A few years ago I made a playlist of what a 1995/6 Beach Boys album *could* have looked like.  Not necessarily rooted in reality, but some of my favorite tracks from that era out of what was possible and to have the main players represented musically and vocally.  I think it works pretty well, accounting for the differences of when they were actually recorded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDS6whCNEU

I like the new Marcella mix a lot. I A/B'ed it with previous releases, and it felt like hearing the Pet Sounds Sessions stereo mixes again. It's a new take on songs we've heard so often through the years. That's a good thing. I still use the Pet Sounds Sessions stereo mixes as my go-to choices to hear the album for my own enjoyment, they're still that good to my ears. The new Marcella has more punch, more definition, and I like the overall sonic texture and sheen better than the original release and subsequent remasters. It's good to get a new take like this, and in this case, I think it improves on the original and is a tighter blend overall. Good stuff.

Having just started the new season of Stranger Things, I was a little surprised there wasn't more of a push behind "California Dreamin" to tie in with the show. The media was reporting how Kate Bush got a #1 download status from her song's inclusion on the show, the same episode no less, yet the BB's track barely got mentioned. I would have thought there would be a similar spike in sales/streams/interest to be reported among fans of the show seeking out the BB's track too, but I guess that didn't happen, or maybe the promotional push went behind Kate Bush on this one and she got the attention.

It's too bad there wasn't a push behind it.  I didn't start keeping track right away because I didn't think there would be a noticeable bump, but California Dreamin' has had over 4 million streams on Spotify in the past 10 days.  In another week I'll be running my yearly Spotify data on the Beach Boys and looking at last year's 2.7 million all time streams, the vast majority of its increase has come since the Stranger Things release.  It currently has 8.9 million streams.  As of now it's their second most popular song on Spotify.   

I was also a little disappointed to see the subtitles label it as by the Mamas and Papas, but that could be a legal thing.  Definitely at least a minor missed opportunity to not do more with it.   

Alright, so it appears that the owner of PSF is not willing to reopen the forum, so we're now migrating to a new forum called Endless Harmony.  It's going to be a continuation of PSF and I've been made a mod.  I'm making this post here because PSF was abruptly shut down and a lot of the members there are not going to know about PSF or why it's not being reopened.  Here is the link for those of you interested: http://endlessharmony.boards.net/

Good question.

I wish they weren’t playing anything from the c50 live album .

I don't mind it since they've been avoiding the tracks with really bad autotune.  Plus, it brings back good memories for me (not just BBs, but 2012 in general was a good year). 

Ok, here is another batch of songs.  I'd listen more, but at some point I have to get to bed!

5:30 ET
Please Let Me Wonder
Stoked
Sloop John B
Barbara Ann (Live at Roxy)
Good Timin'
Isn't It Time
Don't Worry Baby
Matchpoint of Our Love
Let Him Run Wild (Imagination)
Girl Don't Tell Me
Be True To Your School (single)
I'd Love Once Just To See You
Girls On The Beach
Island Fever
Cotton Fields
When I Grow Up
Let's Go Away For Awhile
Add Some Music To Your Day
Pacific Ocean Blues
We'll Run Away
Catch A Wave
Chug a lug
Santa Ana Winds

6:30
Long Promised Road
Shut Down (F&F)
California Girls
The Surfer Moon
In the Parkin' Lot
'Til I Die (IJWMFTT)
California Energy Blues (F&F)
Sail On, Sailor
Surf Jam
Getcha Back
Wonderful
Darlin'
Forever
The Provate Life of Bill and Sue
California Dreamin'
You're Welcome
I'm Bugged At My Old Man
You're So Good To Me
Roller Skating Child
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Spring Vacation
The Warmth of the Sun
Mother May I
Dance Dance Dance

7:30
Surfer Girl (Live at the Roxy)
Surf's Up
H.E.L.P Is On the Way
409
Maybe I Don't Know
Marcella (Soundstage)
Kiss Me Baby
Do It Again
Farmer's Daughter
Goin' On
The Shift
It's Ok
I Get Around
Deirdre
Disney Girls
The Right Time (Soundstage)
Belles of Paris
Do You Wanna Dance
What A Young Girl Is Made of
Spirit of America
Student Demonstration Time

