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Post by Kapitan on Nov 9, 2023 20:42:33 GMT
Some groups--especially those dating back to the 60s--had a lot of great non-album singles. The Beatles come to mind first and foremost as a group with eventual compilations of these albums (the Past Masters albums) probably better than many bands' greatest hits albums.
The Beach Boys didn't quite live up to that level, nor did they have as many non-album singles. But they had some good ones (and some stinkers).
What are your favorite non-album singles, either by the Beach Boys or by any individuals from the group? (I was going to do a poll, but got mired down in deciding whether to include things that were on albums that weren't Beach Boys albums, such as soundtracks, and with the choice whether to try to be exhaustive or just list the biggest ones. So, as you see, I chose against a poll.)
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Post by jk on Nov 9, 2023 21:06:27 GMT
Some groups--especially those dating back to the 60s--had a lot of great non-album singles. The Beatles come to mind first and foremost as a group with eventual compilations of these albums (the Past Masters albums) probably better than many bands' greatest hits albums. The Beach Boys didn't quite live up to that level, nor did they have as many non-album singles. But they had some good ones (and some stinkers). What are your favorite non-album singles, either by the Beach Boys or by any individuals from the group? (I was going to do a poll, but got mired down in deciding whether to include things that were on albums that weren't Beach Boys albums, such as soundtracks, and with the choice whether to try to be exhaustive or just list the biggest ones. So, as you see, I chose against a poll.)Yes, polls can be the most slippery of animals! Well, there are bound to be more but these come immediately to mind: "The Little Girl I Once Knew", "Good Vibrations" and "Break Away". Whatever else falls into the non-album singles category surely could never rise to the giddy heights of these three masterpieces.
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Post by lonelysummer on Nov 10, 2023 3:30:41 GMT
Some groups--especially those dating back to the 60s--had a lot of great non-album singles. The Beatles come to mind first and foremost as a group with eventual compilations of these albums (the Past Masters albums) probably better than many bands' greatest hits albums. The Beach Boys didn't quite live up to that level, nor did they have as many non-album singles. But they had some good ones (and some stinkers). What are your favorite non-album singles, either by the Beach Boys or by any individuals from the group? (I was going to do a poll, but got mired down in deciding whether to include things that were on albums that weren't Beach Boys albums, such as soundtracks, and with the choice whether to try to be exhaustive or just list the biggest ones. So, as you see, I chose against a poll.) You lose me in the first paragraph, because I was raised on the Capitol albums, and they ALWAYS included the singles. The few singles that didn't make it to albums eventually got collected on the Hey Jude album in 1970 - one of the first Beatles albums I ever heard. Non-album singles by the Beach Boys? The Little Girl I Once Knew eventually was included on some comps, but I guess that would be my first pick; or the single version of Cottonfields. Child of Winter.
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Emdeeh
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 520
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Post by Emdeeh on Nov 10, 2023 3:40:48 GMT
Celebrate the News
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Post by jk on Nov 10, 2023 8:08:48 GMT
Non-album singles by the Beach Boys? The Little Girl I Once Knew eventually was included on some comps, but I guess that would be my first pick; or the single version of Cottonfields. Child of Winter. I should imagine Cap'n means everything that wasn't lifted from an album. That would include "Good Vibrations" and "H&V". As for single versions, I assume "Be True To Your School" would be acceptable but not "Barbara Ann".
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Post by kds on Nov 10, 2023 11:58:27 GMT
I'd say the more Christmasey single version of Little Saint Nick qualifies.
In the later years, I really enjoy their cover of California Dreamin'. Also, currently servicing a sentence in music limbo, I think Problem Child is decent.
Speaking of covers, I think Brian's cover of Wanderlust from the Art of McCartney tribute is pretty good.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2023 12:26:46 GMT
Non-album singles by the Beach Boys? The Little Girl I Once Knew eventually was included on some comps, but I guess that would be my first pick; or the single version of Cottonfields. Child of Winter. I should imagine Cap'n means everything that wasn't lifted from an album. That would include "Good Vibrations" and "H&V". As for single versions, I assume "Be True To Your School" would be acceptable but not "Barbara Ann". In my mind, it meant things not included on studio albums, but ending up on comps later wouldn't disqualify them. So for me, neither "Good Vibrations" nor "Heroes and Villains" would be eligible in my mind, but "Little Girl I Once Knew" would. And I personally was not sure about single-mix versions that varied from album versions, but that's part of why I didn't end up doing a poll or making a list: people can decide for themselves. "Break Away" would be one of my very top choices.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 10, 2023 12:45:52 GMT
I'd like to ask Kapitan to indulge me and allow some artistic or literary license (or whatever the term is). I don't think this is exactly what he's looking for, but it's food for thought and kinda keeps with the topic.
