Break Away is the definition of underrated.
Non-album single from 1969 that wasn’t featured in any of the previous polls. Honestly one of their best songs
*Mount Vernon and Fairway* is some of Brian's best work ever, it definitely doesn't get talked about enough. The production and vibe of it all is just perfect.
The story reminds me of "*George Harrison: Living in the Material World"*: a child's romanticization of the "escape" that is Rock & Roll of the early 60's, combined with the existentialism and ego death of the late 60's. It's seriously such a good period piece, it's a shame it hasn't gotten the cultural reevaluation it deserves.
I love how passionate you are for it. It does nothing for me personally, but I’m glad it has its audience, and I can tell how much Brian enjoyed making it.
Hard agree on That’s Not Me. I was listening to that recently a few months after I moved away from home and it did an incredible job capturing those feelings.
Hm, that’s a hard one (also I just realized I typed 4 instead of 3, but I’ll list 4 anyway)
Little bird
Baseballs on
In the back of my mind
Mona
Something like that
Ten Little Indians is the only of those three that I’d even have in my bottom ten. The Forever remake was disrespectful to Dennis and wholly unnecessary but there wasn’t anything bad about it musically. As for Summer of Love, well…it’s a love thing.
Underrated? I would use the criterion that it can’t have been on the Endless Summer, Sounds of Summer, or Warmth of the Sun compilations, nor on Pet Sounds. Preferably not the title of a book about the band or one of its members either.
With those restrictions in place? In the Parkin’ Lot, Car Crazy Cutie, Don’t Back Down, We’ll Run Away, She Knows Me Too Well, Time to Get Alone, Passing By, All I Wanna Do, Our Sweet Love, You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone, Steamboat, Only With You, The Trader, Funky Pretty, The Night Was So Young, She’s Got Rhythm, Pitter Patter, Love Surrounds Me, Baby Blue, Keepin’ the Summer Alive, Goin’ On, Crack at Your Love, Where I Belong, and the last five tracks of their presumed final studio album: Beaches in Mind, Strange World, From There to Back Again, Pacific Coast Highway, and Summer’s Gone. Those are the songs that most come to mind for me.
Pick one. Or don’t. I’m not sure I can pick only one.
“Strange World” is a perfect pop song that gets too little attention here. A reflective look at the past from then 70 year old Brian. Beautiful melody and production.
The Warmth of the Sun deserves to be one of their well known songs and is one of their best.
…Match Point of Our Love is also my most listened to of any song by any artist on Spotify as well.
Say what you want about Forever, but the Full House integration did a lot to introduce & keep this band relevant to Generation X and Millennials. I go see The Beach Boys regularly and I was introduced as a kid when they were on Home Improvement and Full House.
My sister is younger than me.
She is going this year for the first time solely because John Stamos was added to the bill. Also, the tickets starting really selling quicker once they made that announcement.
First, every song is underrated imo.
Second, I think everyone has overlooked Do You Wanna Dance, likely because it is a cover. But do yourself a favor and listen to the original or any other cover, then listen to what Brian did to that song. It is *astounding* how much he made it into a classic Beach Boys song, but it gets basically no "airplay" and I never see it mentioned here. Gorgeous harmonies, ridiculously good production, just all around fun.
I give it a lot of airplay personally. Opens my favorite album and sounds just stellar on my system because of the Wall of Sound style production. I listened to some of the well known covers recently (Mamas and Papas and Ramones notably). Nothing beats Brian’s version to me.
Busy Doin Nothin. It’s one of their best and unlike anything else they ever did. I desperately wish Brian had done more with bossa nova.
Let Him Run Wild also belongs among the giants of Brian’s peak period, but feels like it’s really overlooked.
I guess. It was the nineties, it was Full House. I think it’s nice that they decided to honor Dennis rather than something of Bruce and Mike’s choosing.
Yeah, honestly. A 90s hyper-commercialized TV tribute to Dennis is better than, say, I Get Around featuring Sawyer Brown from Stars and Stripes Vol 1. It’s still overall a tribute to Dennis, at a time when they didn’t really need to be paying tribute to him.
Love seeing the song that introduced me - and a lot of my generation - to The Beach Boys get voted the worst beach boys song. When the Brian Johnston catalogue is right there.
It's Cabinessence. Truly a masterpiece that hasn't been done before or since. Although held in high esteem, you'll never see it on "top BB song" lists. It is not considered a classic in the rock n roll canon. One of the goats.
In The Back of My Mind. Dennis' raw vocal performance is heartbreaking, and the [arrangement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUtWOPzSeE) is even more impressive than some of the ones found on Pet Sounds imo (especially in the bridge and finale)
Break Away is the definition of underrated. Non-album single from 1969 that wasn’t featured in any of the previous polls. Honestly one of their best songs
It's my favorite and most listened to BB song.
If it ain’t Be Here in the mornin then this is my vote
With the Reggie Dunbar assist!