8:30
Surfin' (67)
I Can Hear Music
Cool, Cool Water
Good To My Baby
California Saga (Postcards)
Lullaby (OCA)Hey Little Tomboy
Don't Worry Baby
Heroes and Villains (single GV)
Tears in the Morning
Bluebirds Over the Mountain (rarities)
Love Is a Woman
Don't Worry Baby
Girl Don't Tell Me
With Me Tonight
Never Learn Not To Love
All Summer Long
Soul Searchin'

9:30
Be True To Your School (single)
Breakaway (F&F)
Feel Flows
Don't Go Near the Water
When I Grow Up
Busy Doin' Nothin
Surfin Safari (Ariola)
You Still Believe In Me
Catch A Wave
Amusement Parks USA
Hawaii
-
Kokomo (live 1989 FH&B)
California Girls
Wipe Out
'Til I Die
Drivin' (Postcards)
That Same Song
Pom Pom Play Girl
Add Some Music To Your Day

10:30
The Night Was So Young
Darlin' (F&F)
In My Room
Caroline No
This Car of Mine
Help You Rhonda MiC)
Don't Fight the Sea (Postcards)
Surfin' USA
I'm Waiting for the Day
The Little Girl I Once Knew (GV)
Wake The World
Surfin'
Wild Honey
You Need A Mess of Help To Stand Alone (GV)
California Dreamin' (Postcards)
It's Just A Matter of Time
Surfer Girl
Friends
From There to Back Again
God Only Knows
In My Car
Dance Dance Dance (F&F)
Little Deuce Coupe

11:30
Wendy (MiC BBC)
Had To Phone Ya
Barbara Ann (Party! Unplugged)
Kiss Me Baby
Beaches In Mind
Shut Down
Sail On, Sailor
Salt Lake City
Do It Again
Hushabye
Ballad of Betsy
Barbie
Sunshine (Imagination)
California Saga (Brother Years)
Hawthorne Boulevard (Live Sunshine)
Be True to Your School
Funky Pretty
You're So Good To Me
The Rocking Surfer
Wouldn't It Be Nice
The Warmth of The Sun (IJWMFTT)
It's Ok
Chapel of Love

12:30
409
Goin' On
I Went to Sleep
Marcella
Don’t Worry Baby
Fallin' In Love (Summer Love Songs)
Cotton Fields (GV)
Fun Fun Fun
Lana
Sloop John B
The Shift
All Summer Long
You've Touched Me (GIOMH)
Surf's Up (Smile)
Do You Wanna Dance
Our Sweet Love
Heroes and Villains (single GV)
Beach Boys Stomp (L&F)
That's Why God Made the Radio (C50 Live)
When I Grow Up
Hawaii
Surfer's Rule
Breakaway  (demo) EH
Girl It's Alright Now (Bruce & Terry)

1:30
Kokomo
Transcendental Meditation
She Knows Me Too Well
Carl's Big Chance
Darlin'
Forever
Make It Good
Spirit of America
Crack At Your Love
California Girls
Girls On The Beach
My Love Lives On
Catch A Wave
Time To Get Alone

They just did two in a row from 1965.  First Barbara Ann, then Kiss Me Baby... from UTL (again).  That makes me wonder if the covers are being flagged as originals. 

11:30AM ET
Surfin' Safari
Wild Honey (live DC 67) Live Sunshine
Heroes and Villains single GV
I Was Made To love Her
God Only Knows
Rock N Roll to the Rescue (made in USA)
California Dreamin' (Postcards)
Kiss Me Baby
Do You Wanna Dance
Be With Me
Add Some Music to Your Day
Our Car Club
Til I Die (alternate EH)
Help Me Rhonda (SD/SN)
Lady Lynda
Hawaii
Our Special Love
It's Getting' Late
Sail On, Sailor
Be Still
Wendy
Mona

