Adore this album. Brian wrote and produced the tracks entirely by himself. On the surface it's juvenile and random, but looking deeper reveals the most personal look we ever got into the mind of a childlike genius. Glad it was requested!
I appreciate the fact Larry that although you seem to be mainly a prog fan, as well as Beatles, you also have a wider taste; including Beach Boys, the Clash, and XTC etc.
Lead vocals: 1. Let Us Go On (Carl w/ Mike) 2. Roller Skatin Child (Mike w/ Brian at the end) 3. Mona (Dennis) 4. Johnny Carson (Mike w/ Carl) 5. Good Time (Brian in 1972) 6. Honkin (Al) 7. Ding Dang (Group w/ Mike) 8. Solar System (Brian) 9. The Night was So Young (Carl) 10. I'll Bet He's Nice (Dennis, Brian and Carl) 11. Let's Put Our Hearts (Brian and Marilyn) 12. I Wanna Pick You Up (Dennis and Brian) 13. Airplane (Mike w/ Brian , Carl w/ Brian on tag) 14. Love is a Woman (Brian, Mike and Al)
"Good Time" was a leftover from Sunflower sessions from 1970. Brian sang it. He still had his old voice at the time. When they did Love You 7 years later, Brian realized that this song suits new album's atmosphere and added it to the track list.
BTW, I'm really happy that you tried this album. It's very special for me and, for the most part, of the Beach Boys fans. The coolest thing about it is the production. The arrangements for the sons. It really sounded fresh and modern for 1977. Brian definitely wasn't out of touch with contemporary trends. P.S. Ding Dang is my favorite song on the album.
Johnny Carson mentioned hearing The Beach Boys tribute song about him. And he said, "Sure I heard it. Someone sent it over to the office. I don't think it was a big seller. I think they just did it for the fun of it. It was not a work of art.". I disagree, I think Brian Wilson was being serious. Brian was just being his usual eccentric self. I think "The Beach Boys Love You" is a fun and quirky album. I'd say it's their last pretty good album. Though, the "L.A. (Light Album)" from 1979 has its moments.
I appreciate you followed your 15 Big Ones review with this one! I would rate the album slightly higher than you (B+), but I agree that some parts of the album are better than others. Three of the middle songs on side 2 (“Night,” “I’ll Bet,” and “Let’s Put”) are the centerpiece of the album for me. I think Brian’s lyric approach works the best on those three tracks, and the music is terrific, too. “I’ll Bet” in particular has some nifty chord changes and a great key change in the bridge when Carl sings. Also, I laughed out loud during your ferocious singing along to “JOHN-NY! CAR-SON!” 😂
Lead singers for each song: Let's Go On This Way - Carl Wilson Roller Skating Child - Mike Love with Al Jardine, Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson. Mona - Dennis Wilson. Johnny Carson - Mike Love with Carl Wilson. Good Time - Brian Wilson. Honkin' Down The Highway - Al Jardine. Ding Dang - Mike Love with Carl and Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds. Solar System - Brian Wilson. The Night Was So Young - Carl Wilson. I'll Bet He's Nice - Dennis and Carl Wilson. Let's Put Our Hearts Together - Brian Wilson and his then-wife Marylyn. I Want To Pick You Up - Dennis, Carl and Brian Wilson. Airplane - Mike Love with Brian and Carl Wilson. Love Is A Woman- Brian Wilson.
