The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hi there everyone.

After being her for a week or so, I'm gathering my balls to introduce myself and make a few comments.

I'm a new fan, having discovered Brian and the boys about 18 months ago, but in a deeply profound way - not just as a simple fan.   (I get it, I feel it.)

Here are a few musings from my point of view.


1)  Why does Don't Worry Baby sound so freaking good with earphones on?

2)  Surf's Up can provoke some pretty dark stuff sometimes, and I say that from a relatively happy head.  Anyone else have that trouble?

3)  Does every true BB fan hate Barbara Ann, and three quarters hate Help Me Rhonda?

4) How come I could remember long verses of lyrics from Pet Sounds, after hearing some songs only one time?

5)  Why (oh why) did TBB release the Christmas Album?

6)  Does anyone else get all danged-up and emotional hearing Brian sing?


Thank you to all that contribute to the absorbing Mike Love Bad/Photo thread.  Lotta fodder in there to sift through.

 :)

Hi, bb, and welcome!

Got a moment so I'll respond to a couple of your musings:

2)  I first heard Surf's Up during a dark period in my life and I could relate to its own darkness (I'm sure the cover helps). That said, it i0s, and will remain, my favourite BB album.

3)  I love "Barbara Ann" (the 45, that is). Both versions of "Help Me R(h)onda" have their charms for me.

As for 6), I think every true BB fan gets choked up at times by Brian's voice, his present voice included.

Hi Bonnie,

I'm a relatively new BB convert.  I was a pretty casual fan until seeing them in 2012.  Here's my thoughts.  

1)  Why does Don't Worry Baby sound so freaking good with earphones on?

-I've never tried it to be honest.  But I might just do so.  

2)  Surf's Up can provoke some pretty dark stuff sometimes, and I say that from a relatively happy head.  Anyone else have that trouble?

-Not really, but I think the song, especially the coda, is achingly beautiful.  It apparently provokes some dark feelings with Brian, so you're not alone.

3)  Does every true BB fan hate Barbara Ann, and three quarters hate Help Me Rhonda?

-I don't.  I think the song gets so much hate because it's always an encore, or near it, at any BB/BW show.  And it's usually listed at the top of BB Best Song Lists, usually at the expense of stuff like All I Wanna Do, Surf's Up, I Just Wasn't Made for These Times, Kiss Me Baby.  

I don't know how anyone can hate Help Me Rhonda.  It might suffer a bit from over exposure (see also Fun Fun Fun, Surfin USA), but it's still a great track. 

4) How come I could remember long verses of lyrics from Pet Sounds, after hearing some songs only one time?

-Great songs, great production, and clear vocals.  

5)  Why (oh why) did TBB release the Christmas Album?

-Might have something to do with the fact that Brian's favorite album of all time is Spector's Christmas album.  TBB Xmas is one of my favorite holiday albums of all time.  I think of it as the first step The Beach Boys took away from being a surf/car band.  

Brian put out a decent Christmas album in 2005 also. 

6)  Does anyone else get all danged-up and emotional hearing Brian sing?

-Yes!!!!

Bonnie, I've been a casual fan all my life, but only a fanatic since about 2012.  Let me take a crack at some of these.



--I find that this particular song sounds great over lo-fi loud speakers at stores (Wal-Mart, the Ikea parking lot, etc.).  In fact, oddly, that's probably my favorite way to hear it.  


--I thought that way about most of their early 70's catalog, even before I knew Brian's history.  I still don't care for much of their material post Wild Honey, but Surf's Up is one of my favorite BB songs (probably in some part because it is anachronistic on that album)


--I'm partial to both.  I will say that my impressions, having followed this forum religiously since 2012, is that most posters here prefer the later, darker material.  The surf/car tracks garner a lot of scorn.  Only on this forum can you find multitudes of posters that prefer stuff like "Love You" and Carl's solo albums over Pet Sounds and its progenitors.  


