Post by Kapitan on Feb 2, 2024 16:50:47 GMT
Play-In Matchup #4: Good Timin’ v God Only Knows
This is the final “play-in” matchup to complete our 16-song tournament bracket, featuring the songs that finished 13th and 20th, respectively, in our preliminary nomination process.
13) “Good Timin’” was written by Brian and Carl Wilson and produced by Bruce Johnston, James William Guercio, and the Beach Boys. It was first released in March 1979 as part of the album L.A. (Light Album), and then about a month later as a single (backed by “Love Surrounds Me”). The song had its origins in the 1974 Caribou sessions and, according to Carl, was to be included in their “next album,” which became 15 Big Ones. It was, of course, not on that album.
It was revived several years later, completed largely by Johnston and Carl overdubbing. Bruce told Ken Sharp in a 2013 interview for Rock Cellar, “I’m not putting Al down or Mike, but the real soldier who stuck with me the whole time was Carl. The two [of] us sang the verses on “Good Timin’,” the two of us sang the four vocal parts.”
“Good Timin’” was a modest hit, peaking at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. (It did reach #12 on their Adult Contemporary charts, and #13 in Cash Box.)
20) “God Only Knows” has become one of the Beach Boys’ best known and most beloved songs, but it was not a hit in its time. It was released in May 1966 as a part of Pet Sounds, and then was the B-side of the much more successful classic “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” But while the A-side hit #8, the B-side reached only #39. (It was a #2 hit in the UK.)
Co-written by Brian Wilson with lyricist Tony Asher, the song is considered memorable for an assortment of reasons: its unusual harmonic structure as it implies various keys without settling on any; its mention of the word “God” in the title and lyrics; its use of sleigh bells; and its soaring, circular vocals in the coda.
The song has been covered innumerable times by a wide variety of artists, and was a #20 hit in the UK in 2014 with a BBC-driven, all-star single version for charity.
Please comment on which of these two Beach Boys classics was most worthy of being a Top 25 hit upon its release, and be sure to vote in the poll. It will be live through the weekend, closing at midnight on Monday, Feb. 5.
This is the final “play-in” matchup to complete our 16-song tournament bracket, featuring the songs that finished 13th and 20th, respectively, in our preliminary nomination process.
13) “Good Timin’” was written by Brian and Carl Wilson and produced by Bruce Johnston, James William Guercio, and the Beach Boys. It was first released in March 1979 as part of the album L.A. (Light Album), and then about a month later as a single (backed by “Love Surrounds Me”). The song had its origins in the 1974 Caribou sessions and, according to Carl, was to be included in their “next album,” which became 15 Big Ones. It was, of course, not on that album.
It was revived several years later, completed largely by Johnston and Carl overdubbing. Bruce told Ken Sharp in a 2013 interview for Rock Cellar, “I’m not putting Al down or Mike, but the real soldier who stuck with me the whole time was Carl. The two [of] us sang the verses on “Good Timin’,” the two of us sang the four vocal parts.”
“Good Timin’” was a modest hit, peaking at #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. (It did reach #12 on their Adult Contemporary charts, and #13 in Cash Box.)
20) “God Only Knows” has become one of the Beach Boys’ best known and most beloved songs, but it was not a hit in its time. It was released in May 1966 as a part of Pet Sounds, and then was the B-side of the much more successful classic “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” But while the A-side hit #8, the B-side reached only #39. (It was a #2 hit in the UK.)
Co-written by Brian Wilson with lyricist Tony Asher, the song is considered memorable for an assortment of reasons: its unusual harmonic structure as it implies various keys without settling on any; its mention of the word “God” in the title and lyrics; its use of sleigh bells; and its soaring, circular vocals in the coda.
The song has been covered innumerable times by a wide variety of artists, and was a #20 hit in the UK in 2014 with a BBC-driven, all-star single version for charity.
Please comment on which of these two Beach Boys classics was most worthy of being a Top 25 hit upon its release, and be sure to vote in the poll. It will be live through the weekend, closing at midnight on Monday, Feb. 5.