Rock N Roll To The Rescue Vocals

[Alan Smith]

-- Those solo response lines in the chorus are surely sung by Brian rather than Al, no? (Someone already posted about this, and I agree.)

It does sound like Brian to me.

I agree, and the accompanying video backs this up - and what's not believeable about that fine piece of visual art?

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

All the production work in the world couldn't save this song. The songs a dud and if someone had said it early on they could have saved a lot of time and effort and put the work into something better.

[Ziggy Stardust]

All the production work in the world couldn't save this song. The songs a dud and if someone had said it early on they could have saved a lot of time and effort and put the work into something better.

For what tho? at this point the Beach Boys were past their time and nothing much was going on during that time as far as i can remember.

I think it's alright and agree that it deserves to be more popular than Kokomo i guess, what mostly bothers me is the "wouhouhouh" somewhere in the intro..
i havn't read anything about the song so i don't know if it was intended but it's obviously the same as the one the Beatles did in Back in the USSR by actually "making fun" of the Beach Boys..

[Nicko1234]

I am one of the hardy bunch who rank this as one the best songs (relatively speaking) that the band recorded in the 1980s. It's obviously just a throwaway fun song but I think it succeeds on those terms.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

I think its actually quite promising for the first minute but the weak ass chorus kills it IMO and its all downhill from there

[Rocker]

- it indeed seems to be "mama's things".

- the "Tutti frutti" quote is "wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom", not "be bop wadda loo bop a-whop bam boom". Brian's singing "wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom" though.

- the "rescued me...." lines are Brian

original video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKqd_9Xx9IQ

remix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh_Aqxhib8o

[oldsurferdude]

All the production work in the world couldn't save this song. The songs a dud and if someone had said it early on they could have saved a lot of time and effort and put the work into something better.

Yes, and easily ranks way up there with some of the worst things they've done. Embarrassing as hell. Should never have seen the light of day.

[Mikie]

Just listened to it again and it still sounds to me like "And it happened I was lookin' through my mama's knees."

But I just checked the Daywin Music (Terry Melcher's publishing) lyric sheet, which "includes the professional fake book arrangement" and sho 'nuff it's "things."

'Course they spell "mama" as "mamma" on the sheet music so I think some things aren't always right with interpretation........

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

[Nicko1234]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

I think seeing Carl having fun in the video is great to be honest.

Mike was...being Mike. 

[Rocker]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

I think seeing Carl having fun in the video is great to be honest.

Mike was...being Mike. 

I think the video was a fun, goofy party-video and the boys went with that. I like how they act like they having the ball of their life

[Ian]

I really like it. You have to put it in context. Is it great art? No. But is it good natured fun for beach boys fans? Yes.  Same opinion of last studio album. It may not be pet sounds revisited but its better than any lp since. 1979

[Nicko1234]

I think the video was a fun, goofy party-video and the boys went with that. I like how they act like they having the ball of their life

Indeed. It's also interesting to compare that with the image of the band presented in Stephen McParland's book in 1986.

[Melt Away]

The video was awesome! Cheesy as hell but awesome because they actually look like they're having some fun. If Carl/Brian weren't into the song and attempting to make a cooky video then we would of been able to tell! Granted, Brian is a little spaced out on the faux live tv performance but that 80's Brian for you.

If you can look past some of the production and try and put yourself in 1986(Dear God...) then it really works! After Carl wails his "You better get ready, now go, cat, go" and Brian comes in with his "Long tall Sally.." line. Ah! SO GOOD!

I feel like this song could of been on the SDASN album only way more "Brian Wilson"-esque sounding (Crazy to think it was 21 years after SDASN!!). Did Terry Melcher write the music to this?

[Wirestone]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

I miss Ron when I read posts like this. I mean, on one level I kind of agree with it. The tune is a tarted-up trifle.

But on the other hand, if you can't appreciate the Beach Boys' take on a song like this (with actual Brian involvement in lead vocals, production and from the sound of it, vocal arrangements), I feel like you miss out on a big part of the band. At a certain level, the BBs are tacky and square and like your dad trying to dance, and that's an essential piece of their appeal.

[oldsurferdude]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

I miss Ron when I read posts like this. I mean, on one level I kind of agree with it. The tune is a tarted-up trifle.

But on the other hand, if you can't appreciate the Beach Boys' take on a song like this (with actual Brian involvement in lead vocals, production and from the sound of it, vocal arrangements), I feel like you miss out on a big part of the band. At a certain level, the BBs are tacky and square and like your dad trying to dance, and that's an essential piece of their appeal.

Why would one forsake a "big part of the band" if they didn't care for a couple of their songs? Especially songs that reek of parody? Does one have to subscribe faithfully to everything they do in order to not miss out on on a part of the band? Just sayin'.

[GhostyTMRS]

At the time I remember thinking this could've been hit if they had just let Al sing the whole thing. The Brian Wilson of 1986 is not exactly the kind of voice talent you want on a tune that's targeting a mainstream pop audience (2012 yes...with some studio wizardry).   

I can't fault the video. ALL of the guys (including Brian) look like they're having the time of their lives. This is one of those situations where high art can go take a hike. "What? You want us to cavort with a bunch of twenty year old girls with big t**s on the beach?....Yeah, we'll ALL be there. In fact, we're can't get there soon enough!". Can't say I blame them.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Rock and Roll to the Rescue is absolutely appalling, much like practically everything else they did in the '80's. And the video? Shoot me now. The moment at 1.45 when Carl sings into the camera, wobbling his head while he does so, and then it cuts to Mike appearing beside some bikini-clad babe and eyeballing her tits - honestly, even taking into account the Summer of Love video, I would say this is the single most embarrassing moment in their career. Just horrid. And again, a rubbish song.

I miss Ron when I read posts like this. I mean, on one level I kind of agree with it. The tune is a tarted-up trifle.

But on the other hand, if you can't appreciate the Beach Boys' take on a song like this (with actual Brian involvement in lead vocals, production and from the sound of it, vocal arrangements), I feel like you miss out on a big part of the band. At a certain level, the BBs are tacky and square and like your dad trying to dance, and that's an essential piece of their appeal.

Why would one forsake a "big part of the band" if they didn't care for a couple of their songs? Especially songs that reek of parody? Does one have to subscribe faithfully to everything they do in order to not miss out on on a part of the band? Just sayin'.

Thanks oldsurferdude! You saved me the trouble of having to write exactly what you've just said myself.

[punkinhead]

c*ck an ear to the percadella mix - who's singing what is much easier to work out. Nice bass line by Mike, too !

What's percadella mix mean anyways?

[Sam_BFC]

Percussion and vocals?

[harveyw]

I always assumed they intended to call it the "percapella" (PERCussion & a cAPELLA DO YOU SEE?) mix. But someone got it wrong somewhere along the way.

[busy doin nothin]

No doubt at all that it's Brian singing "I said it rescued me, and it'll rescue you."  Also it is clearly "my momma's things."

Not a great song, but I love the way they really let the vocals rip.  Hearing Brian and Carl sing like that has to be worth something, no?

[Jay]

Can this song be found on any currently in print cd? I ended up having to get a used copy of Made In the USA, or whatever it's called. I love the song. I think it was probably the most "Beach Boys" sounding song since Good Timin'.

[Custom Machine]

Interesting to see all the "love it" and "hate it" reactions to this song.  Add me to the group who thinks this is an embarrassingly bad song in just about every respect, easily one of the worst recordings the Beach Boys ever made.

[MBE]

Ok record nothing I would buy if it wasn't The Beach Boys. Video is hideous.