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Author Topic: Mike Love's songwriting  (Read 11477 times)
Rerun
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« on: February 09, 2006, 09:36:36 PM »

How does Mike write music if he doesn't know how to play anything?  I know he often times is just a collaborator, but there are "Mike Love songs" out there...
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« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2006, 10:13:04 PM »

As far as I know, he usually just came up with some good hooks (suggesting them as Brian played demos).

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« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2006, 10:33:29 PM »

He's been the frontman of one of the largest bands of all time for the past 40 years... he probably just has a good understanding of basic music theory, although he doesn't play any instruments.  He's probably been in the studio while hundreds of songs were recorded and picked up simple chord progressions and such along the way. 
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« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2006, 10:36:16 PM »

I always figured he'd just sing the melody to Carl or somebody, and Carl would transcribe the chords charts.  No knowledge of theory necessary!
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2006, 10:44:53 PM »

I have little to no knowledge of theory, and yet have written/recorded over 1000 songs in 5 years, so it certainly is possible.

The songs off the top of my head that Mike wrote by himself : Everyone's in love with you, Big Sur, Brian's Back, and Sumahama...right?
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2006, 11:45:54 PM »

The songs off the top of my head that Mike wrote by himself : Everyone's in love with you, Big Sur, Brian's Back, and Sumahama...right?
...and Let The Wind Blow, at least partially.
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« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2006, 02:10:10 AM »

I've seen pictures of him playing the guitar before.. and he does play the saxophone.

Before I could play the guitar, I would sing the song to one of my friends who would try to come up with the chords for it.. but it was always a double-composer-credit (not like it matters when you're not selling anything, but still).
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« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2006, 05:36:46 AM »

If he really did learn the Sax in high school or something (I'm not sure if he knows how to play or it was just a joke for a recording session? Don't think I know the song he plays it on), then he would have the ability to read sheet music and therefore easily know enough to make a basic song.  I think it's transposed, though, isn't it, or is a Sax a "C" instrument?
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« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2006, 06:09:42 AM »

If he really did learn the Sax in high school or something (I'm not sure if he knows how to play or it was just a joke for a recording session? Don't think I know the song he plays it on), then he would have the ability to read sheet music and therefore easily know enough to make a basic song.  I think it's transposed, though, isn't it, or is a Sax a "C" instrument?

The song is 'Shutdown' - Mike's sax part is a minimalist classic.
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« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2006, 06:30:32 AM »

You don't need to know theory to write a song.
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« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2006, 06:39:51 AM »

He also played the sax live.  There is a killer version of What'd I Say from Sydney where Mike wails away; it is simply the best live track done by the original 5 that has survived.  Had he been serious about that, he could have made a great impact on the BB live sound.  If only...
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« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2006, 08:03:13 AM »

Intriguing. I haven't heard that. Does he play more than two notes?
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« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2006, 08:08:08 AM »

He wails, man.
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« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2006, 08:49:23 AM »

If he really did learn the Sax in high school or something (I'm not sure if he knows how to play or it was just a joke for a recording session? Don't think I know the song he plays it on), then he would have the ability to read sheet music and therefore easily know enough to make a basic song.  I think it's transposed, though, isn't it, or is a Sax a "C" instrument?

Tenor/Soprano Sax = B flat instruments
Alto/Bari Sax = A flat instruments
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Rerun
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« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2006, 09:18:27 AM »

He's been the frontman of one of the largest bands of all time for the past 40 years... he probably just has a good understanding of basic music theory, although he doesn't play any instruments.  He's probably been in the studio while hundreds of songs were recorded and picked up simple chord progressions and such along the way. 

I guess I just mean, I can whip up a little melody just singing to myself, but if I was going to write a full song, it seems as though I'd want to be able to play either a piano or a guitar to do so.  For example, when Brian talks about writing "Surfer Girl" he says he was in his car.  I remember somebody in an interview asking him how he did so without a piano, and he responded that he was playing the piano in his head, or something along those lines.  I just have to imagine it'd be immensley more productive to have those skills to create a rhythm to build a melody around.
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« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2006, 11:32:56 AM »

its easy, all u have to do is find a genius once in a life time type songwriter and be around. mike love isnt great and he isnt bad, he was just there
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« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2006, 11:54:48 AM »

Alto saxes are actually Eb instruments, and that sax solo on shut down is horrifying. They gave Mike the job of playing two notes and he barely could pull it off.
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« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2006, 04:27:11 PM »

I really like Gettin Hungry on SS and that is Mikes voice. Also love him on Funky Pretty. Mike is rely cool when he buys into the song, but his Axl Rose like ego sometimes hurt the band.
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b.dfzo
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« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2006, 07:58:31 PM »

I think Mike Love was essential because he was.  I know that sounds odd, but, stick with me...this is equivalent to pontificating The Beatles without Ringo.  Sure, Mr. Starkey won the lottery by getting to be in a group that is, in general, lauded as The Greatest Band of All Time...but that doesn't mean he was NOT essential --- because he was!  I mean, Ringo wrote a couple songs on his own (presumably) and, though they are simple in composition, they are Beatles songs.  Same thing with Mike Love...his hook suggestions for the Beach Boys' songs are remembered by anyone who hears them.