There is a few more, rather than fill in the bits I've just borrowed from the "Definative Vocals Thread" formerly of the Smiley Smile message board The Beach Boys Love You 1. Let Us Go On This Way - Carl (verses) and Mike (middle-eight) 2. Roller Skatin' Child - Mike (1st half of verses), Alan (2nd half of verses, middle-8), Carl (2nd half of verses) 1 3. Mona - Dennis most prominent; and Brian on unison, audible mostly on the 2nd half of each line 4. Johnny Carson - Mike and Carl 5. Good Time - Brian 6. Honkin' Down The Highway - Alan 2 7. Ding Dang - Mike, with Carl on the title phrase 8. Solar System - Brian 9. The Night Was So Young - Carl 3 10. I'll Bet He's Nice - Dennis (1st half of verses, refrains), Brian (2nd half of verses), Carl (middle-8) 4 11. Let's Put Our Hearts Together - Brian and Marilyn Wilson 12. I Wanna Pick You Up - Dennis and Brian 13. Airplane - Mike (1st half of verses), Brian (2nd half of verses, tag), Carl (tag) 14. Love Is A Woman - Brian (verses), Mike (B-Section), Alan (bridge) 1 Prominent vocal line: Brian sings the title at the end of the song. 2 Prominent back-up: Brian, Dennis and Billy Hinsche perform the backing vocals. 3 Prominent back-up: Brian on the refrain. 4 Prominent back-up: Bruce multi-tracks himself on the tag (with Mike on bass vocal).
Thanks for doing this one, Larry. I was 13 when it came out and was a full-fledged BB fan. All I knew was the “Endless Summer” compilation album up to that point, and I’m REALLY GLAD I didn’t hear it then, because it would’ve really thrown me. I didn’t listen to it until my early thirties, having read a quick write-up about it’s barely-hinged nature. I honestly think this strange album is the other Brian Wilson masterpiece from the BB era. There’s a reason that Brian Wilson worked with lyricists. I especially love the car stuff he did with Hot Rod Poet Roger Christian (“Don’t Worry Baby” is my favorite BB tune). Mike Love was a decent lyricist but I hate his voice. Brian was terrible at writing lyrics, and yet he wrote all of them for this album, which makes it a fascinating snapshot into his state of mind at the time. I get entranced by the sheer inventiveness of the synth-work, especially on songs like “Solar System.” “Love is a Woman” is a great White Gospel tune. I remember the cast of SNL singing it with Brian to close out his infamous 1977 appearance on the show. Brian’s voice was very rough at this time. Chain-smoking several packs of cigarettes a day had taken its toll. “Let’s Put Our Hearts Together” is a duet between Brian and Marilyn Wilson. I think you gotta take this at it’s own bizarre level to really enjoy it. Thanks again!
This is a fantastic album. Brian's voice is shot on this album but in a way it adds to the charm. It's odd how Mike Love couldn't stand to sing the lyrics on some of the songs from the SMiLE album, but he has no problems singing "Johnny Carson" Of course he was pushing the Brian's Back publicity campaign so he had to sell it. It is a quirky album, but I love it for that reason. Sadly Brian's wife Melinda passed away a few weeks back, she was really his rock and was instrumental in freeing him from "Dr." Landy. After her passing it has now been reported that Brian is suffering from dementia. The man has brought comfort and joy to so many, it seems he just keeps getting hit with one thing after another. I hope he has a caring, loving family/team around him to help him through these trying times.
I discovered Love You on my journey back into their music 40 years after I listened to them as a kid. Amazing and off-putting at the same time. So punk rock.
Not sure if you have ever heard the album "The Beach Boys Today!", but as a Beach Boys fan its the only one that's as good as Pet Sounds (in my opinion). Love all the albums though.
I’ll Bet He’s Nice is one of my favourite BB songs. For another 70s album from them, maybe try “Carl & The Passions: So Tough”. Elton John believes it is one of the best albums ever made.
This is an interesting, slightly weird and unique album in their discography. It's not my favorite,but it's still at least the finest they did after 'Holland' (which is an album you should check out!) and until their probably final album 'That's why God made the Radio'.
Larry can you react to sgt peppers over the years I’ve notice people don’t real care about it or say it’s not as good and choose otheres like revolver or white album…
Larry,to me the Beach Boys were a band of their time and a great band at that but after Pet Sounds they lost me,I like the surfing,hot rod,girl loving Beach Boys and when they got away from all of that I lost interest in them,they maybe still made great music like this album but I really didn't give them a chance,sorry guy's but I'm back stuck on the beach! Bob
Wish this record had been Produced by Phil Spector. Perhaps he & Brian would have gelled & created magic. It's well intended & even innovative but not particularly memorable. Give it a B-.
