Underrated BB-Related Songs

[Foster's Freeze]

The one that really stands out to me is:

Keepin' The Summer Alive

The studio version is a nice cut but when this was played live, the band really laid into it.  What a great song!

Hmmmm, what else....

[Foster's Freeze]

And more.....

Cindy Oh Cindy
Full Sail
Funky Pretty
Let the Wind Blow
It’s a Beautiful Day
It's Gettin' Late
Santa Ana Winds
This Whole World
Marcella
Pitter Patter
Aren’t You Glad
Susie Cincinnati
Ding Dang
Shortenin’ Bread
Almost Summer

[Mike's Beard]

Here's one that just popped into my head - "That Same Song". Not the 15BO version which is pretty cack but that amazing gospel choir version they rip through on the '76 t.v. special. If only Brian had thought of doing it that way for the album. I think it may have influenced Dennis when he recorded his solo version of "River Song".

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I've always thought Diamond Head is a killer slice of Brian atmosphere which really sends the Friends album off into some really interesting/unexpected territory while still feeling completely at home on that album!

[Sheriff John Stone]

I've always thought Diamond Head is a killer slice of Brian atmosphere which really sends the Friends album off into some really interesting/unexpected territory while still feeling completely at home on that album!

Yeah, Side B of Friends has a cool vibe/atmosphere, one of the most eclectic sides of any Beach Boys' album.

[slothrop]

Ditto on the two above posts. Imagine if We're Together Again or I Went To Sleep were added? Sleep especially fits the Friends vibe I think and would've been a great ending after TM.

[punkinhead]

speaking of ding dang, I was thinking how it should have ended the Love You album...no tracklisting for it, just have it as a hidden track after Love is a Woman, it would give that Brian Wilson 'charm' that we all love and know.

[Foster's Freeze]

I've always thought Diamond Head is a killer slice of Brian atmosphere which really sends the Friends album off into some really interesting/unexpected territory while still feeling completely at home on that album!

Yeah, Side B of Friends has a cool vibe/atmosphere, one of the most eclectic sides of any Beach Boys' album.

Indeed!

[Sheriff John Stone]

speaking of ding dang, I was thinking how it should have ended the Love You album...no tracklisting for it, just have it as a hidden track after Love is a Woman, it would give that Brian Wilson 'charm' that we all love and know.

You're a genius! Exactly. Fade out Side A with "Honkin' Down The Highway", and use "Ding Dang" to close the album. The optimism/pessimism of "Love Is A Woman"/"Ding Dang". Brilliant suggestion. I love it!

[Foster's Freeze]

I always thought "Noble Surfer" and "Lana" were catchy tunes as well.

[Wall of (Pet) Sound(s)]

Hawaii
Don't Back Down
Good to My Baby
When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)
*Amusement Parks USA
Let Him Run Wild
You're So Good to Me
With Me Tonight
Gettin Hungry
How She Boogalooed It
Passing By
Little Bird
Diamond Head
Be Still
At My Window
Long Promised Road



A few notes:

- Amusement Parks USA gets an asterisk because of the awful carnival sounds added. Without those, it's wonderful.
- One can't really say that any part of Pet sounds is underrated, but I think Here Today and I'm Waiting for the Day are two of the more overlooked gems on that record.
- Side 2 of Friends might be the most underrated single side in their catalog. I actually don't much care for Side 1, except for Passing By and Meant For You.
- I strongly prefer the era up to and including Surf's Up, so those are the only ones I included in my list.
- I'm looking at this list now and wondering why these tracks aren't held in the same regard as many of the initially lesser-known Beatles deep cuts that are now considered classics. Nothing against the Beatles, of course.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

One from (almost) each album, i'd love to see any of these included on future Beach Boys compilations:

Noble Surfer
No-Go Showboat
At The Parkin' Lot
We'll Run Away
The Man With All The Toys
She Knows Me Too Well
The Girl From New York City
She's Goin' Bald
Country Air
Be Here In The Mornin'
Never Learn Not To Learn (forget the Manson aspect - this is an incredible production by Dennis)
Celebrate The News
Lady
Slip On Through
Lookin' At Tomorrow
Cuddle Up
Steamboat
Johnny Carson
Angel Come Home
Livin' With A Heartache
Where I Belong

[I. Spaceman]

Sweet Mountain.

[MBE]

Sharon Marie's stuff is great. Her "Summertime" blows Brian's solo version away.

[Sie W]

One of my favourite underrated songs is American Spring "It's Like Heaven" is one I song always hear the boys on in my head , and the Moog riff from bout 1:30 in sounds like it ended up on "Let Us Go On This Way"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=othG9M3ieVc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I'm a sucker for "Cool Head, Warm Heart", the Carl like "don't get stressed out" and the harmonies on tag towards then end are nice, don't know of that track gets much love around here.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Here She Comes.

[BillA]

The "Live in London" versions of "Wake the World" and "Aren't You Glad" (A random thought  - imagine "Wild Honey" backed by Booker T & the MG's with the Memphis Horns!)

The "In Concert" versions of "Marcella" and "Funky Pretty" - They just rock more than the studio versions.  I love the drumming in FP.

"Had to Phone Ya" - Despite this being the unveiling of Brian's new voice this is a great little song.

"I'll Bet He's Nice" - Love the tag.

[Myk Luhv]

It's probably been mentioned before but not nearly enough: "Tonight You Belong To Me" by The Honeys. I absolutely love Brian's arrangement and production!

[EthanJClarke93]

Let The Wind Blow
Do It Again
It's About Time
Slip on Through
Disney Girls
A Day in the Life With Trees
Til I Die
Student Demonstration Time
Leaving This Town

[Ziggy Stardust]

I don't really see how Disney Girls is underrated.

[Sheriff John Stone]

'In The Parkin' Lot' - not surprising it gets ignored really, with Dont worry baby and Warmth of the Sun surrounding it, but this is a sublime early BB song: fantastic intro (and outro), a great vocal from Mike, and as for those chord changes on the chorus - woah momma!

Good one! It is overshadowed, but an essential part of Brian's "School Suite".

1. "All Dressed Up For School"
2. "In The Parkin' Lot"
3. "Dance, Dance, Dance"
4. "Be True To Your School"
5. "Graduation Day"

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I don't really see how Disney Girls is underrated.

Nor are Do It Again or Til I Die. They're both quite reguarly celebrated as being awesome, by hardcore fans, casual fans and critics.

[Ziggy Stardust]

Plus Disney Girls has been played live for a while now, right (and Do It Again did very well in the charts back then, i believe so).

[phirnis]

It's probably been mentioned before but not nearly enough: "Tonight You Belong To Me" by The Honeys. I absolutely love Brian's arrangement and production!

Just reading this makes me want to dig out the Pet Projects comp! Very 60s and incredibly charming arrangement!

[Gertie J.]

I might be in minority of those who like Blondie and Ricky stuff. Special honor goes for Here She Comes. Also I always had a soft spot for Casual Look and Blueberry Hill. Regarding solo, the one I think is truly underrated is Night Time. Catchiness at the best possible way!