It's a Beautiful Day

[adamghost]

Definitely sounds like a Carl solo.  Interesting that the whole band (barring Dennis) is on it.  I can only think of one other track from that era where this is true ("Endless Harmony').  C-Man, am I wrong about that?

[petsite]

June 15 & 17 1979 - sessions: It's A Beautiful Day [LoveSongs Mobile Unit (Mike's remote recording studio)] - Brian was not involved with any of the recording.

August 13, 1979 - Americathon soundtrack LP released with long version of It's A Beautiful Day.

October 18, 1979 - It's A Beautiful Day bw Sumahama single released.



This was a killer track. I snuck a cassette recorder into the movie theatre and recorded the song (I sat in the front row). I knew the LP wouldn't be out for weeks. I rode around all the next day listening to this song.

[SIP.FLAC]

This is a great track. A little long.

[Cabinessenceking]

Although the timing of "It's a Beautiful Day" may be from the L.A. era, I don't think it was ever seriously a candidate for that album.  Instead it was written and recorded specifically for the movie "Americathon."  The lyrics about the "skies being clear" and "cars having disappeared from the scene" tie directly to the movie's plot about cars being banned in L.A. due to the smog problem, and everyone having to ride bicycles to work.

Lee

Yep, it was actually recorded after the release of L.A. (Light), according to the AFM contract anyway.  Don't have it with me at the moment, but I believe it was cut in Santa Barbara.  Musicians paid for the session (and presumably ON the track or at least present at the session) were Carl, Al, Brian, and Bruce, plus a drummer and a bassist.   So the guitars are Carl &Al (yay!).

so who's playing piano, Brian or Bruce? and what is the other one doing?

Prob Bruce or one of their touring group members. Brian most likely in bed again at this stage ^^

[Aegir]

Can't you read? C-man just said Brian played on this song.

[Freddie French-Pounce]

Hi everyone,

I noticed that the Sumahama UK 45 had a song called "It's a Beautiful Day" on the B-side.  Can someone fill me in on this song?  Was it recorded during the L.A. sessions?  Does it fit in with L.A.'s mood (that sort-of soft mellow rock approach)?  Who sings lead?  Did Brian have anything to do with this song (probably not)?  Any info anyone could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Are you sure you meant the UK one? As my UK 45 has Angel Come Home on the B-Side, as does every other one I've seen.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I haven't heard this one before and I can't find it anywhere. 

It's on youtube, and it's great!

[SIP.FLAC]

Can't you read? C-man just said Brian played on this song.

Actually, Brian was in bed from 1967-2004.

[adamghost]

IIRC, there's "rhythm" piano AND organ on this one, so my guess would be Bruce on one and Brian on the other.  Al on bass perhaps? 

[donald]

I have the movie soundtrack.  In the film, the song is introduced by a DJ as being heard on the radio.   It was a spoof on how long the BBs had been around at that time in the future.  It would be a fun bit of irony to do the song with that intro on the current tour.

[rn57]

Someone put up the whole Americathon movie on YouTube today, so now you can listen to IABD in its original "context."

[urbanite]

It's too long and the use of Fun Fun Fun in the lyrics sort of torpedoed it.  The vocals on it are great.

[petsite]

Here we go. First from Billboard Magazine:



And a review from the Add Some Music fan magazine:

[Jukka]

I had never even heard of this! Great track. At first I thought it's a bit uninspired, mut then Mike dropped the FFF-bomb like only he can, and I instantly felt positivity flow into my veins!

[STE]

The whole movie magically appeared here:  http://youtu.be/ssB0bCFCLck, http://youtu.be/xp715j27qHk


The song starts here: http://youtu.be/ssB0bCFCLck?t=2m50s

[Autotune]

And a review from the Add Some Music fan magazine:

There was a time when being a briannista was the only way to go.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Have to agree with Mr Cunningham here.

[thatjacob]

I can see why I had never heard of it until today, but that doesn't help the fact that it's annoyingly stuck in my head.

[pixletwin]

So if John Ritter was playing the president in 1998, that would mean he is playing Bill Clinton right?  

[KittyKat]

It's a well-written song in terms of being film music.  It fits the opening title sequence and the lyrics describe the world in the film.  I wonder if they were working from a general description of the opening sequence and theme of the film or watched the scene itself.  Yes, it is catchy, though it is repetitive. 

[petsite]

Anybody else find it odd that the boys recorded theme songs for TWO John Ritter movies (AMERICATHON and PROBLEM CHILD).

[Aegir]

They would've sounded great doing the Three's Company theme, Bruce singing the girl parts.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Lol already back then they were giving those kind of descriptions to their songs, oh man.

[Les Chan]

To my knowledge, the Beach Boys never performed It's A Beautiful Day in concert.    Anyone know anything different?

[c-man]

Although the timing of "It's a Beautiful Day" may be from the L.A. era, I don't think it was ever seriously a candidate for that album.  Instead it was written and recorded specifically for the movie "Americathon."  The lyrics about the "skies being clear" and "cars having disappeared from the scene" tie directly to the movie's plot about cars being banned in L.A. due to the smog problem, and everyone having to ride bicycles to work.

Lee

Yep, it was actually recorded after the release of L.A. (Light), according to the AFM contract anyway.  Don't have it with me at the moment, but I believe it was cut in Santa Barbara.  Musicians paid for the session (and presumably ON the track or at least present at the session) were Carl, Al, Brian, and Bruce, plus a drummer and a bassist.   So the guitars are Carl &Al (yay!).

so who's playing piano, Brian or Bruce? and what is the other one doing?

Can't say for sure, but my guess is Bruce on the rockin' piano (very similar in style to his playing earlier that year on the Midnight Special mini-concert).  Brian, if he IS on the track, would be playing the minimilistic organ part, I would say.