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Author Topic: Creating the ultimate Beach Boys mix-tape (playlist)  (Read 4827 times)
sea of tunes
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« on: May 28, 2015, 12:49:01 PM »

So recently my 12-year old son has begun showing an interest in the Beach Boys. Probably because of my cyclical obsession with them. He mentioned the other day that he had listened to some clips of "Sounds of Summer" on iTunes and really liked it. He wanted me to 'get him some songs' and it occurred to me that this would be a fine time to make a proper 'playlist' for him.

Back in my youth (I'm 39) I would have made the person a mix-tape and proudly sequenced the music either chronologically or in some purposeful track list. Obviously, times have changed quite a bit since the days of cassettes. But I still want to stick with the principle of a 60 or 90 minute mix-tape, in this case it will just be a playlist I dump into his iTunes from mine. I might work up some nice artwork too (shrug).

In creating such a 'playlist' I wanted to hit what I consider to be the high points, particularly with songs with a heavy influence of Brian Wilson. I also want to capture the evolution of the music from the first major national success ("Surfin' USA") to Brian's withdrawal from most band activity ("Til I Die"). I don't want to go too deep into the 1970s, I probably won't include anything from LOVE YOU, no matter how dear it is to me. I want to showcase the biggest commercial and creative successes. The latter of course is much more subjective. So feel free to tweak this list in any way. Just curious what kind suggestions I might get.

Surfin’ USA
Surfer Girl
Catch a Wave
In My Room
The Warmth of the Sun
Fun, Fun, Fun
Don’t Worry Baby
I Get Around
All Summer Long
When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me, Baby
California Girls
The Little Girl I Once Knew
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Heroes and Villains
Wonderful
Wind Chimes
Surf’s Up (Piano Demo)
Darlin’
Wild Honey
Meant for You
Friends
Do It Again
Time to Get Alone
Break Away
Add Some Music to Your Day
This Whole World
Til I Die
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« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2015, 12:57:15 PM »

That's a pretty good playlist based on the criteria you mentioned. 

If you want a good commercial track with a Brian influence, I would include the single/Summer Days Summer Nights version of Help Me Rhonda.

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sea of tunes
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« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2015, 12:59:53 PM »

That's a pretty good playlist based on the criteria you mentioned. 

If you want a good commercial track with a Brian influence, I would include the single/Summer Days Summer Nights version of Help Me Rhonda.



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« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2015, 04:13:21 PM »

My only suggestion might be a 2nd mix tape/playlist to cover the rest of their career to date...even if you just say, "After you finish this, I have another one for you"...and maybe put in some solo Brian...
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« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2015, 04:28:11 PM »

I actually don't think you should change much, if anything about that playlist. It looks pretty much perfect for an introduction. Maybe add a few mid-60's classics like I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, Let Him Run Wild, Dance Dance Dance  or some (slightly) later songs like Sail On Sailor or California Saga.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2015, 04:30:46 PM by SamMcK » Logged
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« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2015, 05:25:57 PM »

That's an excellent mix there. Sounds like the sort of criteria I would like to impose in your situation too. Personally, I might sacrifice 2 early songs (Catch a Wave, Kiss Me baby??) and make sure Rhonda, Sail on Sailor and That Same Song got a look-on. Absolutely nothing wrong with the list as it is though, a really broad yet focused collection….
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« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2015, 05:37:17 PM »

I'd get rid of Kiss Me, Baby.  Obviously I don't know your son, but I think that would be meaningless for a 12 year old who is becoming interested in The Beach Boys.  I'd also strongly recommend including something from TWGMTR.  He is quite a bit younger than me (I'm 19), but it might resonate with him more if you put on a song that was made in his lifetime.  That album certainly does for me for that reason.  I'd put on the title track or From There to Back Again.   
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« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2015, 06:04:24 PM »

I'm not sure if I should say this at the risk of getting punched but maybe Surfs Up might be a bit too out there if he's just discovering the boys? When I was 12 that song would have went way over my head.
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« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2015, 06:16:52 PM »

See the winners of the Beach Boys Survivor threads. That is a great playlist.
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« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2015, 06:19:37 PM »

See the winners of the Beach Boys Survivor threads. That is a great playlist.

What happened to the solo survivor threads?
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« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2015, 06:22:43 PM »

Suggestions?

Add:

1. Little Deuce Coupe
2. Be True To Your School
3. Dance, Dance, Dance
4. Help Me, Rhonda
5. Barbara Ann
6. Caroline, No
7. Forever
8. Disney Girls
9. Marcella
10. Sail On Sailor
11. Good Timin'
12. Getcha Back
13. Kokomo

Subtract *:

1. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
2. The Little Girl I Once Knew
3. Heroes And Villains
4. Wonderful
5. Wind Chimes
6. Surf's Up
7. Wild Honey
8. Meant For You
9. Friends
10. Time To Get Alone
11. Breakaway
12. Add Some Music To Your Day

* All subtractions would be great for Disc 2 police


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« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2015, 07:24:36 PM »

That's a fantastic playlist. I got next to nothing to add. In the Back of My Mind? The a cappella Can't Wait Too Long snippet, maybe?
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« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2015, 07:42:00 PM »

I'm not sure if I should say this at the risk of getting punched but maybe Surfs Up might be a bit too out there if he's just discovering the boys? When I was 12 that song would have went way over my head.

