Strange edits

[metal flake paint]

I’m referring to “The Little Girl I Once Knew”, specifically at the part where Mike sings, “Look out, babe”. Initially the instrumental takes had a 4 bar interval before the chorus but when the vocal overdubs proceed, the second bar is missing creating an unusual time shift (for Brian anyway) in the song.

 “I’d Love Just Once To See You” in the section between “It’s not too late for you to take a drive” and the “baa, ba, ba, ba’s which has only six beats, not the usual eight (sounds like a hard edit).

“Transcendental Meditation” the first bar of “Ah, ah, ah’s” is clipped and not a full 4/4.

Does anyone know why these happened? Was it caused by tape slippage? Was it a conscious decision on Brian’s part (less likely IMO as it seems he liked to keep the rhythm constant)?

[JB Wilojarston]

I’m referring to “The Little Girl I Once Knew”, specifically at the part where Mike sings, “Look out, babe”. Initially the instrumental takes had a 4 bar interval before the chorus but when the vocal overdubs proceed, the second bar is missing creating an unusual time shift (for Brian anyway) in the song.

 “I’d Love Just Once To See You” in the section between “It’s not too late for you to take a drive” and the “baa, ba, ba, ba’s which has only six beats, not the usual eight (sounds like a hard edit).

“Transcendental Meditation” the first bar of “Ah, ah, ah’s” is clipped and not a full 4/4.

Does anyone know why these happened? Was it caused by tape slippage? Was it a conscious decision on Brian’s part (less likely IMO as it seems he liked to keep the rhythm constant)?

There was no tape slippage and Brian made conscious desicions on these edits.
Producers and engineers make edit decisions based on flow, musicality and the need for shortening (in the case of a single). THE LITTLE GIRL I ONCE KNEW:I think that the they felt the second break was too long and it was simply shortened. The edit on I'D LOVE JUST ONCE TO SEE YOU, could have been made because there might not have been a way to connect the two sections at the expected spots. The chord change may have been awkward; the original edit point may simply not have worked (that can happen when the edited on portion has overlapping music/vocals from the previous bar on it).

[art rush]

off-topic: what's with the monkeys in here comes the night?

[Aegir]

It's a common disco remix thing to do. There's a "jungle mix" of the Superman theme that has monkeys in it.

[Alex]

I’m referring to “The Little Girl I Once Knew”, specifically at the part where Mike sings, “Look out, babe”. Initially the instrumental takes had a 4 bar interval before the chorus but when the vocal overdubs proceed, the second bar is missing creating an unusual time shift (for Brian anyway) in the song.

 “I’d Love Just Once To See You” in the section between “It’s not too late for you to take a drive” and the “baa, ba, ba, ba’s which has only six beats, not the usual eight (sounds like a hard edit).

“Transcendental Meditation” the first bar of “Ah, ah, ah’s” is clipped and not a full 4/4.

Does anyone know why these happened? Was it caused by tape slippage? Was it a conscious decision on Brian’s part (less likely IMO as it seems he liked to keep the rhythm constant)?

NEEEEERRRRRDDDDD!!!!!!

Just kidding.

[Jay]

I mentioned this very same subject on another Beach Boys message board. I suspect that the awkward edit in "I'd Love Just Once To See You" may have been deliberate. It fits well with the general "off beat" mood of the entire album. It wouldn't surprise me if this is just another example of Brian's odd humor.

[Poprocks]

I've always found the edit, or at least the timing, in I'm So Young to be kind of strange - the part where Mike goes "doo doo doo" and then Brian goes "Pretty soon..." - it feels a bit abrupt.