Regardless of talent or lack thereof, it was the chemistry, or a collision (however you want to classify it) of the ideas, personalities, style and sound of performing...the very beings of the individual members together.

I know this doesn't settle anything about his writing...oh, well...

...how 'bout that sax solo he so expertly executed on "Kokomo"?!?  Wink
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« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2006, 08:32:58 PM »

 Wink That wasn't him.
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b.dfzo
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« Reply #20 on: February 10, 2006, 08:42:22 PM »

Wink That wasn't him.

Ooh, really?  Well, look at that!  That wasn't him!  Sure!  And I'm the Magical Man from Happy-Land, in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Laaaane!  (Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic!)
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« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2006, 10:10:56 PM »

I don't really see the correlation between Ringo and Mike.  I think Paul's grandfather from "A Hard Day's Night" would be more analagous.  Besides, they're both bald.

Mike's contribution to the Beach Boys legacy would have been far, far greater if at any point he had agreed to let them spank his head like the little guy on Benny Hill.  That "Endless Summer" TV show would be going into its nineteenth season about now.
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Aegir
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« Reply #22 on: February 11, 2006, 04:15:19 AM »

Actually, it was a session musician that played the saxophone solo on the Kokomo recording.

And I think the band changed with Mike Love. When he was clean cut and shirt-tucked, the band had that feeling as well. His beard sprung up right around the point where the band was becoming more mature. He went to transcendental meditation camp in India and came back with a long beard and a robe, and the Beach Boys became effed-up hippies. When he started becoming more conservative again in his older age, the band returned to "feel good, fun-in-the-sun" music.

Also, I like his singing, most of the time.
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« Reply #23 on: February 11, 2006, 05:11:58 AM »

I don't even agree with the Ringo/Mike point... because in my opinion, they both were very talented.  I think it's a slight to say that Ringo didn't have much talent (when he clearly did, as a drummer!) and I think it's a slight to say that Mike didn't have any talent (which he clearly had, as a singer, frontman, live performer, lyricist).  Although it's easy to say Mike wasn't that talented when you stand him next to a genius like Brian Wilson... in reality, Mike Love has written or co-written some of the best-loved music of all time.  That's not an exxageration or opinion, it's the truth.  There's also certain moments that stand up against pretty much any music before or after, the lyrics to "Warmth of the Sun" are what we usually point at to say "Look, he's f'in GOOD". 

Mikes voice was essential to their early sound, his bass harmonies approach incredible on certain tracks, and the audiences enjoyed him and still do to this day, even though he clearly is nowhere near as good as he once was.  Mike's an asshole, but he's also a legend.

Ringo is so cool for so many reasons I don't even have to mention them, you can just feel 'em.  LOL. 
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b.dfzo
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« Reply #24 on: February 11, 2006, 06:28:05 AM »

The comparison of Ringo and Mike was made as an example of what some people erroneously regard as "dispensible members".  I certainly don't think that, but it is a perception: at the time, quite a few fans thought The Beatles were better with Pete Best ("Ringo Never, Pete Best Forever".)  It doesn't mean they were right.  Seems to be a similar line in this thread about Mike.  He added considerably to the group.

Aegir: I know it wasn't Mike on the sax.  Why else would I quote Homer Simpson? Smiley  And I agree, to point: he made himself the flagship member as the group went into the 70s/80s/etc.  I mean, he was the only member I knew about, simply because of "Full House".  Brian who?

Ron: When did I say Ringo and Mike were not talented?  The general opinion is that Ringo is The World's Luckiest Drummer - does that mean I think he "didn't have much talent"?  No...in fact, I agree with you on Ringo's coolness.  (That's probably why The Beatles chose him for their drummer; compared to Pete Best, he was a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room.)  The general opinion on Mike is that he just happened to be a. Brian's cousin b. hanging around.  That is a general opinion.  I didn't say he "didn't have any talent".  To say I agree wholeheartedly with the above theories is to shortchange the members.  Each guy brought something to the table that made the group and made the songs.  So, I said all that to say this: the reports of their expendability are greatly exaggerated.
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