The Beach Boys' key to success in 1966
David Beard's full Beach Boys 1966 article is published in Goldmine's Special Beach Boys issue. The article includes interviews with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and Al Jardine. It is available via digital download by clicking the above image.
For The Beach Boys, 1966 was a magical year.
By David Beard
In 1966, Brian Wilson and Mike Love cracked the code on the perfect marriage between jazz-infused rhythm and blues, exotica, doo-wop and psychedelic pop when The Beach Boys released “Good Vibrations,” a song that changed music overnight.
On “Pet Sounds” (released just before "Good Vibrations") you can hear Brian’s compelling personal storyline play out through the 13-track collection on “You Still Believe In Me,” “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder),” “Let’s Go Away For Awhile,” “God Only Knows,” “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” and “Caroline, No,” but in its entirety the overture to new horizons is enveloped with The Beach Boys’ influence. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “I’m Waiting for The Day,” “Sloop John B” and “I Know There’s an Answer” speak directly to the group’s vocal supremacy and each member’s musical acumen.
THE KEY TO THE BEACH BOYS' SUCCESS IN 1966
“CAROLINE, NO”
SINGLE RECORDED: January 31, 1966
RELEASED: March 7, 1966
CHART: U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Singles: No. 32
“SLOOP JOHN B”
RECORDED: July 12-December 29, 1965
RELEASED: March 21, 1966
CHART: U.S.A.: No. 3 • Canada: No. 2 • U.K.: No. 2 • Australia: No. 17
“PET SOUNDS”
RECORDED: July 12, 1965-April 13, 1966
RELEASED: May 16, 1966
CHART: 1966: U.S. Billboard 200 Albums
1966: U.K. Top 40 Album Chart, No. 10
1972: U.S. Billboard 200, No. 2
Albums: No. 50
1990: U.S. Billboard 200 Albums #162
2001: Top Internet Albums, No. 24
“GOD ONLY KNOWS”
RECORDED: March 10-April 11, 1966
RELEASED: July 11, 1966 as A-Side b/w “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
CHART: U.S.A.: No. 39 • U.K.: No. 2 • Australia: No. 17 • Norway: No. 6
“WOULDN’T IT BE NICE”
RECORDED: January 22-April 11, 1966
RELEASED: July 18, 1966 as A-Side b/w “God Only Knows”
CHART: U.S.A.: No. 8 • Australia: No. 2 • Canada: No. 4 • New Zealand: No. 12
Cover art for the "Good Vibrations" single, released in 1966.
“GOOD VIBRATIONS”
RECORDED: February 17 – September 21, 1966
RELEASED: October 10, 1966
STUDIOS: United Western Recorders, CBS Columbia Square, Gold Star Studios, and Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood
CHART: Australia: No. 1 • Austria: No. 9 • Belgium: No. 6 • Canadian: No. 2 • Finland: No. 3 • France: No. 10 • Germany: No. 8 • Irish Singles Chart: No. 3 • Italy: No. 12 • Malaysian Singles Chart: No. 1 • Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): No. 4 • Netherlands (Single Top 100): No. 4 • New Zealand: No. 1 • Norway: No. 2 • Rhodesian Singles Chart: No. 1 • Singaporean Singles Chart: No, 2 • South African Chart: No. 3 • U.K.: No. 1 • U.S. Billboard Hot 100: No. 1
Initially recorded during the “Pet Sounds” sessions, “Good Vibrations” takes over 10 months to record. Recorded in four different studios and costing $50,000 to produce (over $370,000 by today’s standards), it becomes one of the most expensive singles recorded up to that point. Upon release, the song enters Billboard’s Singles chart, and rises to the top, becoming The Beach Boys’ third No. 1 hit, and the band’s first Platinum-certified, million-selling single.
If you would prefer a physical copy of the special Beach Boys issue mentioned above, please call 715-445-4612, Ext. 13369 or email missy.fenn@fwmedia.com to order print copies.