--Could have something to do with the lack of filler material and flawless production.  I personally think Pet Sounds/Good Vibrations -- not Smile-- was Brian's musical destination.  It was the culmination of a lifetime of music in his head.  It was his masterpiece.  Some would strongly argue that Pet Sounds was only a lead-in to Brian's true apex, Smile.  I'm as obsessed with Smile as the next fan, in the grand scheme of Brian's musical evolution, Smile is the fried egg added to an already perfect burger.  Pet Sounds is THE album.


--The Christmas Album is my 3rd favorite BB album.  I especially love the pairing of traditional Christmas songs with BB vocals and harmonies in their absolute prime.


--Always.  So much that I want every person in the world to hear it.

Hi Bonnie!


Does some fans acually hate HMR?  :-\


Always, especially when he's singing "smart girls", I get very emotional.

Welcome.  As for Barbara Ann, I do not care for it but certainly do not hate it. Live, it does have an energy. Concerning Rhonda, it along with a two other classics (California Girls and Surfin' USA) suffered from over exposure on my playlist as noted by another poster above. Oddly it only happened with these three songs. I could listen to the other classics forever.  To combat this, I completely removed the three offenders from my playlists for an extended period of time.  I came back to them about 3 years ago (during C50), and again appreciate what great (GREAT) songs they are. Sometimes a break can be a good thing.

Thanks for the replies, thanks john k for dignifying my first subject with a reply.  I hope I didn't offend anyone.  (I like HMR, and sometimes Barbara Ann, that second version, when they're all fooling around.)

I found this, which is probably common knowledge around here.

http://www.setlist.fm/stats/the-beach-boys-3d6c17b.html

KDS, hi there!  I never knew you were a newish mega fan as well.  :)

Bonne, Smart Girls can indeed have an eye watering effect.

Southbay.  Words of wisdom.  I do think there is something a little grating about Bar-bar-bar, bar-bar bar-ann.  Sorry Al.

Bonnie,

Yep, June 15, 2012, was when I officially become a convert.  Before then, I was content with my copy of Sounds of Summer and Warmth of the Sun. 

Just curious, are you not a fan of the Christmas Album? 

While setlists.fm is far from a perfect source, it is interesting to see all of that setlist data collated. One weird thing I wouldn’t have guessed: All the way up at #25 on the list of most performed songs is “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?”, and that’s based entirely on performances from 1999 and later.

Probably had something to do with the fact that many of the older “setlist” listings are blank. Probably also explains the higher placement of stuff like “Duke of Earl”, “Goin’ to the Beach”, “Pisces Brothers”, etc. 

Nope.  Not a fan of Christmas either.  Maybe that's why...   >:D


I don't know, it's too sweet for me.  Mike's voice really grates me when he gets all whimsical.  

Ah, that explains it.  Well, then I won't recommend Brian's All I Really Want for Christmas album then.  :) 

Not having Mike on it would probably help.  :)

Don't get me wrong, no Mike, No BB's.  I'm not a Mike hater.  I merely dislike the guy from time to time.

Apparently if he points at you while in a concert you have a Road to Damascus moment and are transformed, instead of finding him sporadically repellent, you only find him occasionally loathsome. Best case scenario.

(http://cdn4.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/article30388454.ece/9e82e/ALTERNATES/h342/Mike%20Love.JPG)

Well if you ever want to hear Brian sing Little Saint Nick, check it out.  

I will do that right now...

Ontor, it sounds as though you have been touched...

Enjoy that, and the further discoveries of this crazy and wonderful BB/BW world.  

My haunted expression gives it away, doesn't it? He did point at me once at the Irvine show in 2012 and I tried to resist, I tried to remember the lessons of Al Jardine in how to fight back against Mike's pointing.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/620/21630952898_bb9901fe31_z.jpg)

I came out of it alive... BUT AT WHAT COST!

https://youtu.be/DmAOsd883rI


Okay, this is pretty good.  Thanks for the intro.  8)

It's much too late for you Ontor, you have been touched.