I'd have to disagree with this.  I'm a music teacher and included Surf's Up in our 6th grade chorus concert.  The kids really got into it and it really broadened their perceptions of what The Beach Boys are all about. 
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sea of tunes
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« Reply #13 on: May 28, 2015, 10:52:23 PM »

Thanks guys.  I settled on the following...

Surfin’ USA
Surfer Girl
In My Room
Fun, Fun, Fun
Don’t Worry Baby
The Warmth of the Sun
I Get Around
When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me, Baby
California Girls
Help Me, Rhonda
The Little Girl I Once Knew
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Surf’s Up (Piano Demo)
Heroes and Villains
Wild Honey
Darlin’
Friends
Busy Doin' Nothin'
Do It Again
Time to Get Alone
Break Away
Add Some Music to Your Day
This Whole World
Til I Die

I used a variety of sources, including the DCC gold discs, AP hybrid-SACD discs, Past Masters Japan discs, GOOD VIBRATIONS Box Set and MADE IN CALIFORNIA Box Set and the old MADE IN USA disc.  The playlist came out to 79 minutes, just shy of 80 and able to fit on a CDR.  For tracks prior to 1968 I used pretty much all original mono mixes.  I'm kind of a purist in that regard, although I do like a number of the stereo mixes (original, that is).

It might seem odd to include some of the ballads ("Kiss Me, Baby") but our son is already interested in girls and has a 'girl - friend' whatever that means at twelve.  Not too long ago we were in my car and I was playing PET SOUNDS and he really liked it and remembered me playing it when he was much younger and said "you used to play this a lot when I was little".  Truth be told, I always have ENDLESS SUMMER, SPIRIT OF AMERICA, PET SOUNDS, SUNFLOWER or something going in my car.  Amongst sports talk and oldies radio.  But, I digress.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2015, 10:58:18 PM by JCM » Logged

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« Reply #14 on: May 29, 2015, 06:41:58 AM »

I've been using the following CD-R (now iTunes playlist) to give to people who are just starting out with our boys. It is very similar to their setlists circa 1994-1996, and has gotten a great response from everyone I've given it to. It may be too "Sounds of Summer" or focused too much on the hits (the most rare song is Sail On Sailor), but it works fantastic and has a great flow. One of my "go to" playlists for cruising around in the car.

California Girls
Do It Again
Catch a Wave
Hawaii
Little Honda
Surfer Girl
Darlin'
Come Go With Me
Do You Wanna Dance
Dance Dance Dance
Rock and Roll Music
In My Room
Be True to Your School
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around
Don't Worry Baby
California Dreamin
Sail On Sailor
Sloop John B
Wouldn't It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
Kokomo
All Summer Long
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Fun Fun Fun
Surfin Safari
Surf City (Jan & Dean, BW's first #1 song)
Surfin USA

If you want to dive a little bit deeper, I suggest a playlist based on the RAH C50 date. 61 songs, some great deep cuts, but nothing too "out there" for most.  The current M&B UK tour setlists are phenomenal as well, I need to make a playlist based off that this weekend!
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« Reply #15 on: May 30, 2015, 09:21:19 AM »

Considering this is a list for a 12 year old:

I'm Bugged at My Old Man
Mrs O'Leary's Cow
Diamond Head
At My Window
My Solution
Feel Flows
A Day in the Life of a Tree
Mt Vernon and Fairway
Rolling Up to Heaven
Life is for the Living
Drip Drop Tears in My Bed
Wild Situation
He's a Bum
Rio Grande
« Last Edit: May 30, 2015, 09:25:51 AM by Magic Transistor Radio » Logged

"Over the years, I've been accused of not supporting our new music from this era (67-73) and just wanting to play our hits. That's complete b.s......I was also, as the front man, the one promoting these songs onstage and have the scars to show for it."
Mike Love autobiography (pg 242-243)
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« Reply #16 on: May 30, 2015, 01:17:16 PM »

Considering this is a list for a 12 year old:

I'm Bugged at My Old Man
Mrs O'Leary's Cow
Diamond Head
At My Window
My Solution
Feel Flows
A Day in the Life of a Tree
Mt Vernon and Fairway
Rolling Up to Heaven
Life is for the Living
Drip Drop Tears in My Bed
Wild Situation
He's a Bum
Rio Grande

Wild Situation with alternate lead by Dennis singing "now it´s a big erection" during the tag I presume?
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« Reply #17 on: May 30, 2015, 07:25:07 PM »

I first got into the BB when I was your son's age back in the early 80's. The only two tapes you could get back then  (for the most part) were Endless Summer and Spirit of America. I found the lesser known tunes on SOA to be some of my favorites. Things like This Car of Mine and wendy really got my ten year old self excited!
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« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2015, 10:35:56 PM »

I know your playlist is very Brian-oriented,
But I would include these non-Brian BBs classics…
Disney Girls, California Saga: California, and Somewhere Near Japan.
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« Reply #19 on: May 31, 2015, 02:27:22 AM »

See the winners of the Beach Boys Survivor threads. That is a great playlist.

