In late 1964 Brian Wilson had stopped touring with the Beach
Boys. Capitol Records released two best
of albums, ENDLESS SUMMER (1974) and SPIRIT OF AMERICA (1975) that contributed
to the Beach Boys being a hit on the road, even without Brian. In 1975 Brian came under the care of Dr.
Eugene Landy, a psychiatrist who encouraged him to exercise, detox, and write
songs. Brian was getting better but had
mixed feelings about working with the Boys again. He did however, and the result was 15 BIG
ONES released in July of 1976 on Brother Records/Reprise. This 20th studio album for the
group was mainly recorded at the group’s Brother Studio in Santa Monica and
produced by Brian. The cover photo was
of the five group members, each in an Olympic ring. In August NBC aired ‘The Beach Boys 15th
Anniversary Special’. Brian Wilson
started touring with the Boys again in the Fall of 1976.
A cover of Chuck Berry’s ‘Rock and Roll Music’ starts the
album off, with Mike Love on lead vocals.
This, the album’s first single, hit #5 in August, becoming their first
Top Ten single since ‘Good Vibrations’ ten years prior. The song begins with these feel good lyrics:
“Just let me hear some of that rock and roll music/Any old way you choose
it/It’s got a backbeat, you can’t lose it/Any old time you use it/It’s gotta be
rock and roll music/If you wanna dance with me (2X)”. Brian Wilson and Mike Love wrote ‘It’s
OK’. It includes a horn section of Roy
Wood and Wizzard and has a classic Beach Boys rock and roll sound to it. These lyrics aren’t too deep: “It’s OK to get
out there and have some fun/By yourself maybe or else with a special one/Good
or bad/Glad or sad/It’s all gonna pass/So it’s OK/Let’s all play and enjoy it
while it lasts”. ‘Had to Phone Ya’ was
originally recorded by Spring, a duo of Brian’s wife Marilyn Wilson and her sister
Diane Rovell. It is a light pop love
song: “Had to phone ya/Had to phone ya just to talk to you/Had to phone ya just
to tell ya I was missing you.../A-when I phone ya/California’s not so far
away/You’re not alone/Ya know I’m only just a dial away/I visualize that you’re
looking fine/Feels so good when you come on the line”.
Next up is a cover of ‘Chapel of Love’, which is
lacking. The Dixie Cups made it popular
in 1964. It has idealistic lyrics:
“Bells will ring, the sun will shine/I’ll be hers and she’ll be mine/We’ll love
until the end of time/And we’ll never be lonely anymore/Because we’re going to
the chapel and we’re gonna get married/Going to the chapel/And we’re gonna get
married”. Mike Love wrote ‘Everyone’s in
Love with You’ which praises transcendental meditation guru Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi. One of the backing vocalists is
Toni Tennille. Harpsichord and flute are
used on this peaceful song: “Everyone’s in love with you/Though most just
barely glimpse a part of you/They all can see your love shine through/It comes
from deep within the heart of you/So many people have had their love
affairs/Had their loves to share like mine/Now I tell you people/I witnessed
something new/A love that could only be divine”. ‘Talk to Me’ is a song of requests: “Talk to
me, talk to me/I love the things you say/Talk to me, talk to me/In your own
sweet, gentle way/Let me hear/Tell me dear/Tell me, ooh/You love me so”.
‘That Same Song’ is an adult pop song penned by Brian Wilson
and Mike Love. It makes use of accordion
and violins. Marilyn Wilson is one of
the backing vocalists. It offers a music
history lesson: “Well back in time with just a rhythm and a rhyme/Gregorian
chants were a real big thing/They took that chant and added harmony/It was a
different sound, but had the same meaning.../The rock of ages built that
rockin’ sound/’Til more and more people start to come around/They worshipped in
church/And built that great big choir/It grew and it grew/Until it spread like
fire”. Alan Jardine performs the lead vocal
on the shortest song on the album, ‘TM Song’.
It is about transcendental meditation: “Whew, it’s time for me to
meditate/What time is it?/How long has it been?/Bubbles and ripples floatin’
thru my mind/I must have drifted away/Since I sat down/Where have I been?/The
mantra, my mantra, must have took me away/It must have took me away”. ‘Palisades Park’ was written by Chuck Barris
of ‘The Gong Show’ fame. It has an old
time rock and roll influence. Carl
Wilson takes the lead and Hal Blaine plays drums. It is a song of recollection: “We ate and ate
at a hot dog stand/We danced around to a rockin’ band/And when we quit I gave
that girl a hug/In the tunnel of love/You never know how great a kiss can
be/Until you stop at the bottom of a ferris wheel/In the tunnel of love down at
Palisades Park”.
