Best and worst Beach Boys cover song?

[GoogaMooga]

With so many talented songwriters in the band, you wouldn't think it was necessary for them to cover other artists' songs. But I think they have been very smart and judicious over the years, in choosing, and mostly improving, on songs by other artists, so much that they have made them their own, the highest accolade for a cover.

Sloop John B is the masterpiece, one of the best things on Pet Sounds. Don't understand why some people find it ill fitting on there.

What's your favorite and least favorite by the Beach Boys? I don't have a least favorite, okay, maybe Walking in the Sand or hot Fun in the Summertime, but other than those, I can't really point my finger at any others.

[rn57]

Best: Battle Hymn of the Republic. Worst: Never Learn Not To Love.

[OneEar/OneEye]

I'm So Young is my favorite of the many excellent covers they recorded.    

Louie Louie or Hot Fun In The Summer Time would be two of least favorites.

[drbeachboy]

Best: Battle Hymn of the Republic. Worst: Never Learn Not To Love.

As to your worst, how is this a cover?

[drbeachboy]

Best: Do You Wanna Dance. I love Denny's vocal and Brian's version of the Wall of Sound.

Worst: Under The Boardwalk. Though, I do like Carl's part.

[Aegir]

Best: Battle Hymn of the Republic. Worst: Never Learn Not To Love.

As to your worst, how is this a cover?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRObQ3AojC0&feature=related

[drbeachboy]

Best: Battle Hymn of the Republic. Worst: Never Learn Not To Love.

As to your worst, how is this a cover?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRObQ3AojC0&feature=related

I am quite aware of Manson's version. The Beach Boys released it first, therefore not a cover.

[drbeachboy]

That is like saying the Monkees' "I'm A Believer" is a cover, because Neil Diamond decided to record a version too?

[Magic Transistor Radio]

NLNTL is not a cover, because I believe Dennis wrote the music. And part of the lyrics.

Best: I Can Hear Music, School Days

Worst: Come Go With Me, Babarann

[Nicko1234]

Best: Sloop John B

Worst: In the Still of the Night and Chapel of Love

[Ron]

Best: Sloop John B, followed by "I Can Hear Music".  Whoa!

Worst... hell I don't know.  I don't focus on negativity. If it sucked I forgot about it.



Edit: I may have to go with Barbara Ann for worst.  I had mentally blocked that song, until some WEIRDO above mentioned it!!!!

[Sound of Free]

Best: I'm So Young (great call OneEar/OneEye)

Worst: Blueberry Hill

[Aegir]

Best: Battle Hymn of the Republic. Worst: Never Learn Not To Love.

As to your worst, how is this a cover?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRObQ3AojC0&feature=related

I am quite aware of Manson's version. The Beach Boys released it first, therefore not a cover.

That's not how covers work. Is Manfred Mann's recording of Bob Dylan's "Mighty Quinn" not a cover then, because Mann's version came out first two years earlier than the first released Dylan version?

IS DYLAN'S VERSION A COVER?

[Ron]

It's all kind of slippery, if you think about it.  You could make a pretty damn good argument that anything they didn't write is a cover, even if the songwriter never recorded it.  


I think traditionally, 'cover' means "Hey, you know that song.... that everybody's familiar with?  Here's our version!"

Dylan of course would be excused since he wrote it, he can't cover something he wrote.

[drbeachboy]

Yes, and Dennis' name is the composer on NLNTL. He basically bought the song, finished it and released it first. I have never seen Manson's name on that particular title. So, again, not a cover.

[TimeToGetAlone]

Best: Sloop John B
Worst: Rock and Roll Music

[rn57]

Well, now that the response to my wisecrack has moved all the way over to discussing "I'm A Believer" and "Mighty Quinn" - about the last two places I thought it would end up from NLNTL or Cease To Exist or Resist or whatever - I might as well give my serious choices:

Best: Sloop John B or Cottonfields (first version)

Worst: Peggy Sue or Moon Dawg.

[Ron]

I've never heard Moon Dawg.... I accidentally heard Peggy Sue earlier (it's on one of the greatest hits albums... believe it or not).  I hadn't heard it in years.  I thought it was really good.  I'm a big Buddy Holly fan, and I think they did him justice. 

[Newguy562]

Best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieE43uxur0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXGGlUaoOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAfcnS4VfDQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrbzTBosjA4


Worst:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEpziUuHr6U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4wtBE0AGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyMeoLwMrA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3gLb_V20hQ

[Newguy562]

Best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieE43uxur0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXGGlUaoOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAfcnS4VfDQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrbzTBosjA4


Worst:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEpziUuHr6U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4wtBE0AGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyMeoLwMrA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3gLb_V20hQ

I also wanted to name WDFFIL in "worst" list but again, the case is its melody. Not to my musical taste. As for your "best" - I like all the mentioned songs, especially Do You Wanna Dance.

well i don't hate WDFFIL it's just after i heard the original then heard this i had to put it in the worst..they shouldnt even perform that song when they have way better covers they could've done
i'm suprised so many bb fans hate "never learn not to love" :/

[Newguy562]

Really? I thought many, including me, like NLNTL. That's my favorite song by Dennis.

wow well you have good taste because it's a magnificent song ..didn't charles manson confront dennis after they did that song?

[Newguy562]

Really? I thought many, including me, like NLNTL. That's my favorite song by Dennis.

wow well you have good taste because it's a magnificent song ..didn't charles manson confront dennis after they did that song?

I heard that Charles was angry when he saw he wasn't credited as one of the co-writers of the song. And I've read that Dennis was attacked by Manson though I'm not sure if it's because of NLNTL or other reason.

i know charles was a lunatic and manipulator but i think dennis could kick his ass if it was a fist fight lol

[Rocky Raccoon]

Manson: "Dennis Wilson was killed by my shadow because he took my music and changed the words from my soul."

What a loser.

[Newguy562]

Manson: "Dennis Wilson was killed by my shadow because he took my music and changed the words from my soul."

What a loser.

wtf he really said that?

[Paulos]

Best:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uieE43uxur0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmXGGlUaoOw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAfcnS4VfDQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrbzTBosjA4


Worst:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEpziUuHr6U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4wtBE0AGw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyMeoLwMrA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3gLb_V20hQ

I also wanted to name WDFFIL in "worst" list but again, the case is its melody. Not to my musical taste. As for your "best" - I like all the mentioned songs, especially Do You Wanna Dance.

well i don't hate WDFFIL it's just after i heard the original then heard this i had to put it in the worst..they shouldnt even perform that song when they have way better covers they could've done
i'm suprised so many bb fans hate "never learn not to love" :/

I don't think that many Beach Boys fans hate NLNTL, it's more that some people feel uncomfortable with it because of its origins. Speaking for myself, I love it, strongest non-Smile song on 20/20.

As for best and worst covers - Best: Do You Wanna Dance?, Cottonfields (45 version)
                                          Worst: Remember (Walkin' In The Sand), Surfin' (SIP version)