12:30
Don't Worry Baby (live 65 Chicago)
Sloop John B
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Kona Coast
Cotton Fields (rarities)
Cocktails
I Get Around
Little Pad
Johnny B Goode (live 65 Chicago)
Finders Keepers
Wild Honey
Marcella
This Whole World (IJWMFTT)
Beach Boys Medley (rarities)
Here She Comes
Good Vibrations (single GV)
Little Honda
San Miguel (GV)

1:30
Dance Dance Dance
Strange World
Breakaway (20/20)
Keep An Eye On Summer
Darlin'
Endless Harmony Medley (EH)
That's Why God Made The Radio
Heads You Win Tails I Lose
You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
Boogie Woodie
California Saga (Postcards)
Please Let Me Wonder
409
Pacific Coast Highway
Good Timin'
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Bluebirds Over the Mountain (rarities)
California Girls
Let's Put Our Hearts Together
Let Him Run Wild
Here Comes Summer (B&T)
No-Go Showboat
I Can Hear Music
Games Two Can Play (GV)
She Knows Me To Well

2:30
Back Home (15 BO)
When I Grow Up (MiC BBC)
Be True To Your School (single)
Surfin'
Aren't You Glad
It's Ok
Farewell My Friend
Rock and Roll Music (Brother Years)
Here Today
Constant Companion
Drive In
In My Room
Getcha Back
All Alone (EH)
Surf's Up (fall 67)
Full Sail
Little Deuce Coupe (S&S)
Sloop John B (S&S)
Disney Girls
Do You Wanna Dance
Slow Summer Dancin'
You're So Good To Me

3:30
Winds of Change
Sail On, Sailor
Do You Wanna Dance (F&F)
Spirit of America
Passing By
Help Me Rhonda (SD/SN)
Good Time
Warmth of the Sun (S&S)
Heroes and Villains (GV)
Fun Fun Fun (Royal)
Pitter Patter
Cool Cool Water
Surfer Girl
Can't Wait to Long (Sunshine Tomorrow 2)
Do It Again
Long Tall Texan (S&S)
Goin' On
Rendezvous (Going Public)
How She Boogalooed It
I Get Around
Male Ego

4:30
The Little Girl I Once Knew (GV)
Summer of Love
God Only Knows (Brian PS live)
409
Wild Honey
Some of Your Love
Kokomo (Spanish)
Make Love Not War
In My Room
It's About Time
Caroline No
A Thing Or Two
Good Vibrations (single GV)
All Summer Long
Summer Means New Love
Surfin' Safari (alternate)
Here Comes The Night
Ten Little Indians
Surfin' USA
That's Why God Made The Radio
Fun Fun Fun
I'll Bet He's Nice


It looks like today was S&S day!

I'm definitely seeing a lot of stuff from the "Surfin' Safari" and "Surfer Girl" album. They have been playing quite a bit not only the obvious early era stuff like "Surfer Girl" (which I've heard easily over a dozen times), but also stuff like "The Surfer Moon."

They've played "Kokomo" from the "Still Cruisin'" album as well.

I could be totally wrong since there's no scientific way to analyze this stuff without the full playlists, but it seems like they're continually sort of unveiling additional cuts, or at least moving some heavy rotation songs to lighter rotation and vice versa. After "Kiss Me Baby" from UTL a million times, I saw "Crescent Moon" today or yesterday. I was seeing a weirdly large amount of stuff from "Rarities" up until a few days ago (including numerous awful medleys), but not so much now.

I think it may be that solo cover versions of BB songs are being bumped ahead of "original" songs. Of Brian's solo tracks, I've seen a lot of BB covers (IJWMFTT soundtrack, 2014 Soundstage, Live at the Roxy tracks, PS Live, and now a bit more 2004 Smile perhaps) and less original stuff. But it may just be all about proportion. More than half of the only available Mike Love solo tracks (since they're apparently only pulling from UTL) are BB covers. Brian, by virtue of having so many albums, has a number of BB covers.

