FAVORITE from among the two tracks. The track with the most votes will be the ULTIMATE SURVIVOR!!!

Tally July 13

God Only Knows
Good Vibrations

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30
Round#7 - This Whole World July 2
Round#8 - Don't Worry Baby July 7
Round#9 - Surf's Up (TSS) July 10
Round#10 - 'Til I Die July 11

Good Vibrations.

The song begins in Eb minor. Has a chorus that modulates from Gb Major to Ab Major to Bb Major. It has a bridge that is in F major.

And the dang song ends in Ab.

Show me another #1 hit song that cycles through so much and manages to stay accessible and widely popular.

This song was voted out in round#6 of Survivor Smiley Smile. But the votes against it were overwhelmingly because of how it fit in within context of the album, rather than on it's own strength as a single. It's a unique track in Beach Boys history. Probably the key stone to their story.

Good Vibrations deserves to be the Ultimate Survivor.

Interesting that they both feature Carl on lead vocals.

Unless I change my vote sometime in the future, I'm voting "God Only Knows."

I am happy that both tunes are with Carl as lead vocalist. The best singer singing the best songs. Though both really deserve to win, I am going with Good Vibrations. It was the pinnacle of their 1960's success.

How do you choose between two of the greatest songs ever, wow

Good vibrations

Good Vibrations

God Only Knows.

Good Vibrations

It's very hard, we all know already these are top BBs songs, so I sat down and listened to both songs, to make my final decision.

Here's the thing... Good Vibrations only give me goosebumps, shivers and/or chills in the bridge... that part with "eco", it's a great listening experience... But God Only Knows do that through ALL the song.

And a plus: I supose I prefer short songs. Sometimes Good Gibrations lasts too much.

My favourite vote goes to God Only Knows.

"God Only Knows"

Good Vibrations

God Only Knows

I'll actually be kinda disappointed if GV wins.  Maybe it's just because it's the one song that always wins more casual best BB song lists (where, you know, Surf's Up wouldn't even make the top ten because it wasn't a hit), but I'd like to see it go to something that hasn't reached that level of exposure everywhere.  It's nice to have a place like this where people actually know the band's full discography, and though few well-known BB songs would be more deserving than GV, part of me is rooting for something that the average person who knows little about the Beach Boys couldn't just also hold up and say this is their pinnacle (even if, in this case, they might not be far off).  Good Vibrations will rightfully always be in the discussion for one of their best songs, but it's nice to see those other ones also worthy of such status run away with the title once in a while.

With God Only Knows, I feel it gets more praise from musicians than the most casual listener looking for good-time tunes, so it winning would somehow seem different.  That, and it's the ultimate gorgeous ballad, a style in which The Beach Boys particularly excelled with their harmonies and Brian's production.

Good Vibrations

Good..good...goodbye Good Vibrations. It has that boy/girl thing going on it. What do you mean GOK does too? Damn it, why didn't "Surf's Up" from Surf's Up make the list?

"God Only Knows" is the song that got me hooked on the Beach Boys to begin with and I played it at my wedding. It's my favorite out of the two (despite what I still consider to be very clumsy lyrics). Mr. Asher, why would you open up a love ballad with "I may not always love you but long as there are stars above you"?

 ::)

Just to be clear, since I can't quite understand what's happening this round, I'm voting "Good Vibrations" off and voting "God Only Knows" as the weiner winner. Sorry f*** about that.

Edit: I just noticed that this was my 1000th post. I should retire.

God Only Knows

God Only Knows

Good Vibrations, possibly the best song I've ever heard.

wow. very tough decision.

both songs mean so much to me, and God Only Knows is certainly the sweeter of the two.

but Good Vibrations goes places that no other song has gone before or since. it's a monster production, a musical odyssey, and an anthem.

it's SMiLE encapsulated in 3-and-a-half minutes. it's pop, it's jazz, it's psychedelic. it's avant garde yet totally accessible.

as much as some people want to downplay The Beach Boys and their music, Good Vibrations is perhaps the most monumental song ever recorded. it's Brian Wilson at the very peak of his creative powers, and the fact that he was able to distill 6 weeks worth of sessions into one 3.5 minute masterpiece is just another sign of his genius. the tempo changes, the key changes, the mood changes but it never drags or loses the listener's attention.

sure it's a bit overplayed, but it still has a freshness and vitality and exuberance that is timeless and infectious to this day.

and since This Whole World got voted off, I'm gonna have to go with GOOD VIBRATIONS.