Alan Jardine wrote ‘Susie Cincinnati’. Bruce Johnston is a backing vocalist, Brian
Wilson plays harmonica, and Darryl Dragon is responsible for the clavinet. The song is a tribute to a female taxi
driver. It begins with these words:
“Well, Susie Cincinnati/Got a groovy little motor car/She lives for the
night/And her husband’s a security guard/Her looks aren’t exactly a plus/But it
doesn’t matter to us/Because she knows where it’s at/And she gets you there in
seconds flat”. Ed Wells wrote ‘A Casual
Look’. It has a doo-wop groove to it and
will appeal to folks in, or about to enter, the military: “Oh darling can’t you
see/That I’m goin’ overseas/For 2, 3, 4 years/Don’t know how long it will be/So
hear, hear my plea/And come marry, marry me/Before it’s too late/And so with a
smile/We walked down the aisle/She in her wedding dress/A vision of
happiness”. A great cover of ‘Blueberry
Hill’ follows. Fats Domino recorded the
song in the 1950’s. The Beach Boys’ version
uses chimes, bells, and accordion. Also,
Bruce Johnston plays piano. It is a song
that deals with lost love: “I found my thrill/On Blueberry Hill (2X)/When I
found you/The moon stood still/On Blueberry Hill/It lingered until/My dream
came true/Though we’re apart/I think of you still/For you were my thrill on
Blueberry Hill”.
Dennis Diken feels the next song is the most significant
track on 15 BIG ONES. Of ‘Back Home’ he
writes: “There are no auxiliary band members, session players, or extra singers
performing on this one. It’s pure Brian,
Mike, Carl, Denny, and Al going for it like they did in 1964.” Brian sings lead and Carl plays the harp on
this pretty good rock and roll song. The
lyrics are full of anticipation: “Yeah, yeah, yeah/Well, I’m going back this
summer to Ohio/I’m gonna seek out all my friends I’ve always known/I’m goin’
back to that farm that I remember/Well, I’m goin’ to spend this summer back
home”. Dennis Wilson sings lead on ‘In
the Still of the Night’. It is a
romantic doo-wop ballad: “In the still of the night/I held you/Held you
tight/’Cause I/Really love you/Promise I’ll never/Let you go/In the still of
the night”. Closing off the album is the
longest song, a cover of the Righteous Brothers’ ‘Just Once in My Life’. Ricky Fataar contributes percussion.
15 BIG ONES is somewhat of a deceiving title, as this is
definitely not a stellar album with the Beach Boys at their best. Some of the cover songs here are pretty
decent and others aren’t that memorable.
The original songs aren’t as experimental as those found on SUNFLOWER or
SURF’S UP, but are okay. The group’s
signature harmonies are present and shades of the old rock and roll sound that
made the Boys famous can be found on some tracks. I’m rating 15 BIG ONES 80%. For more info visit: www.thebeachboys.com.
The next year, in April 1977, the Beach Boys released their
21st studio album entitled THE BEACH BOYS LOVE YOU (Brother
Records/Reprise). It was produced by
Brian Wilson. The album design is by
Dean O. Torrence. Of the album, Peter
Buck writes: “The spontaneous nature of the recordings is clearly audible. Vocals go flat, instrumental mistakes are made,
audible interjections from the backup singers flat lead vocals, Brian’s new
hoarse voice is to the fore and the whole thing is sounding like nothing so
much as an incredibly spirited demo session for a Brian Wilson solo record.” Originally this was meant to be a solo album
called BRIAN LOVES YOU or BRIAN’S IN LOVE.
The songs were written while Brian was getting help for his drug and
mental health problems.
The first song up is ‘Let us go
on this Way’. It is an experimental pop
song penned by Brian and Mike Love. It
uses lyrics that rhyme: “To get t’you baby, I went thru the wringer/Ain’t gonna
let you slip through my fingers/Going to school isn’t my fondest desire/But
sittin’ in class you set my soul on fire/God, please let us go on this way/All
day long I practiced what to say-ay/I think about this game that I like to
play-ay/When I leave you I’m so depressed/Cause you’re my only happiness/God,
please let us go on this way”. ‘Roller
Skating Child’ is one of eleven songs here penned solely by Brian. It has a party pop sound to it and is a song
of passion: “Well, she’s a roller skating child/With a ribbon in her hair/She
gets my heart to beating/When I see her there/You know my heart starts smiling
when she sings/She’s such an angel, I bet she’s got wings/And we’ll make sweet
lovin’ when the sun goes down/We’ll even do more when your mama’s not
around/Well, oh my, oh gosh, oh gee/She really sends chills inside of me”.
Dennis Wilson and brother Brian
take the lead on ‘Mona’. It finds a guy
actively pursuing a gal: “Come on/Listen to ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’ now/Listen to it
‘Be My Baby’/I know you’re gonna love Phil Spector/Mona/Come-a-come-a-come-a
come to me/Gimme gimme gimme some lovin’/Tell me, tell me, tell me you want
it”. ‘Johnny Carson’ is a lighthearted
pop song that praises the famous late night host and his sidekick: “He sits behind
his microphone/Johnny Carson/He speaks in such a manly tone/Johnny Carson/Ed
McMahon comes on and says ‘Here’s Johnny!’/Every night at 11:30 he’s so
funny/’It’s nice to have you on the show tonight/I’ve seen your act in
Vegas/Out of sight’.”
