The Rarest Type of Beach Boys Song?

[RangeRoverA1]

john left it off the list. There's no need for deep analysis as the difference is drastic.

[JK]

I left it off the list because it's a bone of contention. Give me the easy way out every time.

Actually, I came here to ask if anyone has any idea who's conducting the mini-dialogue in "Amusement Parks USA" (a joyous song if ever there was one). 

[RangeRoverA1]

I don't think so. You left it off because you agreed with me & because it's clearly difference between the 2. You asked for speech bits. There you have anything BUT Don't Back Down. Seriously, I never thought or heard or suspected or realized that "Not my boys" is talking. It is sung, once again. So it's out.

[Sheriff John Stone]

One long - the talking (arguing?) on "TM Song", and one short - Carl's son saying "Hi" on "The Trader". I know I'm in the minority here, but I think both songs would've benefited WITHOUT the spoken word(s).

[Emily]

I left it off the list because it's a bone of contention. Give me the easy way out every time.

I'm cool with that.

[sockittome]

"Not my boys" is clearly sung (I believe someone named the notes earlier).  There's no other way to look at it really.

A few more that actually belong on the list:

Custom Machine--"Step on the gas she goes...."
Do You Remember--"Goodness gracious great balls of fire!"

[RangeRoverA1]

"Not my boys" is clearly sung (I believe someone named the notes earlier).  There's no other way to look at it really.

good gracious, thank you! I'm not alone. I nearly began feeling like an idiot convincing of same.

[JK]

Seriously, I never thought or heard or suspected or realized that "Not my boys" is talking. It is sung, once again. So it's out.

Oddly, to my mind it has always had the "feel" of speech. It's the "lie" of the words that does it. The first two fit a spoken version perfectly but the third is too high. 

[sockittome]

Seriously, I never thought or heard or suspected or realized that "Not my boys" is talking. It is sung, once again. So it's out.

Oddly, to my mind it has always had the "feel" of speech. It's the "lie" of the words that does it. The first two fit a spoken version perfectly but the third is too high. 

Maybe we just perceive it differently, but in my mind "not my boys" is part of the melody.  Imagine the song without that phrase.  It would be pretty awkward.  The "don't back down, don't back down" counter melody would carry the song a little bit, but that main vocal would be left hanging.

In comparison, "split man" doesn't really follow a melody.  It could've been spoken in any tone, key, or pitch.  The same could not be said for "not my boys".

Just my 5 cents (adjusted for inflation, of course!  )

[Emily]

Seriously, I never thought or heard or suspected or realized that "Not my boys" is talking. It is sung, once again. So it's out.

Oddly, to my mind it has always had the "feel" of speech. It's the "lie" of the words that does it. The first two fit a spoken version perfectly but the third is too high. 

Maybe we just perceive it differently, but in my mind "not my boys" is part of the melody.  Imagine the song without that phrase.  It would be pretty awkward.  The "don't back down, don't back down" counter melody would carry the song a little bit, but that main vocal would be left hanging.

In comparison, "split man" doesn't really follow a melody.  It could've been spoken in any tone, key, or pitch.  The same could not be said for "not my boys".

Just my 5 cents (adjusted for inflation, of course!  )

This makes sense. The line between speech and singing is gray. But I think you could say the same for others on the list - I mean, take the speech out of summertime blues and drive in and where are you?

[JK]

The line between speech and singing is gray.

True. Where does singing stop and speech begin? What to make of, say, The Sex Pistols' "God Save The Queen"?  

[Summer_Days]

Don't forget 'With Me Tonight'.

"GOOD."