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.

Good Vibrations

I completely agree. It wouldn't make sense if a song that has been voted off twice wins the entire game. The wild card idea should have remained just that.

GOD ONLY KNOWS


I was never a big fan of GV. I love the production and structure, but there is not a lot of lyrical substance. It doesn't touch me.

God Only Knows

God Only Knows

God Only Knows - because Paul McCartney said it was his favourite song  :)

But surely the fact it has come this far in Super Survivor and Ultimate Survivor proves that it deserves to be here? It was recognized to be a special case and the voting since has backed up that notion.

Still, it's kinda cheating and defeats the purpose of these Survivor games.

I didn't know there was a purpose!  :)

Good Vibrations.

Because it changed the world in 1966 and then my world in 1976.












But 1971 Surf's Up beats anything.








Oh, and so does Heroes… and Cabinessence… and Old Man River… and Water Chant… and… and … and

God Only Knows

Easily the best song ever made, by anyone.

Neither songs are in my personal top 20 favorite BB songs, although I love 'em both, but either way, God Only Knows.

God Only Knows

Gv

God Only Knows.  I wasn't paying attention in the last round, sadly, and would like to be voting for 'Til I Die.  But between these two songs, much as I like and admire Good Vibrations, this isn't really a contest for me.  Carl's singing of "I'll make you so sure about it" and the last part of the song are probably my favorite things on the whole Pet Sounds album.

Anyone else think it's strange that Good Vibrations lost its own round but is now in the final?

It lost it's own round TWICE. Didn't win the Smiley Smile round and didn't win the Smile Sessions round either.

Exactly.

Good Vibrations

Though I worry that Brian will be disappointed if he hears that GOK didn't win.

God Only Knows

Good Vibrations

mmmm bop bop

God Only Knows

Man, this was a tough one for me.  Both are such great songs.  I ended up listening to them back to back for probably 30 minutes trying to decide which one to pick.  And on top of that I don't think either them are the best BB songs, so I had trouble just picking a song that I didn't really think was the best.  God Only Knows is such a beautiful song, one I could see being played at my wedding some day, but Good Vibrations is such a dynamic song.  It's almost like it's two separate songs, but they still flow together really well.  It also has that very upbeat early BB vibe that I love.  So Good Vibrations it is for me.

The final tally is tonight folks. Don't forget to vote!

 :3d

Having been one of possible two people who hasn't missed a single round and voted on every one of them, it's kinda sad that things are finishing up. Time flies when you're having fun...

Welcome, welcome one and all to ULTIMATE SURVIVOR.

We have spent months dissecting tracks from albums, figuring out which ones deserve the title of Survivor. We pitted these surviving tracks against each other finding out which 12 tracks deserved the title SUPER Survivor.

He we are. At the end of BEACH BOYS ULTIMATE SURVIVOR!!!!

This was a close one. Good Vibrations was voted off twice on two different albums. Smiley Smile, because it didn't gel with the album. TheSMILESessions because it was reedited into a slightly longer version which differed from the single. Being a wild card was enough to get it to the final round of Ultimate Survivor with 16 votes ( (http://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/images/smilies/survivor.gif)), but ultimately not enough to be called....

