The actual lead singer, and high voice, on this song is Dean Torrence from Jan and Dean fame. The story goes that Jan & Dean were recording in the same studio down the hall from the Beach Boys. Dean got fed up with Jan being a control freak and took a break. Walking down the hall, he saw his buddies the Beach Boys, and stopped in to say hi. The Beach Boys had been drinking steadily while recording and were in a pretty good mood by this time. Someone asked Dean if he wanted to sing a song and he said sure, let's do Barbara Ann. This was just an impromptu sing along for fun, but someone turned the recorder on. No one thought much of the song until it turned up on the radio a few days later, and a hit was born. Dean Torrence didn't get any credit and never received any royalties from the song, but it apparently never bothered him. Jan Berry would have his car accident 7 months later, which pretty much ended Jan & Dean's career.
the harmony of the Beach Boys was a standard for that time, you had Jan & Dean, The Dave Clark Five, Sonny & Cher & The Everly Brothers, just to name a few. A Great fun song to be listening to, as always thank you for sharing your time and music with us Shawn.
BARBARA ANN, HELP ME RHONDA, GOOD VIBRATIONS, SLOOP JOHN B., SAIL ON SAILOR, LITTLE DEUCE COUPE, 409, FUN FUN FUN (until her daddy takes her T-Bird away), LITTLE GTO, all classics I grew up with.
You could do with going down this rabbit hole. You would love all of their music, they were just pure talent with their harmonising. Fantastic songs!!!!
Oh Shawn… you’re the best! You played the banana song too! Lol! I love The Beach Boys! Brian Wilson is usually the one doing the higher voice. (I would love the double feature!) Please consider “God only knows” Paul McCartney’s favorite song. However, basically any song of theirs you do will be fire! 😀 PS. “Sloop John B” .. “Heroes & Villians” 😀
Love this! I bought their 1974 Endless Summer album back when it was released. But everytime I hear this particular Beach Boys song, I think of two things...my late mother-in-law who was named Barbara Ann, and also John Travolta doing it on Welcome Back Kotter as Barb-Barb-arino!
For a group that was known for doing songs about surfing and surfers, it's odd that only one member, drummer and co-founder Dennis Wilson, actually was a surfer. Good on ya, Dennis.
WOW! What a memory! Do a search on a folk dance called "tinickling". In late '65, I was 12 and in the 7th grade. Everything about that year was awful, starting with me going into Junior High, and my parents getting a divorce......But, during that winter, we did a LOT of that bamboo stick dance in the gym, and Barbra Ann was one of the songs most often used due to it's tempo.......those were probably the only really pleasant memories I have from that year!!!! Music was the ONLY consistent source of joy to me then!!! Especially The Beatles and The Beach Boys!!
In was on a tour in Vietnam, where the most popular beer is 333, pronounced ba ba ba. Every time our group leader mentioned it, our whole group would start singing Barbara Ann.
This song was before my time. But I remember in grade school, whenever you didn't want to listen to someone bragging, complaining, or preaching, the kids used to just drown out the other person by just repeating "Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara An"n over and over.
The Beach Boys record label Capital wanted them to release an album soon in late 1965 and Brian Wilson and the rest of the band were working on the masterpiece Pet Sounds that took awhile to record so they recorded the album Beach Boys Party quick with covers on it and party songs to satisfy their record company. I think you should react to The Regents original 1961 version soon because it's great too and has a great saxophone solo in it and their version is faster.
You might like to react to some calypso music. The best at calypso was Harry Belafonte. Some of his songs are Dayo (The Banana Boat Song), Matilda, Matilda, and Jamaica Farewell.
Jan + Dean were recording in the same building and during a break Dean Torrence wandered in where the Beach Boys were recording and sings on this the high parts with Brian Wilson.At the Very end of the long version you can hear Dennis say "Thanks Dean".They cut this version off..
Try Sail On Sailor or Long Promised Road for meatier tune. Dean Torrance from Jan and Dean sings some of the lead. There was an extended version. It's from the Party album. which was a staged party!
The original version by The Regents lays down much of the foundation of vocal and music, but of course The Beach Boys has some upgrade in multiparts harmonizing. The Who also has a cover of this song, with their usual frenetic intensity.
This isn't in my top 50 Beach Boys songs but I like it. Try Funky Pretty, Cool Cool Water, Cabinessence or I Just Wasn't Made For These Times for something cool. This album Barbara Ann was on was intentionally recorded for a Party! type atmosphere which I do like but this song and the album it was on was buying time for Pet Sounds a more exquisite audio experience.
I dated a girl named Barbara Ann in the late 70s... Man she hated this song, LOL. For silly pop Beach Boys, I prefer "Help Me Rhonda" and "Fun Fun Fun". For serious Beach Boys, "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". For folksy Beach Boys, "Sloop John B" and "Kokomo". For genius musician Beach Boys, "Good Vibrations".
