Songs Inspired by The Beach Boys

[James Hughes-Clarke]

Love's Gonna Be My Game, by James Clarke Five!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydq12zvnUww

[Bill30022]

“Hanging Out on the Beach” - Beaver Brown

Brian gets a nod in the last verse.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TTLUGItzaC4

[beatnickle]

Toward the end the Brian influence is evident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tde0ib4Vi0s

[JK]

Toward the end the Brian influence is evident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tde0ib4Vi0s

Indeed it is. Nice song actually. I must hear more from this album...

[guitarfool2002]

"Honeybee" by Steam Powered Giraffe. The influence doesn't come in until after 45 seconds, but you need to stick with the track to hear it.

I was introduced to this one recently. As soon as I heard it, I heard a Smiley Smile influence - In the groove, the vocals and vocal arrangement, and the moments of silence, the beat breaking down,  and room noise...I played "Little Pad" back to back with this one and it's there. Just listen to the lazy, random vocals as the track proceeds. I'd submit it's coming from musicians who know and love Smiley Smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK4msnq17tI

[SMiLE-addict]

I am convinced Paul was more or less trying to imitate You Still Believe in Me when he wrote Here There and Everywhere.

[Willy Wilson]

World Party 'Kuwait City'... give this a spin...... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApDAgCEgnS8

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Jack Nitzsche, "Lower California"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRchHnGSzew

[madlove]

Hi Everyone: I believe this is my first post here, I had some confusion over logging in. Long time fan of the forum. Here's a track inspired by all things BW off my band's album that was released on RCA in 1998. I grew up on the Byron Preiss book and have loved the Beach Boys since I was 13 and began writing music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0G0TICUipE

[rickymyfataar]

Supergrass - Alright
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-2dqMaf4-w

Is it me or am I hearing a lot of bbs references in this song. Guitar strumming very much like Don't worry baby's guitar break, lyrics somewhat like Mike Love's (It's Ok Vibe) & background vocals in the second verse is very much like 'You're so good to me'. Love to hear what you guys think.

[Juice Brohnston]

There weren't any readily available online so I scanned a few of those BW, PS-Smile era tribute shots from Cornelius' "Fantasma" booklet, for those interested.







Seeing those kinds of photos in an album package 20 years ago was like finding a kindred spirit in terms of knowing and paying tribute to the best music ever made...

These are awesome!

[Juice Brohnston]

Hung Up and Overdue on Petty's 'She's The One' Soundtrack. And Carl's on background vocals.  Actually that whole album seems to contain many homages to artists like The Byrds, Dylan, BB's etc. Always felt that it was underrated.

[Awesoman]

Check out this group:

https://youtu.be/L6LodGUpmxY

[jparis51]

"D.W. Suite" -- Lindsey Buckingham

Not to mention "Bang the Drum" from the same album, which I've always loved and thought was about Brian on top of the BB influenced music. Somehow the pauses with faint children's laughter in the background capture the essence of SMiLE for me even though the song and production doesn't sound at all like SMiLE. One of my favorite tracks by Lindsey.

Not to mention much of his work on Tusk!

[guitarfool2002]

"D.W. Suite" -- Lindsey Buckingham

Not to mention "Bang the Drum" from the same album, which I've always loved and thought was about Brian on top of the BB influenced music. Somehow the pauses with faint children's laughter in the background capture the essence of SMiLE for me even though the song and production doesn't sound at all like SMiLE. One of my favorite tracks by Lindsey.

Not to mention much of his work on Tusk!

No doubt! Lindsey was obviously and openly a big fan of Brian's sounds.

Consider his songs for National Lampoon's Vacation. I know, they're not as often discussed musically as his work on Tusk and other efforts solo and with the Mac, but Holiday Road's main hook which everyone knows owes a sonic and musical debt to Brian Wilson when that falsetto melody stretching the word "road" over multiple chords blasts out of the speakers. It's the same effect which Brian loved and then proceeded to use in his own melodies and songs after hearing Ronnie sing "Be My Baby" over the changing chords underneath.

Then consider the B-side, Lindsey's "Dancin Across The USA", also made famous years after the film by Family Guy. This track could have been a Love You track, just listen to the vocals and the basic synth-driven shuffle backing track. It could be a BB's or BW outtake if it weren't a solo Lindsey soundtrack tune. Heck, the first two vocal notes on "we went" sound like the late 70's Mike Love did the vocal! And Lindsey phrases the vocals in the verses using a delivery and tone very similar to Carl Wilson.