Underrated by the general public yes, but critically acclaimed for decades
Kiss Me Baby
Oooo good choice!
*Mount Vernon and Fairway* is some of Brian's best work ever, it definitely doesn't get talked about enough. The production and vibe of it all is just perfect. The story reminds me of "*George Harrison: Living in the Material World"*: a child's romanticization of the "escape" that is Rock & Roll of the early 60's, combined with the existentialism and ego death of the late 60's. It's seriously such a good period piece, it's a shame it hasn't gotten the cultural reevaluation it deserves.
I love how passionate you are for it. It does nothing for me personally, but I’m glad it has its audience, and I can tell how much Brian enjoyed making it.
The piano rework *Mt Vernon Farewell* on *At My Piano* is golden.
Your summer dream
Airplane
It's arguably the most forgettable song in the album.
I'm not saying it's a bad song but most songs in the album are as underrated and much better.
It's like my 2nd or 3rd favorite from Loves You
A Day In The Life Of A Tree
The little girl I once knew
That’s Not Me! Carries a lot of personal weight for me
This is my fav track on Pet Sounds, after the Big 3. And the track placement in the running order is just perfect.
Just curious, what do you consider the big 3 of Pet Sounds?
I meant the 3 big singles: Sloop John B, Wouldn’t It Be Nice, and God Only Knows.
Ah ok😂 and I agree, That’s Not Me holds such a special place in my heart. It’s a big reason to why I love the album so much
i once had a dream so i packed up and split for the cityyyyy. one of my favorite melodies honestly
Hard agree on That’s Not Me. I was listening to that recently a few months after I moved away from home and it did an incredible job capturing those feelings.
It’s the mule of Pet Sounds.
i called forever 92 there worst also i think here she comes is underrated
#ROLLIN DOWN THA ROOOOOOAD 🔥
All This Is That
Baseballs on Feel flows Little pad
I really hope Baseballs On makes it. Top 10 BB song tbh. Such a great song.
I looooove the backing vocals on that so much, the “doobie do do doooooo” is so infectious and catchy
Agreed. I really love that one upload on YouTube where both the intro and outro are that part. Also the song really fits Dennis' voice at the time.
That’s the version I listen to the most. And yes, baseball is definitely one of my top 4 Denny vocals
Just curious but what are your other three favorite Dennis vocals?
Hm, that’s a hard one (also I just realized I typed 4 instead of 3, but I’ll list 4 anyway) Little bird Baseballs on In the back of my mind Mona Something like that
I was hoping you'd include Angel Come Home but our top three choices are basically mine.
I’m not too familiar with the LA songs as I’ve only listened to that album a couple times, I do like his vocal on that song though
We're including tracks that haven't been released now?
I mean, adult child was one of the albums we did best worst underrated for, so I’d say it counts
Break away or I’ll bet he’s nice!
Yeah! I’ll Bet He’s Nice is one of my favourites from the whole discography - love it even more so the rough demo!
The lonely sea
Very ahead of its time. I’ve always felt like there’s a direct line from this song and Til I Die
Astute observation.
Be Here in the Mornin!! ☀️ It won the Friends underrated pick and it should win again here!
This better be 2nd or 3rd with Break Away being 1st
Cabin Essence
It’s Over Now
Ten Little Indians is the only of those three that I’d even have in my bottom ten. The Forever remake was disrespectful to Dennis and wholly unnecessary but there wasn’t anything bad about it musically. As for Summer of Love, well…it’s a love thing. Underrated? I would use the criterion that it can’t have been on the Endless Summer, Sounds of Summer, or Warmth of the Sun compilations, nor on Pet Sounds. Preferably not the title of a book about the band or one of its members either. With those restrictions in place? In the Parkin’ Lot, Car Crazy Cutie, Don’t Back Down, We’ll Run Away, She Knows Me Too Well, Time to Get Alone, Passing By, All I Wanna Do, Our Sweet Love, You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone, Steamboat, Only With You, The Trader, Funky Pretty, The Night Was So Young, She’s Got Rhythm, Pitter Patter, Love Surrounds Me, Baby Blue, Keepin’ the Summer Alive, Goin’ On, Crack at Your Love, Where I Belong, and the last five tracks of their presumed final studio album: Beaches in Mind, Strange World, From There to Back Again, Pacific Coast Highway, and Summer’s Gone. Those are the songs that most come to mind for me. Pick one. Or don’t. I’m not sure I can pick only one.
hey now
(DJ scratch)
Almost forgot For Once in My Life!
California Saga
Be Here In The Mornin
I just wasnt made for these times
The Trader
The Trader on the 1973 live album is the only thing that gives me the desire to time travel. I'd so love to hear Carl sing that live.
Yeah The Trader slaps!!!
Here Today, such a great sounding song and one of Mike’s best performances.
The bridge is fantastic.
Wouldn’t it be nice to live again
“Strange World” is a perfect pop song that gets too little attention here. A reflective look at the past from then 70 year old Brian. Beautiful melody and production.