As another aside, by way of looking at what does an doesn't have artwork, I'm trying to narrow what albums they're pulling from. When they pull "California Dreamin'" from "Made in USA", it has cover art. "Best of the Brother Years" also has cover art. So I've also seen them play the song with no cover art. What comps are left that have that song *and* don't have cover art? I'm guessing they're pulling from the "Warmth of the Sun" CD perhaps.

Yes, I did forget to mention Kokomo, but I don't really count that.  I'd also agree that I've been hearing a lot of solo covers of BB songs, rather than the original. 

Is it possible you heard the 1982 version of California Dreamin'?  I could have sworn I heard it once, but I wasn't really paying attention.  It would also be interesting to know which album version they're pulling songs from.  Breakaway was on and the album shown was 20/20, so it must have been from the twofer version.

Has anyone seen them play anything *other* than "Disney Girls" from Bruce's "Going Public" album? Weird that they're tracking "Bruce & Terry" stuff, but the only thing they seem to be pulling from "Going Public" is the one song already represented on several BB albums.

I heard Rendezvous a few days ago.  I was also surprised to heat PT Cruiser the other day, but I know Billy said they also played the 2006 version of Spirit of Rock n Roll.

Yeah, I would guess "PT Cruiser" is pulled from the "Songs from Here & Back" Hallmark CD as "Spirit..." was.

I haven't seen them play any of the solo, weird CD singles like the "PT Cruiser" single with five different mixes, or Brian's "Walking Down the Path of Life", etc., stuff that was only sold online essentially via mail order.

The general rule seems to be they're playing all of the stuff that has been commercially released in-store on CD. The only exception I've seen so far is "Problem Child", which was released commercially back in 1990, but only on cassette (and possibly vinyl?), but on CD only as a promotional release.

It'll be interesting to see if they snag any other weird CD single tracks or other single variations. Anybody down for the "Percadella" mix of "Rock and Roll to the Rescue?"  

Didn't someone say they played the Spanish version of "Kokomo?" I think that comes from a CD single of some sort.

I had never heard the "Percadella" mix, and after listening for the first time, I think it'll be the last time too.  

While I haven't been able to listen 24/7, my impression is that they've been playing a ton of material from 61-63, relative to how popular it is anyway.  As has been mentioned before, I've heard the UTL version of Kiss Me Baby at least 10 times.  On the other hand, I still haven't heard anything from Still Cruisin', though I've read that Somewhere Near Japan, In My Car, and Wipeout have been played at least once.  I'm going to be pretty free this weekend, so I'll try to keep track of what songs are played to see if any trends emerge.

Edit:  Just after I hit post, Rock and Roll to the Rescue came on!  Thankfully it wasn't the Percadella mix.

Has anyone seen them play anything *other* than "Disney Girls" from Bruce's "Going Public" album? Weird that they're tracking "Bruce & Terry" stuff, but the only thing they seem to be pulling from "Going Public" is the one song already represented on several BB albums.

I heard Rendezvous a few days ago.  I was also surprised to heat PT Cruiser the other day, but I know Billy said they also played the 2006 version of Spirit of Rock n Roll.

Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter

Im assuming more July and August dates will be added. 

Perhaps, Mike is lessening his workload a bit in 2018?  In honestly, thats probably overdue especially when you consider the amount of shows their peers, such as McCartney, Ringo, The Stones, The Who, Roger Waters do these days. 

I don't think they did any shows from December 10th through February 10th.  I'd have to check Bellagio, but I don't think they've taken off two consecutive months for quite some time. 

The other day I threw together a couple of graphs that look at how each touring group fared since C50.  Unless I missed it, neither group was listed for 2013.  It's also worth noting that The Beach Boys grossed $17,000,000 worldwide in 2015, enough to crack the top 100.  

And yet another interesting thread descends into "Let's all sh*t on Mike love because...why the hell not?". All this Mike hatred is turning into a sick obsession.

Already five posts today about Mike.  There's a lot of irony in saying good on Brian and Al for moving on.    