‘Good Time’ was recorded first
circa 1970. It takes a casual attitude
towards relationships: “My girlfriend Betty, she’s always ready/To help me in
any way/She’ll do my cookin’/She’s always lookin’ for ways she can make my
day.../Maybe it won’t last, but what do we care?/My baby and I just want a good
time/Might go up in smoke now, but what do we care?/My baby and I just want a
good time”. Al Jardine sings lead vocals
on ‘Honkin’ Down The Highway’. This
bouncy pop number gets inside a guy’s head: “Prayin’ prayin’ that she’ll hold
me tight (hoo!)/And hopin’ hopin’ that she’ll see the light/Who cares if I
gotta spend my money/Even if I have to act funny/To go and steal her heart
away/(Honk, honk, honkin’ down the highway)/Take it one little inch at a time
now/’Til we’re feelin’ fine now/I guess I’ve got a way with girls”.
‘Ding Dang’ was composed by Brian
Wilson and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds.
It is thought to have been recorded circa 1973. This short ditty has quite simplistic lyrics:
“Ding (ding) dang (woo!)/Ding and a ding dong/Ding (ding) dang (woo!)/Ding and
a ding dong/I love a girl, I love her so madly/I treat her so fine, but she
treats me so badly”. Brian Wilson sings
lead on the ballad ‘Solar System’. It
strikes an astrological note: “The constellations are stars that form
animals/Leo and Capricorn too/Star bright, star light/Make this wish come true
tonight/If Mars had life on it/I might find my wife on it/Venus the goddess of
love can thank all the stars above/Mercury’s close to the sun/You’ll see it when
day is done/Solar system/Brings us wisdom”.
‘The Night was so Young’ features the only guitar work on
the record. This easy listening ballad
includes these poetic words: “The sky’s turnin’ gray, there’s clouds
overhead/I’m still not asleep, I’m in my bed/I think of her eyes and it makes
me sigh/I think of her voice and it makes me cry/Is somebody gonna tell me why
she has to lie?/She’d be so right to hold me tonight/Love was made for her and
I”. ‘I’ll Bet He’s Nice’ uses
tambourine, handclaps, and synthesizers, but is a song of heartache: “I’ll bet
he’s nice, I’ll bet he’s twice as nice as me and it makes me cry/Cause I
remember you and I/Please don’t tell me if it’s true/Because I’m still in love
with you/Pretty darlin’, you my pretty darlin’.../I’ll bet he’s sweet/I’ll bet
he’s neat/I’ll bet he’s funny and that ain’t all/I’ll bet he shows you quite a
ball/Please don’t tell me if it’s true/Because I’m still in love with you”.
‘Let’s Put our Hearts Together’ is an interesting number
with Marilyn Wilson (Brian’s wife) singing with him a bit. It is an open conversation: “I’ve never had
someone, I need someone/To live with and be good to/Don’t worry ‘bout your past
loves/And if they never understood you/Let’s put our hearts together/And say
we’ll leave each other never/Let’s see what we can cook up between us/Together
(2X)/Together you and I”. Dennis Wilson
sings lead on ‘I Wanna Pick You Up’. It
is the soft pop song of a parent to a child: “I want to pick you up/Rock you
back and forth and make you smile/I want to hold you close for a while/I wanna
tickle your feet/Drop you in your little tub/Wash your body and shampoo your
hair/Be careful not to sting your eyes/When it’s night I’ll put you in your
bed/And I’ll bend and kiss ya on your head”.
Mike Love sings lead on ‘Airplane’, the song of a traveling
musician: “The sound of the engine fills my ears up/I’m hopin’ this rainy
weather clears up/My lover is waiting at the airport/Soon she’ll be kissing me
‘Hello’/The woman sitting next to me tells me ‘bout her guy/And I tell her all
about you and I/Airplane, airplane/Carry me back to her side/Airplane,
airplane/I need God as my guide/Down, down on the ground/Can’t wait to see her
face”. The last song is a soulful one with
Brian, Mike Love, and Al Jardine singing lead.
‘Love is a Woman’ offers advice to guys: “Love is a woman/So tell her
she smells good tonight/Love is a woman/So make her feel that way tonight/A
woman is love/And if you’re smart/You’ll tease her, please her tonight/So take
my advice, you just treat her nice/And you’ll find a woman in love”.
THE BEACH BOYS LOVE YOU is a lovely adult pop album that
makes good use of analog synthesizers.
Creativity and artistry are back at the fore on this record. It definitely keeps me interested. The lyrics convey emotion and it is good to
hear a variety of lead vocalists. My
only wish is that there were more upbeat tracks musically on this project. I’m rating THE BEACH BOYS LOVE YOU 88%. For more info visit: www.thebeachboys.com.