The Worst Beach Boys Cover

[Rerun]

As much as I love them, the Beach Boys' music is ripe for horrendous, corny covers.  In the spirit of the American Idol finale tonight, I present to you my nominee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAf4xBRawVU

[Ganz Allein]

As much as I love them, the Beach Boys' music is ripe for horrendous, corny covers.  In the spirit of the American Idol finale tonight, I present to you my nominee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAf4xBRawVU

Not only is that bad, but it's a case of I-don't-care-what-I'm-singing-but-I'm-tryin'-my-best-to-look-badass. Bleh!

[Shady]

I see your AI video and raise you The Hoff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeGKV0yEyA

[Shane]

Sounds like the Hoff can triple-track himself spontaneously...

[bossaroo]

i thought you meant the worst cover performed BY the Beach Boys... in which case I'd probably go with "Rock'n'Roll Music" though there are plenty to choose from. I've never been a fan of "I Can Hear Music" and "Never Learn Not To Love" certainly qualifies. Mike singing "Be My Baby" has a special place in hell too.


as for others covering the Beach Boys...
probably this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKYhDxeAEfQ

[mikeyj]

i thought you meant the worst cover performed BY the Beach Boys... in which case I'd probably go with "Rock'n'Roll Music" though there are plenty to choose from. I've never been a fan of "I Can Hear Music" and "Never Learn Not To Love" certainly qualifies. Mike singing "Be My Baby" has a special place in hell too.

Really? I LOVE I Can Hear Music - and there are plenty of covers they did that weren't as good. How about "School Days", "A Casual Look", "Louie, Louie", "In the Still of the Night" and I could probably name at least a dozen others that aren't as good as "I Can Hear Music"! And I actually quite like Never Learn Not To Love - I mean as a song it isn't the best but production wise I think it's pretty cool!

Anyway, I have to agree that that American Idol performance was pretty woeful. I mean of course it is slightly better than say the Surfsiders - but the difference is that these people on Idol actually think they're really good!

[Eric Aniversario]

After re-watching that 5-year old AI performance, I take back every time I said that they should have a Beach Boys themed night...please don't!

I couldn't even watch that Hoff video halfway through.

My vote for the worst cover is the version of Darlin' that is on the Smiles Vibes and Harmony tribute disc.  Can't remember who did it, but it almost ruined one of my favorite BB songs of all time for me.  I had to promise myself to never listen to it again, lest I destroy the way I remember it.

[Pretty Funky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcC5Ztwmir4

A double! Gag inducing video as well.

[Paulos]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcC5Ztwmir4

A double! Gag inducing video as well.

I thought the gospel choir on the middle eight was awesome! The rest, meh although I have to admit I want proper recording of it, for competists sake.

[Pretty Funky]

ok!

A Mike and Bruce Show version do it for ya?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkW8fIrJmb0

[Synth Wash]

No YouTube video for this, but Kevin Max's "Help Me Rhonda" is unlistenable. And that's from my favorite BB cover album ever, Making God Smile.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

No YouTube video for this, but Kevin Max's "Help Me Rhonda" is unlistenable. And that's from my favorite BB cover album ever, Making God Smile.

Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. Also Ricky Martin on the PBS special was terrible. The thing I hate the most, is when somebody points me to the direction of say Idol, and says that I will like it because I am a BB fan. No! Because I am a true BB fan, I hate half assed covers. If they are inspired, like most of the stuff on the PBS special, then it is fine.

[runnersdialzero]

As much as I love them, the Beach Boys' music is ripe for horrendous, corny covers.  In the spirit of the American Idol finale tonight, I present to you my nominee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAf4xBRawVU

Jesus f***, that was absolutely horrendous and offensive.

[brother john]

I see your AI video and raise you The Hoff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeGKV0yEyA

Jeez, how much face work has he had??!!?? his eyes look really tiny and weird.

[The Shift]

The AI has to be the outright winner of the YouTubes – at least Ricci M and The Hoff are mostly in-tune; if only their egos could be voted off ... the AI contestants couldn't sing their way out of a paper bag and represent everything that's wrong about talent contests (the arrangements suck too...) though some of them sound better than Stamos!

[A Million Units In Jan!]

How about Mr. Moon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f29jcB1bZLI

[drbeachboy]

What is the big friggin' issue with Stamos all of the time? He sang one song on a Beach Boys album. I've heard way worse covers than that one. Johnny Rivers' "Help Me Rhonda" comes to mind, and that was released on a 45 and actually played on radio stations. Neil Diamond's version of "God Only Knows" is another that is no better or worse than the Stamos version of "Forever". How about David Cassidy's version of "Darlin'" or his brother Shaun's version of "It's Like Heaven"? This knocking Stamos stuff is really getting old. I'm really beginning to think it is "Stamos Envy". An actual Beach Boys fanatic, like all of us, who actually got to do what only we can/could ever dream of doing; recording and playing on stage with The Beach Boys. Come on guys, pick on someone your own size. ;-)

[the captain]

As a longtime Stamos-backer, I applaud this post. Sure, Full House was fucktarded. But is that a reason to hate the guy? You're aware it was a job, right? That Uncle Jesse is a character? If you're going to hate someone from those days, hate Dave Coulier. I know I do. f*** you, Dave Coulier.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

My kids LOVE Full House. Then again, they are only 8 and 5. It's right down their alley. And funnily enough, yesterday was the wedding episode where he sang 'Forever'.

[the captain]

And funnily enough, yesterday was the wedding episode where he sang 'Forever'.

Didn't they work that song into pretty much every episode, one way or another? That's how I remember it.

[A Million Units In Jan!]

And funnily enough, yesterday was the wedding episode where he sang 'Forever'.

Didn't they work that song into pretty much every episode, one way or another? That's how I remember it.

I don't know, as I try not to watch too many episodes. Although to be honest, with the sh*t that's out there for kids to watch, I'd rather let them watch Full House as much as they want.

[Pretty Funky]

I think the issue with Stamos is why that song? The BBs had any number of bad songs that anyone with real musical talent could try to improve on.

Same for Keith Moon, the Hoff, Glen Campbell's 'GOK's'. All ripe for the picking.

If Stamos wants cred from most BB fans...re-record MIU!

[adamghost]

One of my favorite pieces of writing of all time is Andrew Doe's two sentence review of "(Remember) Walking In The Sand" from SIP:

"One of the worst cover versions of anything, by anybody, anywhere, at any time.  There is absolutely nothing about this track to commend."

Yup.

[Pretty Funky]

Another point. Stamos sings in the same vocal style as Dennis did. I wouldn't have had a problem with him doing 'Holy Man' if Taylor Hawkins hadn't got the gig first.

[tpesky]

Another point. Stamos sings in the same vocal style as Dennis did. I wouldn't have had a problem with him doing 'Holy Man' if Taylor Hawkins hadn't got the gig first.

I can't give Stamos that much credit personally, the passion and heart when Dennis gave an all out performance is something Stamos can't match style with.