I never thought it made much sense to not include SC and SiP in the catalogue.  The songs are easy enough to search on youtube and there are plenty of used copies for sale.  They're literally costing themselves money by not having these albums available for purchase or streaming.  People who hate them are still going to hate them, but people who want to listen to one or all of the songs are forced to buy the used copies or use youtube to listen or download.  It's not like they would have to put together a big advertising campaign for the release, they could just show up like the most recent copyright release did.   

Some people don't like his vocal here, but I think it's great crossover of his old voice and 15 Big Ones voice.  The album would have been much improved if Sea Cruise and In The Back of My Mind were swapped in for two of the lesser songs.

A new member there seems to have picked up on that

I don't think it's a new member based on the posts I've seen.  I would have given AGD a timeout, but I'm not a mod.  It seems the people they chose to be mods are never around anyway. 

I was referring to the new female poster, not the dude.

So was I.

Whether it be SweetDudeJim or someone else from here or elsewhere. Too bad certain people, including the leadership there, can’t handle a simple question. Like two very honest questions from Bob and you’d think the whole house of cards was about to tumble down.

Both of "Bob's" questions were answered.  He was banned because he's a previously banned member who keeps trying to troll that forum.  

Yeah. “Answered”. Doe does as much rewriting of history as the guy he lunches with. It’ll fool new fans that join there, hope the leadership is proud of what they’ve done.

And yeah, it probably is SweetDudeJim, but I doubt there was actual evidence to prove it - which just goes to show that if you challenge Andrew you’ll just be labeled “SweetDudeJim” and banned swiftly. Gotta keep protecting Andrew, like he was here for years. ...edit; to add to this last sentence, I totally get why what happened here for years happened, but the guys who now run PS forum saw exactly what happened and are allowing it to happen AGAIN...which is unreal to me.

Well, nothing AGD said there was rewriting history.  Regardless of who Bob is, it most definitely was someone from here trying to troll the board. 

Whether it be SweetDudeJim or someone else from here or elsewhere. Too bad certain people, including the leadership there, can’t handle a simple question. Like two very honest questions from Bob and you’d think the whole house of cards was about to tumble down.

Both of "Bob's" questions were answered.  He was banned because he's a previously banned member who keeps trying to troll that forum. 

A new member there seems to have picked up on that

I don't think it's a new member based on the posts I've seen.  I would have given AGD a timeout, but I'm not a mod.  It seems the people they chose to be mods are never around anyway. 

I was debating whether or not to do this, but I'm going to copy over my review from PSF.  After digesting it some more, my opinions have changed slightly on certain songs, but not more than 0.5 points.  Feel free to Unleash the Wrath!


Ok, I'm finally giving this a thorough listen. I'll give my thoughts as I listen to each track.

1. All The Love In Paris: Clearly influenced by Don't Worry Baby. Obviously that helps the song and the lyrics are pretty good. The autotune is minimal. I really love the verses, especially the little build up at the end of them. I can see this one making it to my main playlist I use in the car.
4.5/5

2. Getcha Back: We all know this one. The lyric changes are interesting, but I wouldn't say they're better or worse than the original. Real drums were used here unlike the original. I think I like this backing track better than the original, but I'd probably include the saxophone that's in the background of the original. The autotune is more noticeable, but not distracting. Overall, it's basically an interesting alternate version, but it doesn't improve upon the original
3/5

3. Daybreak Over The Ocean: The intro is great! It's based on some doo-wop song, but I can't recall which one at the moment. The bulk of the song is familiar, but it's closer to his First Love version than TWGMTR. His voice seems slightly less nasally than the TWGMTR version. Again, the autotune is not distracting here.
3.5/5

4. I Don't Want To Know: I'm really enjoying this one! I'm not sure how I feel about the woman doing those vocals. I could probably do without them. Mike's voice sounds really nice here.
4.5/5

5. Too Cruel: This song is so frustrating! It would by far be my favorite song on the album, but Mike's vocals are so distracting! I'm not even sure if it's the autotune as it sounds like his voice is sped up. Everything else is great. Maybe I should record my own vocal??
2.5/5

6. Crescent Moon: This is a really nice song. The lyrics are great. I imagine this is the type of song a lot of people wish Mike would write more of. He is in fine vocal form as well.
5/5