Holiday Road and Dancin Across The USA, give them a fresh listen to hear the influences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTLeuFni7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPi9KarAoM

[jparis51]

"D.W. Suite" -- Lindsey Buckingham

Not to mention "Bang the Drum" from the same album, which I've always loved and thought was about Brian on top of the BB influenced music. Somehow the pauses with faint children's laughter in the background capture the essence of SMiLE for me even though the song and production doesn't sound at all like SMiLE. One of my favorite tracks by Lindsey.

Not to mention much of his work on Tusk!

No doubt! Lindsey was obviously and openly a big fan of Brian's sounds.

Consider his songs for National Lampoon's Vacation. I know, they're not as often discussed musically as his work on Tusk and other efforts solo and with the Mac, but Holiday Road's main hook which everyone knows owes a sonic and musical debt to Brian Wilson when that falsetto melody stretching the word "road" over multiple chords blasts out of the speakers. It's the same effect which Brian loved and then proceeded to use in his own melodies and songs after hearing Ronnie sing "Be My Baby" over the changing chords underneath.

Then consider the B-side, Lindsey's "Dancin Across The USA", also made famous years after the film by Family Guy. This track could have been a Love You track, just listen to the vocals and the basic synth-driven shuffle backing track. It could be a BB's or BW outtake if it weren't a solo Lindsey soundtrack tune. Heck, the first two vocal notes on "we went" sound like the late 70's Mike Love did the vocal! And Lindsey phrases the vocals in the verses using a delivery and tone very similar to Carl Wilson.

Holiday Road and Dancin Across The USA, give them a fresh listen to hear the influences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTLeuFni7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPi9KarAoM

I've always loved both these songs but I never thought about the vocals on Dancin' that way, agree completely!

And Holiday Road, well I'd wager Brian would have had dogs barking out the beat if he'd had digital sampling in 1966...

[c-man]

"D.W. Suite" -- Lindsey Buckingham

Not to mention "Bang the Drum" from the same album, which I've always loved and thought was about Brian on top of the BB influenced music. Somehow the pauses with faint children's laughter in the background capture the essence of SMiLE for me even though the song and production doesn't sound at all like SMiLE. One of my favorite tracks by Lindsey.

Not to mention much of his work on Tusk!

No doubt! Lindsey was obviously and openly a big fan of Brian's sounds.

Consider his songs for National Lampoon's Vacation. I know, they're not as often discussed musically as his work on Tusk and other efforts solo and with the Mac, but Holiday Road's main hook which everyone knows owes a sonic and musical debt to Brian Wilson when that falsetto melody stretching the word "road" over multiple chords blasts out of the speakers. It's the same effect which Brian loved and then proceeded to use in his own melodies and songs after hearing Ronnie sing "Be My Baby" over the changing chords underneath.

Then consider the B-side, Lindsey's "Dancin Across The USA", also made famous years after the film by Family Guy. This track could have been a Love You track, just listen to the vocals and the basic synth-driven shuffle backing track. It could be a BB's or BW outtake if it weren't a solo Lindsey soundtrack tune. Heck, the first two vocal notes on "we went" sound like the late 70's Mike Love did the vocal! And Lindsey phrases the vocals in the verses using a delivery and tone very similar to Carl Wilson.

Holiday Road and Dancin Across The USA, give them a fresh listen to hear the influences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTLeuFni7s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPi9KarAoM

Ironically, Brian reportedly had a new tune called "Dancin' U.S.A" in the early '80s, around the time of the "Cocaine Sessions" - this was reported in the pages of the "Add Some Music" fanzine circa late '81.

[pixletwin]

Just a few:

Mr. Wilson - John Cale
Pale and precious - The Dukes Of Stratosphere (XTC)
At my most beautiful (R.E.M)
Brown shoes don't make it (Mothers Of Invention - a few bars parody The Beach Boys including a Little deuce coupe quote)
Mar de las Pampas - Super Ratones (Argentinean band. Released in 1998 and dedicated to Carl) https://youtu.be/36KfrecGNeA

I just heard the REM track last Saturday for the first time. Good song and amazingly BB influenced.

[Needleinthehay]

Just a few:

Mr. Wilson - John Cale
Pale and precious - The Dukes Of Stratosphere (XTC)
At my most beautiful (R.E.M)
Brown shoes don't make it (Mothers Of Invention - a few bars parody The Beach Boys including a Little deuce coupe quote)
Mar de las Pampas - Super Ratones (Argentinean band. Released in 1998 and dedicated to Carl) https://youtu.be/36KfrecGNeA

I just heard the REM track last Saturday for the first time. Good song and amazingly BB influenced.