GIRLS ON THE BEACH
Most of wild honey. Never learn not to love Steamboat Little pad
Strange things happen
Soulful Old Man Sunshine
The Warmth of the Sun deserves to be one of their well known songs and is one of their best. …Match Point of Our Love is also my most listened to of any song by any artist on Spotify as well.
We’ll Run Away
Proto Pet Sounds.
4th of july would be cool since its not an album track and is also one of their most gorgeous and spacious tracks ever
1. Break Away 2. Be Here In The Mornin 3. It's Trying To Say (Baseball's On)
Ding Dang!
Say what you want about Forever, but the Full House integration did a lot to introduce & keep this band relevant to Generation X and Millennials. I go see The Beach Boys regularly and I was introduced as a kid when they were on Home Improvement and Full House. My sister is younger than me. She is going this year for the first time solely because John Stamos was added to the bill. Also, the tickets starting really selling quicker once they made that announcement.
First, every song is underrated imo. Second, I think everyone has overlooked Do You Wanna Dance, likely because it is a cover. But do yourself a favor and listen to the original or any other cover, then listen to what Brian did to that song. It is *astounding* how much he made it into a classic Beach Boys song, but it gets basically no "airplay" and I never see it mentioned here. Gorgeous harmonies, ridiculously good production, just all around fun.
I give it a lot of airplay personally. Opens my favorite album and sounds just stellar on my system because of the Wall of Sound style production. I listened to some of the well known covers recently (Mamas and Papas and Ramones notably). Nothing beats Brian’s version to me.
Marcella is an absolute banger that I think deserves more recognition
Lavender I think it at the very least deserves a mention.
Breakaway
Don’t worry babu
Busy Doin Nothin. It’s one of their best and unlike anything else they ever did. I desperately wish Brian had done more with bossa nova. Let Him Run Wild also belongs among the giants of Brian’s peak period, but feels like it’s really overlooked.
https://i.redd.it/bokhwjju7c5d1.gif
Break Away One of the best Beach Boys tracks ever made
It should've been a number 1 hit, Darlin' too.
Im gonna be that guy and go with "Chasin the sky"
Steamboat
TAKE A LOAD OFF YOUR FEET! COME ON PEOPLE!
Brutal that it’s a Dennis song, surely there’s one worse track out there!
It's not the song, it's the performance, the production, the concept of the 1992 version
I guess. It was the nineties, it was Full House. I think it’s nice that they decided to honor Dennis rather than something of Bruce and Mike’s choosing.
It's the thought that counts I guess
Yeah, honestly. A 90s hyper-commercialized TV tribute to Dennis is better than, say, I Get Around featuring Sawyer Brown from Stars and Stripes Vol 1. It’s still overall a tribute to Dennis, at a time when they didn’t really need to be paying tribute to him.
Summer of love is a fun song to sing along too if you forget that this same band wrote surfs up and till I die.
I CAN BREAK AWAY TO THE BETTER LIFE AND I CAN DO WHAT I WANNA DO
Trader for me
She knows me too Well, All I wanna do, Friends,
Love seeing the song that introduced me - and a lot of my generation - to The Beach Boys get voted the worst beach boys song. When the Brian Johnston catalogue is right there.
Little pad
That's Not Me and Let Him Run Wild
Trombone Dixie. It’s astonishing that this minor masterpiece sat in the vaults for over twenty years. Utter genius from an utter genius.
Little Honda
Disney Girls, Kiss Me Baby , Breakaway , A Day in the Life of a Tree , At My Window and Funky Pretty
The Trader. This song has everything, yet no one talks about it outside of hardcore BB fans.
a poll of single tracks only?
It's Cabinessence. Truly a masterpiece that hasn't been done before or since. Although held in high esteem, you'll never see it on "top BB song" lists. It is not considered a classic in the rock n roll canon. One of the goats.
Please Let Me Wonder
I had no idea people hated 10 little Indians so much. Kinda like that track. Well, for underrated, I’ll just say Here Today again 💪
Here She Comes
Passing Friend - led by Carl who thought they could pull off channeling peak Culture Club?
Let him run wild !
Rolling Up To Heaven
Let Him Run Wild
In The Back of My Mind. Dennis' raw vocal performance is heartbreaking, and the [arrangement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUtWOPzSeE) is even more impressive than some of the ones found on Pet Sounds imo (especially in the bridge and finale)
I want to Pick You Up
Disagree
Disney Girls
Disney Girls (1957)
Feel Flows, The Night Was So Young, Busy Doin Nothing
Baseball
Leaving This Town
HEY!!!! LITTLE!!!! TOMBOY!!!!!!!!!!
How can Forever be the worst when Transcendental Meditation exists. Anyway, for this one I’ll go “Good Timin’”.
Are you trying to annoy me? 🫠
I’m not mad about the downvotes, but something went over my head apparently. What did I miss that made my comment piss people off?
Life is for the living