ULTIMATE SURVIVOR (http://youtu.be/AOMyS78o5YI)



God Only Knows

Round#1 - Soul Searchin' June 18
Round#2 - Goin' On June 20
Round#3 - From There To Back Again June 23
Round#4 - In My Room June 25
Round#5 - Breakaway June 27
Round#6 - Please Let Me Wonder June 30
Round#7 - This Whole World July 2
Round#8 - Don't Worry Baby July 7
Round#9 - Surf's Up (TSS) July 10
Round#10 - 'Til I Die July 11
Round#11 - Good Vibrations July 14

Thank you for sticking through this game for so long. It was fun and memorable. A new way to discuss our favorite (and least favorite) songs.

Let me know what Survivor rounds you would like to do next. Should we do the ultimate loser or move on to solo albums. Maybe someone has a better idea that we can get behind.

Whatcha'all think?

 :3d

 :3d

I think "Ultimate Loser" might be a bit too predictable most rounds to be interesting (is there any doubt Today!'s loser would be anything other than "Bull Sessions," or that Sunflower's would be anything other than "Tears in the Morning?").  I think solo albums would make for a more interesting place to go from here.

We have already found all the album losers (they are the first ones voted off). It would begin with rounds similar to Super Survivor. Four threads, each representing an era: 1962-1965, 1965-1969, 1969-1979. 1979-2012.

Going with the solo albums sounds more interesting to me. Starting with the most obvious ones, then the obscure ones if there's enough participation.

I'm in favour of that. Though I'd replace the ones voted off first from SDVII, ASL and Today! With the ones that were voted off second. After all, they aren't exactly proper songs.

Ah, that would be more interesting, then.  Still not as interesting as solo albums in my opinion, though.

Aw I missed the final vote - all sudden you guys sped up?

well the best song won and I would have voted for GOW over GV.

I thought about that too. Should be fun! It would be interesting to find out what this board thinks is the absolute worst Beach Boys song ever recorded, and which "losers" aren't really that terrible after all...

                                 :happydance God Only Knows :happydance
(http://s1.dmcdn.net/p_-o.jpg)

Awesome photo/still above! :love

Gosh darn result.

I call "foul" - I have it on good authority that Paul McCartney posts here under several pseudonyms and has cast multiple votes in this last round. Otherwise it's inexplicadicabubble. We woz robbed… ;D

God only knows is the beach boys finest moment . Glad it won

I love these survivors, bring on more!

Putting a new batch together now.  ;D

Nothing you ever say makes any sense. Useless? Good Vibrations got just 5 votes less than God Only Knows - I struggle to think of any other Beach Boys song which could have run it so close?

.

100% bullshit

GOK won on it's on merits, but spare me the rank generalisations.

GV was included because it possessed three unique properties in the game that no other song has:

1) The layperson would have assumed from the very beginning that GV would win.

2) The SMiLE Sessions version wasn't the single. Redux doesn't do well on Survivor. That was the context of it's first loss.

3) The Smiley Smile version stuck out like neon against classical architecture. That was the context of it's second loss.

Presenting GV as a wild card sparked things up and made these last 3 or 4 rounds extra spicey. In other words: It accomplished exactly what was intended.

I still think TSS: Surf's Up should have won though.  :'(

 :P

A demo should never win. Brian Wilson is too good for that to happen.

I thought your favorite was the 71 Surf's Up. Does that not contain a (gasp) Brian Wilson demo vocal?

A demo it may be, but they tried their damndest to have it sound complete on TSS. I doubt what was in place of Brian's demo would have been much more (if anything more at all), and many would agree what's already there is one of his best performances.

Doesn't the 1st half count for something? Besides, it was finished enough to be included on an actual release that wasn't archival.

Actually I was quoting the author of 'Dumb Angel' (neither a perfect nor error-free book, but an entertaining and well-written one) who wrote: 'Holland is by far their most mature effort'. I agreed (and agree) with him so I pinched the quote.

In fairness to Surf's Up, it was also plagued by certain factors that may have prevented it from winning it all; that, of course, being the question as to what the definitive version actually is.  It gets a little complicated when a song is beloved but the recording of it isn't so straightforward.  I love the Smile version of Wonderful, for instance, but the Smiley Smile is the version everybody knew for the longest time.