Hi Bonnie.  Nice to see you sitting under THIS apple tree too.  Here battles are not limited to 'the bands'. ;)

KDS has stepped up to make you feel at home.  I think I'll join him.

And now for your questions...

1)  Why does Don't Worry Baby sound so freaking good with earphones on?

It sounds good on almost anything...even a 'b' side.

2)  Surf's Up can provoke some pretty dark stuff sometimes, and I say that from a relatively happy head.  Anyone else have that trouble?

I never latched onto it quite the way Leonard Berstein did.

3)  Does every true BB fan hate Barbara Ann, and three quarters hate Help Me Rhonda?

Hate is an overstatement perhaps.  It just gets more time in the limelight than other/better songs which Brian actually wrote.  It's time and light wasted on last minute filler rather than art.  Help Me Rhonda, I think, is WAY better loved.  ALL 3 versions.

4) How come I could remember long verses of lyrics from Pet Sounds, after hearing some songs only one time?

Only YOU can answer that one.

5)  Why (oh why) did TBB release the Christmas Album?

The record company abused Brian.  This was a result.  [So was Party/Barbara Ann]  At least it gave Brian some futher experience with recording something other than rock and roll instruments and musicians.   That worked out in the long run...Pet Sounds comes to mind.

6)  Does anyone else get all danged-up and emotional hearing Brian sing? 

Yep...Right from day one 'til now.

It's why Bruce Johnston couldn't believe that I knew ALL of the words and nuances to Farmer's Daughter.  From Surfin USA [both the song and the lp] on...I've been a Brian fan.  [Beach Boys too of course.]  Truth be told...I thought several of Carl's leads were sung by Brian way back when.  So I guess Carl worked on me the same way.  Brian discovered Carl's worth, value and abilities long before I figured it out.  From Girl Don't Tell Me to God Only Knows?  God knew.  I didn't.  A quantum LEAP.

Hi there Lee,

Thanks for making me fell welcome here.  Nothing like the Battle, but here might have to be my secondary BB home.

Ang Jones once answered the question as to why the lyrics to IJWMFTT (and Brian's voice) came through later that night - won't go into it.  Boy oh boy I still remember it so well. it was louder than my usual 'thoughts'.  Freaked me right out.

Great to see you here.  :)

nice one Ontor! I hope it hits the bigtime ;)

hi Bonnie! thanks for posting. let's see...

1) because it's a truly inspired song by the one and only Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys at the top of their game?

2) I think a lot of SMiLE and a lot of Brian's material in general can conjure darker images. consider the source, I suppose.

3) I don't hate Barbara Ann and yet I'd be ok never hearing it again. I think it's overrated and overplayed, and shouldn't be more famous than actual BBs originals. as for Help Me Rhonda, it's an absolute classic.

4) Pet Sounds came from somewhere deep in Brian's soul and resonates with something deep in your own soul. Barbara Ann it ain't!

5) BBs Christmas Album is a classic and you have to consider the times. It was a common project for many artists and Brian put a beautiful harmonic spin on many holiday standards as well as writing a few new ones that are still played to this day. that's not easy to do. and yes, Brian still calls the Phil Spector Christmas Album the greatest record ever made so there you go. similar to Don't Worry Baby, he was inspired by something Spector did and created something that actually surpassed it. in my opinion anyway.

6) but of course. the man had a voice beyond compare and knew how to use it. and that is truly an understatement.


and now a question for you...
what was it that made you discover Brian's music in such a deep, profound way? at what point did you "get it"? always fun to hear how others' got so into this music.

for me, I was always a pretty big fan but unaware of the depth and sophistication of the catalog. but when I heard Don't Talk one night in the dark, laying in bed with my significant other, on really good speakers... that is a moment of musical nirvana I'll never forget. Cabinessence was a similarly mind-blowing experience in a totally different way. lots of other discoveries along the way. welcome to the fold!