Beach Boys have done some great cover songs, however on this album they failed .... I agree with you. Try reviewing Beach Boys Today or Shutdown Vol 2, they were at their best in the earlier years.
I have a weird relationship with this album. I love the quirkiness & the weird way it sounds... + their voices sound great but I agree with the common sentiment that the songwriting can be a bit meh. Mona is my favorite though.
I bought this album when it first came out. I thought it was cheesy and weak, considering some of their more contemporary early 1970s output. The vibe of this album was nostalgia, since The Beach Boys 60s catalog was in vogue again. The melodies are generally nice and the harmonies are very good. The lyrics are abysmal and the production is generic. This album had nothing to do with the mid-1970s, it stood out like a sore thumb. It has some pleasant moments but it only showed how out of step the band was with contemporary music. Even now, I just scratch my head and wonder, what could have been if they had a stronger contemporary songwriting presence to go with those voices and sense of melody.
Hey Larry. For me this was really enjoyable (at double speed) Not really a fan of the BB at all. Which is a shame. Well done getting through it though. all the best. Dave✅✅
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Adore this album. Brian wrote and produced the tracks entirely by himself. On the surface it's juvenile and random, but looking deeper reveals the most personal look we ever got into the mind of a childlike genius. Glad it was requested!
I appreciate the fact Larry that although you seem to be mainly a prog fan, as well as Beatles, you also have a wider taste; including Beach Boys, the Clash, and XTC etc.
I am not mainly a prog rock fan, as I love a wide variety of genres overall, including a lot of regular classic rock. Thanks!
Lead vocals:
1. Let Us Go On (Carl w/ Mike)
2. Roller Skatin Child (Mike w/ Brian at the end)
3. Mona (Dennis)
4. Johnny Carson (Mike w/ Carl)
5. Good Time (Brian in 1972)
6. Honkin (Al)
7. Ding Dang (Group w/ Mike)
8. Solar System (Brian)
9. The Night was So Young (Carl)
10. I'll Bet He's Nice (Dennis, Brian and Carl)
11. Let's Put Our Hearts (Brian and Marilyn)
12. I Wanna Pick You Up (Dennis and Brian)
13. Airplane (Mike w/ Brian , Carl w/ Brian on tag)
14. Love is a Woman (Brian, Mike and Al)
"Good Time" was a leftover from Sunflower sessions from 1970. Brian sang it. He still had his old voice at the time. When they did Love You 7 years later, Brian realized that this song suits new album's atmosphere and added it to the track list.
BTW, I'm really happy that you tried this album. It's very special for me and, for the most part, of the Beach Boys fans. The coolest thing about it is the production. The arrangements for the sons. It really sounded fresh and modern for 1977. Brian definitely wasn't out of touch with contemporary trends.
P.S. Ding Dang is my favorite song on the album.
I heard recently that Brian Wilson has either Alzheimer or dementia. If it’s true, that’s very sad. Thanks for doing this Larry.💁🏻♀️
Great video, Larry. I love this quirky album!!!!!
Thanks Chris!
Johnny Carson mentioned hearing The Beach Boys tribute song about him. And he said, "Sure I heard it. Someone sent it over to the office. I don't think it was a big seller. I think they just did it for the fun of it. It was not a work of art.". I disagree, I think Brian Wilson was being serious. Brian was just being his usual eccentric self. I think "The Beach Boys Love You" is a fun and quirky album. I'd say it's their last pretty good album. Though, the "L.A. (Light Album)" from 1979 has its moments.
I appreciate you followed your 15 Big Ones review with this one! I would rate the album slightly higher than you (B+), but I agree that some parts of the album are better than others. Three of the middle songs on side 2 (“Night,” “I’ll Bet,” and “Let’s Put”) are the centerpiece of the album for me. I think Brian’s lyric approach works the best on those three tracks, and the music is terrific, too. “I’ll Bet” in particular has some nifty chord changes and a great key change in the bridge when Carl sings.
