Karen

[Surfer Joe]

I just tried to listen to what looked like a really good Live365 station ("Beach Boy-like Gems")- too bad it didn't work.  Before cutting out each time it played one of two intros.  One was an age-parady of the current touring band.  The other was the first really clear-sounding and complete recording I've ever heard of "Karen".

I heard muddy versions for years; they usually cut off at the end. Does anybody know anything about this song?  Who wrote it?  When and where was it recorded?  Did the show ever air?  Is there a good, clean version available?

[I. Spaceman]

Yes, the song is available on one of the Tee-Vee Toons theme song albums in a clean version.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000000GOU/002-6538606-5506443?v=glance&n=5174

[I. Spaceman]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057760/

[Surfer Joe]

Thanks, man- interesting stuff. I know this is one of those things I should know more about- may have forgotten over the years.  I'm going to have to track down an episode somehow. 

Featuring the girl who played Marilyn in "Munster Go Home" and Richard Dreyfuss...

The series is about as thoroughly forgotten as the mega-classic "Occasional Wife".

I wonder why this track has been so neglected over the years, except on bootlegs?  "The Monkey's Uncle" gets a lot more attention.

[I. Spaceman]

I wonder why this track has been so neglected over the years, except on bootlegs? 

I totally agree. It's a great, flyin' track.

[Jason]

I love Karen. Great guitar work from Carl. Shame it's only forty-five seconds long.

[Surfer Joe]

So who the f. wrote it?  When was it recorded?  Who plays on the track?  Who produced?

And why wasn't it mentioned by Badman, or practically any other band biographer?  Could it be the missing "air" bit from "The Elements" with different lyrics stuck on?

Would have made a natural bonus track for one of the early twofers.

[Bicyclerider]

There was talk of a TV and movie themed Beach Boys rarities release back in the day - with the Annette tracks, other movie tracks, Karen etc. on it - but it never progressed beyond the talking stage. 

[I. Spaceman]

And why wasn't it mentioned by Badman, or practically any other band biographer? 

I'm pretty sure it is!

[Surfer Joe]

The challenge: what can you find?  It's not listed in Badman's song index, and I think I remember watching for it as I read it.

I was also interested in the dates, etc. for "Monkey's Uncle" but I think he only listed one of the sessions- tracking or vocals- or else didn't tell when they shot their scene.

[I. Spaceman]

Page 67. October 5th. 

[Surfer Joe]

Well, there's broadcast information for the show, and finally composer credits (Bob Mosher???  Wow.)  But where's the session?

[I. Spaceman]

No one knows.
That's the thing.
There's nothing in that book we did not already know or not know.
It's just a handy reference point for old knowledge.
No mysteries solved.
If anyone looks into that Karen thing, I would sure love to know more.
How they were approached, when they did it, why they did it, etc.

[Jason Penick]

There's more info regarding the show in the Timothy White book.


28 episodes is a pretty good run.  Audiences were probably pretty familiar with the theme to "Karen", back in the day.  My guess is that is was simply a pretty shrewd marketing move by Murry.