No problem.  I'm glad you liked it. 

Okay boss, I'll try to explain it.

Sunday afternoon, I'm bored and playing music from 1964 on youtube, just because I'm wondering what 1964 sounded like.  Skeeter Davis finishes "End of the World" with an impatient band hustling her along, and then "Don't Worry Baby" comes on, the Dick Clark clip.  Brian's in the middle and he opens his mouth and all the angels fall from heaven.  No actually my mouth drops open and I am spellbound.  Not only that, they close-up on the big guy, he smiles, I'm gone.

I had no idea he was Brian Wilson, I didn't know he WAS The Beach Boys.  I knew diddly squat about them and their music, although I have semi joked for years that Sloop John B will be my funeral song (don't ask, really). 

The next morning I wait until the house is empty and start my journey of discovery.  With two minutes of googling, I discover Pet Sounds, start playing it, just to hear a few bars, and it just all comes together for the first time in my head.  Woah.  I can hear the music all day, and then all this weird synchronicity stuff starts happening, and when I go to bed that night I can hear Brian's voice, singing, and boy is he loud!

It was like unlocking a door - or maybe several.

Now you think I'm mad?  Nothing like that has ever happened to me before, I'm boringly normal otherwise.

 Lots of good things have come out of this, every single day since that day, actually. 

Considering yourself lucky Bonnie.

The first image I ever saw of The Beach Boys was when they appeared on Full House. 

Maybe that's why I resisted getting into their music for such a long time.   :-D

That's a great story and great post. Just made my day.

So cool. Thanks for posting

Thanks, it's nice to have you all here.

Only sometimes Bonnie, only sometimes  ::)
And never forget to always check your speeling spilling spelling  :lol

Thanks Bob.

Agreed. That first period of infatuation (for want of a better word) is truly magical and like nothing else. For me it was in 2002 after seeing Brian (on TV) at the "Party at the Palace" and getting his "autobiography" for my birthday. After splashing out on numerous BB 2fers I'd go to bed with one BB tune in my head and wake up "hearing" another. I even moved the alarm clock out of the way so that its ticking wouldn't interfere with Denny's (or Hal's) drums. Wonderful times. :-)     

Thanks john.  Good to hear I'm not the only one who hears voices round here...   :)

When you've been to maybe 30 or 40 BBs/BW concerts a sense of Groundhog Day sets in. For example (please watch this all the way through):

http://youtu.be/sFukyIIM1XI

Lovely anecdote, and a nice overall vibe to this thread (makes a change). Welcome, Bella!

G'day, Ms. or Mrs. bella! 1st off - congrats, you're on the best BBs forum, before or after. Off to the questions. As other posters, I won't say anything definitive, just my 50c.

1)  Why does Don't Worry Baby sound so freaking good with earphones on? - Listen to the Sounds of Summer comp. It, as well as the rest, sounds best there.

2)  Surf's Up can provoke some pretty dark stuff sometimes, and I say that from a relatively happy head.  Anyone else have that trouble? - I don't. Never thought it's dark. It is serious stuff - that's how I hear it.
3)  Does every true BB fan hate Barbara Ann, and three quarters hate Help Me Rhonda? - I am very true in regards BBs fandom but I don't hate either. The 1st is fun, the 2nd is utmost classic.

4) How come I could remember long verses of lyrics from Pet Sounds, after hearing some songs only one time? - Because words go well with the music. They're catchy.

5)  Why (oh why) did TBB release the Christmas Album? - Because every act did it. It was required - call it trend, maybe. You said you don't like Christmas music, I think that's an issue or else you wouldn't ask this question, would you? :wink I for one absolutely love it. I only wish they did all originals. Well, except We 3 Kings & Frosty the Snowman.