7. Cool Head, Warm Heart: It's probably his most well known solo recording and most consider it his best as well. I've always like the intro, but it doesn't really fit the song. Christian's part is really cool and he sounds so much like Carl.
4.5/5

8. Pisces Brothers: I've never been super in to this song. I still maintain that it's more enjoyable in concert, but the female backing vocals are really good.
2.5/5

9. Unleash The Love: There's a pretty good song lurking under here, but I don't care for the instruments used in certain spots where all of it sudden the song goes takes a stripped down approach. The intro is a good example of what I'm talking about. Mike's vocal is decent and the background vocals are very enjoyable.
3/5

10. Ram Raj: Wow, I wasn't expecting this! I'm almost at a loss for words. That Ram Raj chant is an earworm that's not going to away for a while. The guitar solos are so cool as are the vocals toward the end of the song. What is with the curry comment at the end of the song?? That was so weird haha. Well done, Mike.
5/5

11. 10,000 Years Ago: I wish there were more guitar driven Beach Boys songs in the world. The outro goes on a bit too long, but otherwise this is one of those songs I'll never get tired of.
4.5/5


12. Only One Earth: I rarely like spoken bits is songs and I don't like this one either. My favorite part is Ambha's vocal, I could listen to that over and over. The rest of the song is decent, but northing spectacular.
3/5

13. Make Love Not War: The intro starts off great, but I don't care for the crowd chants that appear here and throughout the song. Most of the lyrics are pretty good. Mike's voice is pretty cool aside from the "Make love, not war. Give peace, a chance" part.
3.5/5

Average: ~3.75/5 or 7.5/10

Now onto the remakes. I consider this a bonus disk more than anything.

California Girls: The autotune kills any redeemable quality the song may have.
1.5/5

2. Do It Again: The best thing I can say is that the backing track is really good. This song could actually be very enjoyable if not for the terrible use of autotune and stupid Do It chant and whoops.
1/5

3. Help Me, Rhonda: Again, the autotune makes the song unlistenable. I will say that I like how Bruce's vocal is more prominent in the chorus.
1.5/5

4. I Get Around: Ugh, who did this to Mike's voice?? It's so bad lol. It sounds like sandpaper is being rubbed on the microphone as he sings.
1/5

5. Warmth of The Sun: Ahh, this is so refreshing after the last few songs. Ambha does a great job on this one. I'm surprised she hasn't started a recording career, considering the connections Mike has. Maybe she doesn't have a real interest in it.
5/5

6. Brian's Back: There's a touch of autotune, but it's not nearly as bad as the first four songs. Of course Carl's voice is great. Overall this is a decent song, but if I want to listen to it, I'll just listen to the version on MiC.
3.5/5

7. Kiss Me Baby: If you ever wondered what a wall of Mikes sound like, you now have your answer. It's actually kind of amusing, but I wouldn't say it's particularly bad. It actually sounds like someone else's voice might be slipped in there, though. Another great vocal from Ambha. I'll be generous and give it a
4/5

8. Darlin': I was vaguely familiar with AJR before hearing this. They had a minor hit last year or the year before. I really like his voice, but checking out some of their songs, I'm not really a fan of their work. He sounds a lot like Nate Reuss from fun. (he sang Saturday Night on NPP). Overall, this is pretty enjoyable.
4/5

9. Wild Honey: This really rocks! As others have mentioned this mix is lot like how it was played in the early '70s (and now). John's vocal is amazing as always. It sort of reminds me of Blondie's. Too bad Mike didn't do his "sweeter" call back in the build up.
5/5

10. Wouldn't It Be Nice: I and others have said that Jeff really excels in this vocal range. The autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal, but nothing too distracting.
3/5

11. Good Vibrations: Again, Jeff turns in a great vocal here. Also again, the autotune is a bit heavy handed on Mike's vocal in the chorus.
3/5

12. Fun Fun Fun: Just when you were starting to forget about the awful autotune in the first few songs, it returns one final time! I will say that it's not *quite* as bad here, but it's still pretty blatant. Mike's prominent bass vocal is pretty cool though.
2/5

