Does anyone in the world besides Mike Love like Santa's Goin' To Kokomo?

[rogerlancelot]

I wish there was a message board for people who like Mike's solo material (that has intelligent posters).

How much solo material has Mike legitimately issued? There is only Looking Back With Love as far as I know. I suppose you could consider the Celebration and Adrian Baker material plus unreleased projects. There is of course the Mike Love Fan Club message board (http://pub9.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=760910562&frmid=44) but there is hardly any activity on there. Maybe you could create a new message board?

But to answer the question as asked in the name of this thread: yes there are people besides Mike Love who like "Santa's Goin' To Kokomo". And I apologize for being so harsh the other night about it.

[Jim V.]

I wish there was a message board for people who like Mike's solo material (that has intelligent posters).

Here's the problem with Mike. It's not that he is proud of "Kokomo". It's not that he prefers to do the surf 'n cars material.  It's the fact that he does the lame-ass things that one would only joke about. Like if somebody was gonna make a joke about Mike, they'd say something like "is he gonna make a 'Kokomo' sequel or a 'Kokomo' Christmas song?" Like it's seriously a joke somebody would come up with.  It's pathetic that the guy is still that obsessed with "Kokomo" still to this day. You don't see Brian going around bragging about any of the number of awesome things he has done. I love a lot of the work Mike has done, but he makes it hard to stick up for him sometimes.

[SMiLE Brian]

Agreed, he acts like he wrote the whole song as his masterpiece that finally outdid Brian's work.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Here's the problem with Mike. It's not that he is proud of "Kokomo". It's not that he prefers to do the surf 'n cars material.  It's the fact that he does the lame-ass things that one would only joke about. Like if somebody was gonna make a joke about Mike, they'd say something like "is he gonna make a 'Kokomo' sequel or a 'Kokomo' Christmas song?" Like it's seriously a joke somebody would come up with.  It's pathetic that the guy is still that obsessed with "Kokomo" still to this day. You don't see Brian going around bragging about any of the number of awesome things he has done. I love a lot of the work Mike has done, but he makes it hard to stick up for him sometimes.

Yes, Mike is more attention seeking and Brian is more humble, no argument there. But, as far as Mike being obsessed with stuff and bragging and making sequels - and Brian NOT - well, you don't have to dig too deeply to find that they say similar things.

- Mike brags about "Kokomo" being No. 1 song, Brian refers to "Good Vibrations" as a masterpiece.

- Mike repeats his Paul McCartney/India/Back In The USSR/California Girls story, Brian constantly reminds us that "God Only Knows" is Paul McCartney's favorite song.

- Mike informs us that multiple generations love the Beach Boys' singing about the simple joys of living, Brian informs us that Pet Sounds has a lot of love in it.

- Mike wrote the lyrics to "Fun, Fun, Fun" in the back seat of a car or taxi or something so he says, Brian wrote "God Only Knows" in ten minutes so he says.

- Mike said that The Beach Boys had the greatest harmonies, Brian said that his band were better singers than the Beach Boys.

- Mike likes to recycle themes from years ago, Brian likes to cover himself and several other people from years ago.

Maybe it's the way Mike says things, or on the other hand, maybe people are more sympathetic to Brian, or feel sorry for him.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Wow, now i know the Mike defenders generally have a point re the unfair amount of stick Mike recieves, but you're all really stretching credibility trying to justify this song, which is staggeringly, breath-takingly appalling. Just shocking. Really, it is not good, it is very, very bad indeed. Give Mike praise where it is due - and the man is due a lot of praise - but just endlessly coming up with reasons to defend his every single action - regardless of whether they merit defending or not - does nothing for his cause.

Preserving the legacy is important, and despite what some say Mike does do a lot to preserve the legacy - this song however takes the legacy and wipes it's dirty arse with it.

[Cabinessenceking]

Santa to Kokomo is evidence of how f***ed up Mike Love's idea of commercial success is. It is the utter abomination of music and I would question the sanity of anyone who would be bold enought to question that. I can think of no other song more embarrassing to a musical legacy than that song. It's so poor it would not serve a TV show for toddlers any justice. Thank God it has evaded the public radar. Mike Love, if you ever read this: Go f*** yourself.

[MBE]

I'm surprised anybody likes Kokomo.  

Not a Mike basher BTW, just don't like his creative mentality sometimes. Other times he's great.

[Cabinessenceking]

I'm surprised anybody likes Kokomo.  

Not a Mike basher BTW, just don't like his creative mentality sometimes. Othertimes he's great.

Agree, as a live performer and most times as a front man he's excellent. His deep connection to the band automatically endears him to me. Otherwise he's utterly unlikeable.