6)  Does anyone else get all danged-up and emotional hearing Brian sing? - It's good you asked about Brian. Usually, you'd find Carl described having voice of an angel. I disagree. Ofc, it's beautiful but I'm with Neil Young here who said that Brian had both innocence & maturity in his voice (small paraphrase).

2)  Surf's Up can provoke some pretty dark stuff sometimes, and I say that from a relatively happy head.  Anyone else have that trouble?

Not me. I'm part of the minority that is relatively untouched emotionally by Surf's Up. It's GOK that gets me emotionally on a level second to no other recording. Danged up!


3)  Does every true BB fan hate Barbara Ann, and three quarters hate Help Me Rhonda?

I love both of them. They always make me happy.


4) How come I could remember long verses of lyrics from Pet Sounds, after hearing some songs only one time?

Because you listened closely and related to it?


5)  Why (oh why) did TBB release the Christmas Album?

Because I love that album? :wink (Ok, unlikely reason.)

1) I will have to try listening to DWB with head phones on. I know I am in a tiny minority, but DWB is way down the list for me. I don't hate it, but it doesn't stick out to me musically either.

2) SU is incredible. I love watching the Bernstein special. Someone in the Smile doc mentioned that the song predicts this spectacular era of creativity was not going to last. Or something of that sort.

3)I dislike the context inwhich Babarann was recorded more than the song itself. Sort of a rush project to please the company. The Party album is a cool throw away idea, but the fact this one song became so popular, and to casual fans can over shadow a lot of their great songs before and after annoys me. Help Me Rhonda the single has a great production, but like Don't Worry Baby, is way down the list for me.

4) I don't know. Maybe you have a good memory ;)

5) Because they were feeling festive.....in August when the songs were recorded.

6) Depends on the song. Some songs (especially in the 80s) his voice makes me cringe. But many of them yes. Especially Caroline, No for me.

Gosh, a wee flurry of replies!  That's great!  Here's some things I have learnt already from your feedback. And to Paul and Bud, thanks, I like to think I put some good vibrations out there.  :)

1) Barbara Ann and Help Me Rhonda maybe aren't so hated after all.  Thanks John for the Minion example.  I must say, it picked up again at 2.28 and then at 3.48 when the little one middle left did his thing.  He's so cute I'd take him home, but I'd probably eventually mistake him for a pineapple tic tac and eat him.  

2) Some people remain unmoved by that curious Surf's Up song.

3) The Christmas album is a bit of a polariser.   :P

4) Nobody is alarmed in the slightest that I could hear Brian in my head like that.  Phew, no psych required...

5) Danged up is normal around here.

6) Lotta good people around.

I think every great band has a song like Barbara Ann.  A song that only really hints at what the band is all about but, much to the dismay of the loyal fans, remains one of the group's most popular. 

One of the best examples I can think of like this is Van Halen's Jump.  Catchy?  Sure.  Decent song?  Sure.  One the Van Halen's best.  Absolutely not even close.  But, if you see VH in concert, that song will typically get a HUGE response. 

Hey Bonnie,

Welcome to the board!  It's always wonderful to read about a person's first experience hearing The Beach Boys.  I'll have to admit that what I experienced when I first heard them was pretty much as awe-inspiring as your own.  I like to tell people that The Beatles made me want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play.  I never had chord books or anything, just a good ear.  But when I speak of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, that's when I say I really learned about music and what it can do to a person's soul.  It was only after I discovered Pet Sounds in my Dad's vinyl collection and playing it for the first time that I suddenly realized that I could hear all those harmony parts, break them down into their separate voices.  Oddly enough, I had never thought much about it when listening to other music.  I guess I've always heard music playing in my head but Brian Wilson actually got me thinking that I should sit at a piano or guitar and actually work out those melodies and harmonies I was hearing.  It's what continues to inspire me to write, write, write.  Thank you again for sharing your story with us and I truly hope you will find many interesting tidbits and maybe even a revelation or two as you continue to explore this message board!