Average: ~2.8/5 or 5.6/10

When I first gave this a quick listen, I gave it a 7/10 and I'm going to stick with that after listening to it thoroughly. I don't give as much weight to the remakes because they're just that; remakes. Like I've said before, the record company probably demanded they be included. However, based on the reviews I've read from people who hate anything Mike does and the honest negative reviews, the remakes are a negative distraction from the originals. I'm curious to know why Big Sur wasn't included. So many people love that version of the song. I assume ESQ will do an interview with Mike regarding the album. Hopefully they ask him about that!

[Tempest]

"Still Cruisin'" the song was almost a shameless rip-off of "The Mountains High" by Dick & DeeDee, with Mike's nostalgia lyrics on full display. Who was the audience for this? Baby Boomers or kids watching MTV?

Let's not use this one as a diss on Mike. We've got a lot of material on the man, but songs being "shameless rip-offs" is actually something that The Beach Boys do pretty well ("Surfin' U.S.A." with "Sweet Little Sixteen", "At My Window" with "Raspberries, Strawberries", Brian's recent [at the time] "Little Children" with "Mountain of Love") and if anything "Still Cruisin'" is just another Beach Boys adaption. Plus, we can actually be pretty sure to say that Mr. Paul Simon deserves some credit (not literal legal credit, er.....maybe?) for the lyrics of "Still Cruisin'". I mean, "still crazy after all of these years..." and "still cruisin' after all of these years"? Pretty obvious where Dr. Love got the idea.

And secondly, I'm not sure I know many people who know "The Mountain's High" anyway.

Most who grew up with the Beach Boys listening to radio in the 60's knows The Mountain's High. It's the same demographic Mike's nostalgia lyrics in Still Cruisin were targeting, that was who he was singing to.

You didn't respond to my point. Are the other songs "shameless rip-offs" too? Or just "Still Cruisin'"? I don't think any of them should be classified that way, regardless of my opinions on the person who developed the song ("Little Children" and "Surfin' U.S.A." in Brian's case, "At My Window" in Al's case and "Still Cruisin'" in Mike's case).

I didn't respond? Hmm. Now I will.

Apart from Surfin USA which you'll recall the band got sued for and lost the rights to that song to Chuck Berry's publisher from then in the 60's until eternity because it was found to be a rip-off, which of the songs you mentioned had the position which "Still Cruisin'" had as an anticipated hit single with high hopes as the follow up to the number 1 smash hit Kokomo? None of them. Little Children? At My Window? Apples and oranges. And if knowing or not knowing the Dick & DeeDee record is an issue, how many less people have any idea what the tunes you referenced sound like? None of them are known outside the hardcore Beach Boys fanbase. Little Children was a throwaway album cut clocking in at under 2 minutes. None were follow up singles with high hopes being put on them after a #1 single and the band's return after 2 decades to releasing new music on thier original home label.

Did you listen to The Mountain's High? Hear the similarities with Still Cruisin? Still Cruisin was the single Mike delivered to follow up a number 1 hit, and it was a rip of an old 60's hit. The hook is the same, the melody, groove, etc.

Maybe Paul Simon should have tried to sue Mike on those lyrics too. That would have been fun.

Maybe Mike was betting that the target audience who was so into Kokomo and Tom Cruise and Stamos playing conga drums to bikini girls wouldn't know where he lifted the ideas from either, in this case an early 60's hit. I'm actually, seriously surprised Mike (and Terry) wasn't sued for that blatant of a lift. But Mike banks on ignorance among audiences pretty regularly, so it's no surprise if he thought no one would notice.

I think Capitol expected something that at least sounded original, which Kokomo did as a polishing-up of an existing John Phillips song. Instead they got something Mike nicked from an old record. Maybe that's why it stiffed.

My point, guitarfool, was that nothing gets in the way of how much  you despise Mike. If you've paid attention to my posting, I'm not the hugest fan of the guy either. But I also think it's rich that one of the moderators on this board goes out of the way to give the man sh*t. As I've said before, Mike gives us so much material to shake our head at that we don't need to invent more reasons to dislike him.

