Songs that feel forced

[punkinhead]

I know it's just a matter of opinion, but I do love reading everyone's opinion , but I was wondering, over the years, the songs written or released or performed in concerts that seem forced, feel free to use the whole BB/BW catalog/career....I recall a lil while ago that AGD said he felt Mexican Girl (from TLOS) felt forced, and I was just wondering why and if anyone else feels this way about other tunes.


Just thinking off the top of my head, performing Hawaii on the Lei'd in Hawaii shows is kinda of forced/obligatory, even though it sounds fantastic...prolly why only one verse was sung.

[Steve Mayo]

most of the '80's concerts if you ask me.....

[punkinhead]

good call, lots of songs to choose from: Buzz Buzz, Lady Liberty, Merry Minute.

[Wirestone]

Oh Darlin from KTSA. Awkward attempt to reference God Only Knows in a far inferior song with underdeveloped melody and backing track.

Summer in Paradise. A rocking tune (especially live) that's all but strangled by the parade of cliches and song title references in the lyrics.

I'm So Lonely. Brian attempts to write a melancholy song but is really not feeling it that day. (Well, the bridge is decent.)

Make it Good. Sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Pretty much anything written by Jardine solo.

[TdHabib]

I'll venture one that always gets me, it's one of my favorite BB songs (obviously), but from the first time I heard it I hated part of the second verse to "Good Vibrations," the line "when I look in her eyes, she goes with me to a blossom world." It doesn't rhyme like the first does, but more importantly it always felt like a forced psychedelic lyric, something Mike couldn't really acheive. (Not that Tony's lyric is any better.) The rest of the song is great, obviously, but that line always felt really forced.

[James Hughes-Clarke]

California Calling..... How She Boogaloo'd It....and, although I like Slip On Through, it's still Dennis channelling 'Darlin'.

[Wirestone]

Boogaloo is spot on. Incredibly forced, and just an awful song all round.

TD -- I can't believe you feel that way about "blossom world." I always thought it was kind of awesome.

I'll go out on a limb and add Disney Girls, just because I never understood where Bruce found that extra syllable.

[Jonas]

WHAT? I love Dis-a-ney Girls!

[adamghost]

You know what?  This is a great question, because if I was fishing for one word to describe WHY so much of the Beach Boys' catalog post '70 fails to satisfy, "forced" would be a great word.  Because if you think about it, there's nothing really offensive about doing something that's retro and fun, if that's really what you are FEELING, but so many of the Beach Boys' stuff is so self-conscious  ('what do people want us to do?') that it kind of ruins any fun you might have with it.  "Summer In Paradise" and "Student Demonstration Time" are both great exhibits for this kind of thing, epitomizing the approach in two different eras.

Part of the reason, say, "It's OK" works is it sounds so effortless and natural.  It's just as dumb as, say, "Kona Coast" or "Summer Of Love" but it doesn't sound as contrived for some reason.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Most anything post 1965 that was trying to go back to the formula, starting with Do It Again. Some exceptions would be Sumahama, Keeping the Summer Alive and Kokamo.

That Same Song is one of the worst songs ever written. It can't be the same guy that wrote Pet Sounds.

All BB solo efforts except for POB and TLOS.

Help Me Rhonda sessions

[punkinhead]

most of the '80's concerts if you ask me.....

I would think things like that would feel forced because of the need for money

[Jay]

You really want to hear rushed? Listen to Brian's demo of Mona. Throughout the whole song, it's like his voice and fingers playing the piano are in a race to outdo each other.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Brian's Back, California Calling, most of KTSA and what follows...

[MBE]

California Calling sticks out.

[Sam_BFC]

Make It Good.....?

[punkinhead]

i understand Make it Good, it's like Denny has all this energy and what's to pour it into something, it's more of a great track than a song....it's more of just a thought....

it's a great warmup track for a solo career though......wonder why he didnt utilize Darryl Dragon during POB/Bambu?

[Wirestone]

I appreciate Make it Good; I love the orchestration. There's just not much of a song there. And Dennis tries so very hard, but there's little that's profound or meaningful in the song. Thus, forced. I'd contrast it with something like "Be With Me" or "River Song," both of which are huge productions but actually complement and support melodies and lyrics with some heft.

[Dave in KC]

Part of the reason, say, "It's OK" works is it sounds so effortless and natural.  It's just as dumb as, say, "Kona Coast" or "Summer Of Love" but it doesn't sound as contrived for some reason.


I never thought of It's OK as being dumb. At all! Ever!!

[oldsurferdude]

Part of the reason, say, "It's OK" works is it sounds so effortless and natural.  It's just as dumb as, say, "Kona Coast" or "Summer Of Love" but it doesn't sound as contrived for some reason.


I never thought of It's OK as being dumb. At all! Ever!!

It would be ok if the lovester wasn't singing lead. It's natural alright-sounds like a real lamb bleating,

[The Heartical Don]

Rock And Roll To The Rescue

Smart Girls

Concert Tonight

and, um... Rio Grande (despite brilliant sections... must be the main theme).

[The infamous Baldwin Organ]

Susie Cincinnati on 15 Big Ones feels forced to me. The single version with the lead guitar is superior, and it tries too hard to rock and comes up short. Not terrible, but forced in my opinion.

[The Heartical Don]

Susie Cincinnati on 15 Big Ones feels forced to me. The single version with the lead guitar is superior, and it tries too hard to rock and comes up short. Not terrible, but forced in my opinion.

I find the production of that one unbearable. It hurts on the headphones.

[The Shift]

Susie Cincinnati on 15 Big Ones feels forced to me. The single version with the lead guitar is superior, and it tries too hard to rock and comes up short. Not terrible, but forced in my opinion.

I find the production of that one unbearable. It hurts on the headphones.

How many versions/mixes exist of Susie? At times I've loved this but others I'd agree, yes, it feels forced.

[Foster's Freeze]

Rock And Roll To The Rescue

Smart Girls

Concert Tonight

and, um... Rio Grande (despite brilliant sections... must be the main theme).

I always thought R&RTTR was a good song live (right after they released it that is)

[Foster's Freeze]

How many versions/mixes exist of Susie? At times I've loved this but others I'd agree, yes, it feels forced.

I'm curious about this too.  As a side note, when they played it live it really smoked.