What happened to the solo survivor threads?
What do you mean? In the polls, ofc. Some of you amaze me, this board is super-easy to use, yet nothing they can find. Ha!
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« Reply #20 on: May 31, 2015, 10:44:31 PM »

Considering this is a list for a 12 year old:

I'm Bugged at My Old Man
Mrs O'Leary's Cow
Diamond Head
At My Window
My Solution
Feel Flows
A Day in the Life of a Tree
Mt Vernon and Fairway
Rolling Up to Heaven
Life is for the Living
Drip Drop Tears in My Bed
Wild Situation
He's a Bum
Rio Grande

Wild Situation with alternate lead by Dennis singing "now it´s a big erection" during the tag I presume?

Yes, that will work. I forgot about All I Want to Do
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"Over the years, I've been accused of not supporting our new music from this era (67-73) and just wanting to play our hits. That's complete b.s......I was also, as the front man, the one promoting these songs onstage and have the scars to show for it."
Mike Love autobiography (pg 242-243)
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« Reply #21 on: July 16, 2017, 09:57:48 AM »

I recently had great success creating a playlist using very similar criteria to the original poster, jcm. I made this playlist for a very casual fan, so I decided to focus on the high points of the '60s and early '70s. It is largely chronological, with a strong emphasis on flow. It's quite long (47 songs, 2hr 7min), but I was able to achieve a fairly even distribution between early and 'later' period songs (17 pre-PS; 13 PS/Smile; 17 post-Smile). Even still, there's noticeable omissions (and I'm sure for many here a few odd inclusions), but I really wanted it to flow as smoothly as possible and I was always planning on making a 2nd playlist (Sunshine Tomorrow hadn't been released yet when I created this). I also created this playlist for myself, so there's that Grin

Anyway, the person I made this for has enthusiastically informed me that she has since listened to it about a dozen times, including at gatherings, and also checked out the film Love & Mercy as a result. Loving all of it, as far as I can tell.

Surfin' Safari
Lonely Sea
Little Deuce Coupe
Surfer Girl
I Get Around
Don't Worry Baby
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Hushabye
All Summer Long
Please Let Me Wonder
Kiss Me Baby
Dance Dance Dance
Help Me Rhonda
Fun Fun Fun
California Girls
Let Him Run Wild
And Your Dream Come True
Wouldn't It Be Nice
You Still Believe In Me
I'm Waiting For The Day
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
God Only Knows
Our Prayer
Gee
Heroes and Villains
Surf's Up
Good Vibrations
Wonderful
My Only Sunshine (Part 2: Master Take Vocal Overdub)
Vega-Tables
Break Away
This Whole World
I Can Hear Music
California Saga (On My Way...)
He Come Down
Forever
Old Man River
Cabinessence
Deirdre
All I Wanna Do
Add Some Music To Your Day
California Saga (Big Sur)
All This Is That
Sail On Sailor
Marcella
Til I Die
Baby Blue

Yep, I had to close it with Baby Blue from '79.
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« Reply #22 on: July 16, 2017, 10:18:59 AM »

Good work B.E! Grin
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« Reply #23 on: July 16, 2017, 04:19:15 PM »

Here's mine

Our Prayer
Surfin' USA
Wouldn't It Be Nice?
Darlin'
Fun Fun Fun
Friends
Do It Again
Good Timin'
Sail On, Sailor
I Get Around
Heroes and Villains
Don't Worry, Baby
The Warmth of The Sun
Shut Down
Good Vibrations
Sloop John B
In My Room
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Help Me, Rhonda
Marcella
Vegetables
Gettin' Hungry
I Can Hear Music
California Girls
Kokomo
Wind Chimes
God Only Knows
Wild Honey
Long Promised Road
All Summer Long
Break Away
Angel Come Home
Solar System
Here Today
Getcha Back
Cabin Essence
Add Some Music To Your Day
Funky Pretty
Surfin'
Lady Lynda
Please Let Me Wonder
Mrs O'Leary's Cow
At My Window
Diamond Head
Little Pad
It's About Time
Pet Sounds
That's Why God Made The Radio
Surfer Girl
Til' I Die
Surf's Up


(Then 1 minute of silence when suddenly)

Summer of Love
« Last Edit: July 16, 2017, 04:21:58 PM by HeroesandVillains » Logged
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