There's not a bigger Beach Boys fan than me but this is my least favorite of their hundreds of songs. Do a deep dive into them. The Regents version is much better. The BB at the time were being pushed by Capitol records to put out a n album. This "party" album is crap. But they were under the gun. Brian was working on the Pet Sounds album and did want to do anything else. Pet Sounds is considered by many in the industry (including the Beatles) to be the best album ever.
Early formative years. They were the best until the Beatles came along and competed, pushing Brian Wilson into producing masterpieces like 'God only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'.
I gotta ask, "where have you been for the past 50 years?" i cant work out how a mid aged white guy had never heard this and many other tracks you listen to.
The actual lead singer, and high voice, on this song is Dean Torrence from Jan and Dean fame. The story goes that Jan & Dean were recording in the same studio down the hall from the Beach Boys. Dean got fed up with Jan being a control freak and took a break. Walking down the hall, he saw his buddies the Beach Boys, and stopped in to say hi. The Beach Boys had been drinking steadily while recording and were in a pretty good mood by this time. Someone asked Dean if he wanted to sing a song and he said sure, let's do Barbara Ann. This was just an impromptu sing along for fun, but someone turned the recorder on. No one thought much of the song until it turned up on the radio a few days later, and a hit was born. Dean Torrence didn't get any credit and never received any royalties from the song, but it apparently never bothered him. Jan Berry would have his car accident 7 months later, which pretty much ended Jan & Dean's career.
My favorite is an early one: "Surfer Girl." Gorgeous melody, sweet key change.
I love how they laugh when messing up the words going into the second chorus...so funny!
the harmony of the Beach Boys was a standard for that time, you had Jan & Dean, The Dave Clark Five, Sonny & Cher & The Everly Brothers, just to name a few. A Great fun song to be listening to, as always thank you for sharing your time and music with us Shawn.
BARBARA ANN, HELP ME RHONDA, GOOD VIBRATIONS, SLOOP JOHN B., SAIL ON SAILOR, LITTLE DEUCE COUPE, 409, FUN FUN FUN (until her daddy takes her T-Bird away), LITTLE GTO, all classics I grew up with.
Sail on Sailor, Wild Honey, Darlin' and Help Me Rhonda.
Deep meaningful lyrics. We used to sing this on the school bus
Always liked this song, but my favourite Beach Boys song, was also Paul McCartney’s favourite song period, “ God only knows”
Actually Dean Torrence From Jan and Dean is singing lead on this with the Beach Boys. Song was originally recorded by the Regents in 1958.
Such a great old song from the mid 60s. Gosh, these guys were so good.
Omg, I’m cracking up 😂😂😂😂! “ Little Surfer Girl “ is a great Beach Boys song!👍👏👏👏♥️👀 👀 👀 👀
One of their greatest.... fun tune.
Just love The Beach Boys.
just your smile while you're listening to this....😊😊😊
You could do with going down this rabbit hole. You would love all of their music, they were just pure talent with their harmonising. Fantastic songs!!!!
If you haven't already, "I Get Around" is a great one by the Beach Boys!
This was early Beach Boys. Great harmonies, but not much production innovation. Love it!
I think you like the oldies sound. You seem to really enjoy it. Love it.
Brian Wilson does the high voice, such a fun group.
Fun fact : Their drummer, Dennis Wilson actually collaborated with Charles Manson 🫤🫤
Oh Shawn… you’re the best! You played the banana song too! Lol! I love The Beach Boys! Brian Wilson is usually the one doing the higher voice. (I would love the double feature!) Please consider “God only knows” Paul McCartney’s favorite song. However, basically any song of theirs you do will be fire! 😀
PS. “Sloop John B” .. “Heroes & Villians” 😀
Yes!......love "Sloop John B"
Oh my….takes my way back! I was 12 when I bought the 45 single, still have it😎
The original of this was done earlier than this by a group called The Regents. It is every bit as good as this one.
IMO, it's better
Love this! I bought their 1974 Endless Summer album back when it was released. But everytime I hear this particular Beach Boys song, I think of two things...my late mother-in-law who was named Barbara Ann, and also John Travolta doing it on Welcome Back Kotter as Barb-Barb-arino!
For a group that was known for doing songs about surfing and surfers, it's odd that only one member, drummer and co-founder Dennis Wilson, actually was a surfer. Good on ya, Dennis.
i always liked Sloop John B
Was my first choice to quiet a fussy baby. A few Ba Ba Ba s. They stop and give you that look of wonderment
Fun song and fantastic reaction😊💙
My girlfriend , Barbra Jo LOVED the Beach Boys! Summer of '65! Hard to believe that it was almost 60 years ago!😂❤
WOW! What a memory! Do a search on a folk dance called "tinickling". In late '65, I was 12 and in the 7th grade. Everything about that year was awful, starting with me going into Junior High, and my parents getting a divorce......But, during that winter, we did a LOT of that bamboo stick dance in the gym, and Barbra Ann was one of the songs most often used due to it's tempo.......those were probably the only really pleasant memories I have from that year!!!! Music was the ONLY consistent source of joy to me then!!! Especially The Beatles and The Beach Boys!!