And while we are it, who are you to call any of Brian's work "throwaway"?

And I know the Dick and Deedee song. I know it sounds similar. Whatever. Just as "whatever" on "At My Window", "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Little Children." The songs are either good or they aren't.

Surfin USA was inexperienced songwriting, Still Cruisin was calculated theft.

Then what was "Little Children"? Or a healthy chunk of Bob Dylan's entire discography? I think hatred of Mike gets in the way of things on here.

Say what?

The f***'s that mean?

I was asking, if "Still Cruisin'" amounts to calculated theft, what do we make of Brian's "Little Children" or a whole lot of Bob Dylan's work, from "Song to Woody" to "Blowin' in the Wind" to Tempest? They all owe major debts to other works, but they still stand on their own.

I think the Pet Sounds Forum is a massive fraudulent piece of garbage where people get away with insinuating some bad sh*t about Brian and his wife. But on the other side I do wish we had moderators on this board who didn't think that they are playing the role Brian Wilson's PR flack, and needlessly throwing insults at Mike Love when Mike is doing nearly the same exact thing that others artists I love (Brian, Bob Dylan, Hendrix, The Specials) have done.

Whoa...I know you are having it out with GF, but are you seriously taking a swipe at me too? Guess you've missed my comments on how I think Looking Back with Love is way better than Imagination  (which it is) , for starters. I call things how I see them, and I'm blunt as hell. Just because I'm a mod doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. Please look at my post history and show me an example of a needless sh*t at Mike. Now if you're referring to my shots at Andrew G Dumbass,  well, that is based on something personal (him slandering me is just part of it) and has nothing to do with Mike besides him being on the payroll.

But yeah, please show me an example.

Thanks in advance

O sh*t. I did not mean a thing towards you Billy. You are nearly the exact example of what a moderator should be. You are fair, you have your own opinions but don't try to start sh*t, and you explain why you make the decisions you do. Sorry for writing moderators when I only meant one.

And I'm sorry for messing with the thread, but I just think something needs to be done here. I mean, you guys have seen my posts, I'm not a Mike Love apologist. For the most part, I think the man is an egotistical, ungrateful, mean-spirited asshole. But at the same time, I don't think we should have a so-called moderator on this board writing half page screeds against him because of innocuous things like swiping a melody from  the '50s duo Drang and the Ding Dong's. It has scared of people who would offer some interesting thoughts on different subjects. Now granted, I think those people should have thicker skin, but still...to have a moderator constantly going on about "correcting the record" on things where nobody has brought up falsehoods, it just strikes me as overkill, and probably has newbie's saying "the f*** is going on here? What is this guy talking about? I just like The Beach Boys and wanted to know about the songs and the band members, not secret plots to unseat Andrew G. Doe as the President of the Mike Love Fan Club."

I know that this post will go unheeded, but I feel like it needed to be said. I love posting on here, and I think posters like Billy C, CenturyDeprived, SMiLE Brian, HeyJude and a few others keep this place interesting. But I think instead of trying to "out asshole" some of the pricks on the other board, we could try not to get so crazy.

I now await a post from GF about "how I totally don't get it, man."

I know you really want to get back into the Pet Sounds forum, but I don't think another post about how you dislike GF is going to do it. 

So long

Now look what you've done, guys.

Although I find GF's approach to discussions like this obnoxious, I'll take obnoxious nitpicking over "I'm going to take my ball and go home" any day.

Agree fully. I think GF is well-intentioned, if a little overboard sometimes. But I'll take being a stickler for getting things right over somebody who thinks they deserve to have us bow down to him because he has access to the band (and likely now, only to Mike since he called Brian brain damaged).

Actually, David speaks with Brian several times a year. David had just interviewed Brian a few days before we did that Wild Honey track-by-track.

And it's worth noting that David apologized to Melinda and Brian not long after he wrote that article.  Brian has moved on, so hopefully sweetdudejim can as well.