WCSX Classic Cuts : Good Vibrations
WCSX Classic Cuts The Beach Boys: “Good Vibrations” The Hook: It took five weeks in the studio, off and on, to record it and was, according to Brian Wilson, “a…
America’s top pop group the Beach Boys, from left to right; Carl Wilson (1946 – 1998), Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Dennis Wilson (1944 – 1983), at a reception held for them at EMI House in London. Their latest single, ‘Good Vibrations’, which took six months to produce, is topping the charts. The Beach Boys are here on a concert tour, which sold out as soon as dates were announced. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Credit: Central Press / GettyimagesWCSX Classic Cuts
The Beach Boys: "Good Vibrations"
The Hook: It took five weeks in the studio, off and on, to record it and was, according to Brian Wilson, "a lot of work."
Album: Smiley Smile
Year: Released as a single in October 1966, it first appeared on album in September 1967
Writers: Brian Wilson and Mike Love
Stats: Peaked at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100. It has also placed high on many lists of all-time best songs, including number-one on the British music magazine Mojo's.
Background: The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" is acknowledged in many publications as one of rock's all-time greatest songs. Brian Wilson, who composed and produced the music, tells what what you should listen for when you hear it and what it was like putting it together in the studio.
Brian Wilson on “Good Vibrations.” OC:…famous group. :22
“A lot of work. Actually, we worked for about five weeks on it off and on every few days, so it took a long time to get that record made. And I sure hope everybody listens to Mike’s bass part and the cello, too, ‘cause it’s kind of scary. [Laughs] It’s scary in a good way. The word scary was a big word in the industry for years, like in the ‘60s, like Phil Spector was a scary producer or The Beatles were a scary famous group.”