Also, I laughed out loud during your ferocious singing along to “JOHN-NY! CAR-SON!” 😂
Lead singers for each song:
Let's Go On This Way - Carl Wilson
Roller Skating Child - Mike Love with Al Jardine, Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson.
Mona - Dennis Wilson.
Johnny Carson - Mike Love with Carl Wilson.
Good Time - Brian Wilson.
Honkin' Down The Highway - Al Jardine.
Ding Dang - Mike Love with Carl and Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and Roger McGuinn of The Byrds.
Solar System - Brian Wilson.
The Night Was So Young - Carl Wilson.
I'll Bet He's Nice - Dennis and Carl Wilson.
Let's Put Our Hearts Together - Brian Wilson and his then-wife Marylyn.
I Want To Pick You Up - Dennis, Carl and Brian Wilson.
Airplane - Mike Love with Brian and Carl Wilson.
Love Is A Woman- Brian Wilson.
Thank you! 🙂👍
@@canadianstudmuffin Anytime. Great video too. High quality entertainment, for sure.
There is a few more, rather than fill in the bits I've just borrowed from the "Definative Vocals Thread" formerly of the Smiley Smile message board
The Beach Boys Love You
1. Let Us Go On This Way - Carl (verses) and Mike (middle-eight)
2. Roller Skatin' Child - Mike (1st half of verses), Alan (2nd half of verses, middle-8), Carl (2nd half of verses) 1
3. Mona - Dennis most prominent; and Brian on unison, audible mostly on the 2nd half of each line
4. Johnny Carson - Mike and Carl
5. Good Time - Brian
6. Honkin' Down The Highway - Alan 2
7. Ding Dang - Mike, with Carl on the title phrase
8. Solar System - Brian
9. The Night Was So Young - Carl 3
10. I'll Bet He's Nice - Dennis (1st half of verses, refrains), Brian (2nd half of verses), Carl (middle-8) 4
11. Let's Put Our Hearts Together - Brian and Marilyn Wilson
12. I Wanna Pick You Up - Dennis and Brian
13. Airplane - Mike (1st half of verses), Brian (2nd half of verses, tag), Carl (tag)
14. Love Is A Woman - Brian (verses), Mike (B-Section), Alan (bridge)
1 Prominent vocal line: Brian sings the title at the end of the song.
2 Prominent back-up: Brian, Dennis and Billy Hinsche perform the backing vocals.
3 Prominent back-up: Brian on the refrain.
4 Prominent back-up: Bruce multi-tracks himself on the tag (with Mike on bass vocal).
Thanks for doing this one, Larry. I was 13 when it came out and was a full-fledged BB fan. All I knew was the “Endless Summer” compilation album up to that point, and I’m REALLY GLAD I didn’t hear it then, because it would’ve really thrown me. I didn’t listen to it until my early thirties, having read a quick write-up about it’s barely-hinged nature.
I honestly think this strange album is the other Brian Wilson masterpiece from the BB era.
There’s a reason that Brian Wilson worked with lyricists. I especially love the car stuff he did with Hot Rod Poet Roger Christian (“Don’t Worry Baby” is my favorite BB tune). Mike Love was a decent lyricist but I hate his voice. Brian was terrible at writing lyrics, and yet he wrote all of them for this album, which makes it a fascinating snapshot into his state of mind at the time.
I get entranced by the sheer inventiveness of the synth-work, especially on songs like “Solar System.” “Love is a Woman” is a great White Gospel tune. I remember the cast of SNL singing it with Brian to close out his infamous 1977 appearance on the show.
Brian’s voice was very rough at this time. Chain-smoking several packs of cigarettes a day had taken its toll. “Let’s Put Our Hearts Together” is a duet between Brian and Marilyn Wilson.
I think you gotta take this at it’s own bizarre level to really enjoy it.
Thanks again!