About the REM song...heres what stipe said about it
".... I came up with this one line, 'I found a way to make you smile.' All I knew was The Beach Boys had a record or a song called Smile – is that right? – so I was like, 'Well, this will be my gift to [bandmates and Beach Boys fans] Peter and Mike, and Bill at the time..."
Also the cellos at the end are a total homage to Good Vibrations. Along with the chord inversions.

I think its funny that Stipe was the one guy in the band who didnt like the beach boys but wrote the lyrics as a tribute to Brian anyways, barely even know what Smile was...

In case someone hasnt heard it, here is a link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIXs66BPooY
its from late 90s
great song...

[Don Malcolm]

From the immediate post-SMILE era, you guys are overlooking the semi-infamous Michael Lloyd in 19-year old wunderkind mode with The Smoke ("Cowboys & Indians" and "Odyssey").

And from the first wave of sun-fun nostalgia in 1973-75, there's Flash Cadillac, particularly the tracks penned by Kris Moe ("Time Will Tell"). More 1963-64 than 1965, and a bit thin, but definitely going for the BBs via the Sunrays and not bad...

"Mr. Guder" by the Carpenters, in the "harmony breakdown" section--Richard is definitely channeling Brian....

[James Hughes-Clarke]

The Redemption of Casper Green - James Clarke Five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nRW6fKdqVw

[smile-holland]

Garbage: Push It (includes a musical quotation of "Don't Worry Baby")

[guitarfool2002]

Just a few:

Mr. Wilson - John Cale
Pale and precious - The Dukes Of Stratosphere (XTC)
At my most beautiful (R.E.M)
Brown shoes don't make it (Mothers Of Invention - a few bars parody The Beach Boys including a Little deuce coupe quote)
Mar de las Pampas - Super Ratones (Argentinean band. Released in 1998 and dedicated to Carl) https://youtu.be/36KfrecGNeA

I just heard the REM track last Saturday for the first time. Good song and amazingly BB influenced.

About the REM song...heres what stipe said about it
".... I came up with this one line, 'I found a way to make you smile.' All I knew was The Beach Boys had a record or a song called Smile – is that right? – so I was like, 'Well, this will be my gift to [bandmates and Beach Boys fans] Peter and Mike, and Bill at the time..."
Also the cellos at the end are a total homage to Good Vibrations. Along with the chord inversions.

I think its funny that Stipe was the one guy in the band who didnt like the beach boys but wrote the lyrics as a tribute to Brian anyways, barely even know what Smile was...

In case someone hasnt heard it, here is a link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIXs66BPooY
its from late 90s
great song...

Yes, that REM tune is a brilliant and beautiful homage to Brian's production style. I'm guessing Buck and Mills were the ones who drove the arrangement, if Stipe wasn't as big of a fan or wasn't as aware, there had to be someone who knew that music of Brian's well enough to be able to write such an arrangement and soundscape. It hits on all the key elements.

Actually, it sounds like as much of a tribute to some of Brian's solo work as it does the BB's.

[guitarfool2002]

Here's one I've posted several times before dating back to the Smile Shop days and probably a few times on this board too...so forgive the repetition.

I bought this album by the band Doves solely on the strength of seeing the premiere of the video for the terrific song "Catch The Sun" on MTV's 120 Minutes back in the day. I bought a lot of amazing albums that same way...watch 120 Minutes late Sunday night, hear something great, then hit the record store either Monday or Tuesday to buy the CD. Quite a few of these albums I bought that way would hold at least one surprise in the way of a track that sounded like a Brian Wilson tribute or influence!

So I bought the Doves album, and lo and behold there was this track tacked on like a bonus track.

You'll recognize this right away...Doves wore this one not just on their sleeve, but on matching outfits..."Valley"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEWaho-ammk


(PS - Here is "Catch The Sun" too...as soon as that 2nd chord kicked in, I was hooked. Great chorus too. The way they build the instrumental break is really cool. f***, I wish I could get home on a late Sunday night, turn on 120 Minutes, and hear stuff like this again. Alas those days are long gone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM05Jp0ix3Y )

[kwan_dk]

Bumping this thread since  'Sound of the Summer', a new song by Surf School Dropouts, fits into the discussion. Rodney Bingenheimer featured it in his most recent show. There's a name check for the Beach Boys in there as well; "Well, it's Brian and the guys singing harmony" during the short break near the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14vWAe2iPbk