Probably the sloppiest and most fun single a record company ever allowed to be released.
this is the song we grew up with.
This is definitely the version everybody heard. They just decided to have fun with it.
In was on a tour in Vietnam, where the most popular beer is 333, pronounced ba ba ba. Every time our group leader mentioned it, our whole group would start singing Barbara Ann.
This song was before my time. But I remember in grade school, whenever you didn't want to listen to someone bragging, complaining, or preaching, the kids used to just drown out the other person by just repeating "Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbara An"n over and over.
I loved this song and your reaction to it!😊❤
The Beach Boys record label Capital wanted them to release an album soon in late 1965 and Brian Wilson and the rest of the band were working on the masterpiece Pet Sounds that took awhile to record so they recorded the album Beach Boys Party quick with covers on it and party songs to satisfy their record company. I think you should react to The Regents original 1961 version soon because it's great too and has a great saxophone solo in it and their version is faster.
You might like to react to some calypso music. The best at calypso was Harry Belafonte. Some of his songs are Dayo (The Banana Boat Song), Matilda, Matilda, and Jamaica Farewell.
This song came out when I was mid-teens, and was really good for dancing. Really good, just fun. Thanks, and God bless you!
Jan + Dean were recording in the same building and during a break Dean Torrence wandered in where the Beach Boys were recording and sings on this the high parts with Brian Wilson.At the Very end of the long version you can hear Dennis say "Thanks Dean".They cut this version off..
Wasn't this on The Beach Boys Party album?
Try Sail On Sailor or Long Promised Road for meatier tune. Dean Torrance from Jan and Dean sings some of the lead. There was an extended version. It's from the Party album. which was a staged party!
Do it Again 😊
Oh such a fun song!! Takes me back to summers of my youth!
Was there an outdoor festival back in the day that the Beach Boys didn’t play at. 😂.
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE EACH BOYS LOL!!!! I SAW THEM IN SAN DIEGO AT THE Q WAY BACK WHEN LOL
The original version by The Regents lays down much of the foundation of vocal and music, but of course The Beach Boys has some upgrade in multiparts harmonizing. The Who also has a cover of this song, with their usual frenetic intensity.
Hey Shawn, one of the black and white photos with the hot rods, one of them was recently recovered and redone .
The album version is the same just some talking in between tracks. The whole album is live. Another great cover they did is "Hushabye".
What hits me are all those Southern double names......grew up with those double barrel names.....guys and girls, it was a Southern thing..
Donna Kay here..
Yes from the South
You got the right one!
This isn't in my top 50 Beach Boys songs but I like it. Try Funky Pretty, Cool Cool Water, Cabinessence or I Just Wasn't Made For These Times for something cool. This album Barbara Ann was on was intentionally recorded for a Party! type atmosphere which I do like but this song and the album it was on was buying time for Pet Sounds a more exquisite audio experience.
Try "Catch a Wave" to hear some great harmony!
no talking in the background is actually yeah it's it's in their song so
You have to check out The Who covering this . The piece was part of their "Rockumentary" , The Kids are Alright . It's a Rip ! 🙂
Try "Sloop John B" by these guys. You'll love it!
I dated a girl named Barbara Ann in the late 70s... Man she hated this song, LOL. For silly pop Beach Boys, I prefer "Help Me Rhonda" and "Fun Fun Fun". For serious Beach Boys, "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". For folksy Beach Boys, "Sloop John B" and "Kokomo". For genius musician Beach Boys, "Good Vibrations".
I think its pronounced Bob-er-ann.
There's not a bigger Beach Boys fan than me but this is my least favorite of their hundreds of songs. Do a deep dive into them. The Regents version is much better. The BB at the time were being pushed by Capitol records to put out a n album. This "party" album is crap. But they were under the gun. Brian was working on the Pet Sounds album and did want to do anything else. Pet Sounds is considered by many in the industry (including the Beatles) to be the best album ever.
Early formative years. They were the best until the Beatles came along and competed, pushing Brian Wilson into producing masterpieces like 'God only Knows' and 'Good Vibrations'.
I gotta ask, "where have you been for the past 50 years?" i cant work out how a mid aged white guy had never heard this and many other tracks you listen to.
?! To address just one part of that-- I can't work out why you would think he's middle aged!
A Beach Boys must: "Sloop John B"