This is a fantastic album. Brian's voice is shot on this album but in a way it adds to the charm. It's odd how Mike Love couldn't stand to sing the lyrics on some of the songs from the SMiLE album, but he has no problems singing "Johnny Carson" Of course he was pushing the Brian's Back publicity campaign so he had to sell it. It is a quirky album, but I love it for that reason.
Sadly Brian's wife Melinda passed away a few weeks back, she was really his rock and was instrumental in freeing him from "Dr." Landy. After her passing it has now been reported that Brian is suffering from dementia. The man has brought comfort and joy to so many, it seems he just keeps getting hit with one thing after another. I hope he has a caring, loving family/team around him to help him through these trying times.
You're the first person I've ever seen headbang to The Beach Boys Love You :p
I discovered Love You on my journey back into their music 40 years after I listened to them as a kid. Amazing and off-putting at the same time. So punk rock.
Not sure if you have ever heard the album "The Beach Boys Today!", but as a Beach Boys fan its the only one that's as good as Pet Sounds (in my opinion). Love all the albums though.
I'd also give this album a B- rating. A very solid album 👍xxx.
It's really a trip listening in high speed! LOL! 15 Big Ones is one of my least favorite BB albums, while Love You is one of my favorite!
I’ll Bet He’s Nice is one of my favourite BB songs.
For another 70s album from them, maybe try “Carl & The Passions: So Tough”. Elton John believes it is one of the best albums ever made.
This is an interesting, slightly weird and unique album in their discography. It's not my favorite,but it's still at least the finest they did after 'Holland' (which is an album you should check out!) and until their probably final album 'That's why God made the Radio'.
I play Beach Boys Love You album
The one where you said it was Mike love singing, sounded like Brian to me…
It’s funny this album, I love it but couldn’t recommend to anyone I know. Johnny Carson is a song I sing often it’s so odd but so catchy.
Larry can you react to sgt peppers over the years I’ve notice people don’t real care about it or say it’s not as good and choose otheres like revolver or white album…
ruclips.net/video/ooC_HhGYiaM/видео.htmlfeature=shared
Good review. Glad you liked it. I would give the album an A minus
Larry,to me the Beach Boys were a band of their time and a great band at that but after Pet Sounds they lost me,I like the surfing,hot rod,girl loving Beach Boys and when they got away from all of that I lost interest in them,they maybe still made great music like this album but I really didn't give them a chance,sorry guy's but I'm back stuck on the beach! Bob
Wish this record had been Produced by Phil Spector. Perhaps he & Brian would have gelled & created magic. It's well intended & even innovative but not particularly memorable. Give it a B-.
Beach Boys have done some great cover songs, however on this album they failed .... I agree with you. Try reviewing Beach Boys Today or Shutdown Vol 2, they were at their best in the earlier years.
They definitely were.. but this was one of their best in their later years.
I have a weird relationship with this album. I love the quirkiness & the weird way it sounds... + their voices sound great but I agree with the common sentiment that the songwriting can be a bit meh. Mona is my favorite though.
I bought this album when it first came out. I thought it was cheesy and weak, considering some of their more contemporary early 1970s output. The vibe of this album was nostalgia, since The Beach Boys 60s catalog was in vogue again. The melodies are generally nice and the harmonies are very good. The lyrics are abysmal and the production is generic. This album had nothing to do with the mid-1970s, it stood out like a sore thumb. It has some pleasant moments but it only showed how out of step the band was with contemporary music. Even now, I just scratch my head and wonder, what could have been if they had a stronger contemporary songwriting presence to go with those voices and sense of melody.
Thank God they were out of step with contemporary music. They were not out to please assholes like you.
Im a Beach Boy fan and I thought Love You was a big disappointment after Holland.
Hey Larry. For me this was really enjoyable (at double speed) Not really a fan of the BB at all. Which is a shame. Well done getting through it though. all the best. Dave✅✅
just reading the lyrics shows why brian could not make any good lyrics after mid sixties drug fest
The lyrics to “Love and Mercy” are awesome. He has a lot of great solo lyrics.
let us go on ths way is a punk song and i love