I always considered "Good Vibrations" to be a single. It coulda or probably woulda ended up on SMiLE, but obviously that never happened, and I think it was simply thrown onto Smiley Smile for commercial reasons. I do wish or even think it could've been - with a couple of sessions - finished and put on Pet Sounds. Not only did "Good Vibrations" start out with Tony Asher lyrics, but I also think the music would've fit the sound on Pet Sounds. Every time I think of this possibility (and some/many think it was not even possible), it frustrates me as I believe Pet Sounds would've then easily been considered the greatest pop/rock/whatever album of all time. Yes, to many it still is, but consider this alternative:
Pet Sounds
Side 1 - Young Love
1. Good Vibrations 2. Here Today 3. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) 4. Wouldn't It Be Nice 5. Let's Go Away For Awhile 6. God Only Knows
The other song that I consider with this topic is "Can't Wait Too Long". If it isn't/wasn't the best unreleased Beach Boys' track, it's in the Top 5. And, the frustrating part of its non-release (assuming Brian could've finished it), is that it could've fit on a number of albums - Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20, even Surf's Up - and it would've made a significant impact. I think it would've been an album highlight. At the very least it would've been a showcase for Brian Wilson's talent, dare I say genius.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2023 12:52:04 GMT
I'd like to ask Kapitan to indulge me and allow some artistic or literary license (or whatever the term is). I don't think this is exactly what he's looking for, but it's food for thought and kinda keeps with the topic. LOL, while I definitely am not the Thread Police and indeed did say everyone can interpret however s/he'd like, every single song on your list was on an album. So it's kind of the opposite of my intentions with the thread! And I'm just FURIOUS! (I am not remotely furious. Glad to see the activity.)
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2023 13:34:35 GMT
I always considered "Good Vibrations" to be a single. It coulda or probably woulda ended up on SMiLE, but obviously that never happened, and I think it was simply thrown onto Smiley Smile for commercial reasons. I do wish or even think it could've been - with a couple of sessions - finished and put on Pet Sounds. Not only did "Good Vibrations" start out with Tony Asher lyrics, but I also think the music would've fit the sound on Pet Sounds.
I'm both with and against you on the proposition. I, too, think of GV primarily as a single more than I do as a part of Smile or of Smiley Smile ... or of Pet Sounds. While I do think some of the musical segments sound at home on Pet Sounds, the hard edits between sections strike me as a jarring interruption when compared to the rest of the album's music. That is my primary hesitation for including it there. That said, it is hard not to acknowledge that adding one of the greatest singles in the history of music wouldn't have bolstered an album that's already arguably the greatest album in history. But boy-oh-boy would Smiley Smile have suffered! As somebody who is already not that big a fan of that one, I hate to think of the results of that omission. I suppose it depends on what else they'd have included to take up the space. Add "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up" and you'd be talking!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 10, 2023 14:21:32 GMT
I always considered "Good Vibrations" to be a single. It coulda or probably woulda ended up on SMiLE, but obviously that never happened, and I think it was simply thrown onto Smiley Smile for commercial reasons. I do wish or even think it could've been - with a couple of sessions - finished and put on Pet Sounds. Not only did "Good Vibrations" start out with Tony Asher lyrics, but I also think the music would've fit the sound on Pet Sounds.
I'm both with and against you on the proposition. I, too, think of GV primarily as a single more than I do as a part of Smile or of Smiley Smile ... or of Pet Sounds. While I do think some of the musical segments sound at home on Pet Sounds, the hard edits between sections strike me as a jarring interruption when compared to the rest of the album's music. That is my primary hesitation for including it there. That said, it is hard not to acknowledge that adding one of the greatest singles in the history of music wouldn't have bolstered an album that's already arguably the greatest album in history. But boy-oh-boy would Smiley Smile have suffered! As somebody who is already not that big a fan of that one, I hate to think of the results of that omission. I suppose it depends on what else they'd have included to take up the space. Add "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up" and you'd be talking! And, I think it depends on the listener, obviously. Sure, "Good Vibrations" is such a great song, how could it not be an asset and improve any album it is included on. But, knowing the backstory of "Good Vibrations" and how it relates to Pet Sounds (a little), SMiLE (a lot), and Smiley Smile (ultimately), it just doesn't feel right on Smiley Smile. And, it's not just the music aspect which has nothing to do with Smiley Smile, but it's also the vibe which makes it stick out, too. I think it's fair to say both "Good Vibrations" and Smiley Smile have a vibe and they're...different.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2023 14:45:12 GMT
I agree, in that "Good Vibrations" is just too polished, too (frankly) good for Smiley Smile. So much of that album is so loose, so rough, so drugged out. Yes, GV and the album are both psychedelic in some sense, but GV is very exacting, produced very precisely. It's an odd fit beside the likes of "Gettin Hungry" or the SS versions of "Wonderful" and "Wind Chimes," for example.
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Post by kds on Nov 10, 2023 17:38:01 GMT
I've said this before, but I really like Let's Go to Heaven in My Car. I think with the right push, and perhaps an attachment to a better movie, it might've been a minor hit.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 10, 2023 18:03:09 GMT
I've said this before, but I really like Let's Go to Heaven in My Car. I think with the right push, and perhaps an attachment to a better movie, it might've been a minor hit. I think "Let's Go To Heaven In My Car" would've been a welcome addition to Brian Wilson (1988). There are a handful of songs on that album - "Love And Mercy", "There's So Many", "Meet Me In My Dreams Tonight", "Let It Shine", and "Nighttime" - that you could've tied "Let's Go To Heaven In My Car" into lyrically and thematically. It would've required a re-recording by Russ Titelman, but I think it would've been worth it. That was more of the kind of music the fans - Brian's or otherwise - were expecting.
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Post by Kapitan on Nov 10, 2023 18:12:17 GMT
I think Brian had several pretty good ones in his "modern" solo career, which I consider roughly from Imagination onwards.
Some of the Christmas songs, especially "On Christmas Day," were good.
"What Love Can Do," the Bacharach collaboration, is in my opinion one of his stronger songs from that era.
And his cover of Carl's "Heaven," while not top-notch, was pretty good and somewhat touching.
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