All Summer Long
Encyclopedia
All Summer Long is the sixth studio album by The Beach Boys
and their second in 1964. Recorded in the aftermath of the British Invasion
, spearheaded by The Beatles
, the album marked a major turning point in The Beach Boys' career, and in leader/prime songwriter Brian Wilson
as an artist.
All Summer Long hit #4 in the US during a 49 week chart stay. All Summer Long (Capitol (S) T 2110) is now paired on CD with Little Deuce Coupe
, with bonus tracks from that period.
Songs from this album are also featured on the EP Four by The Beach Boys
.
", "All Summer Long
", "Wendy
" and "Girls on the Beach". The Beach Boys dubbed their vocals over the instrumental tracks performed by session musicians, all produced by the 21-year-old Wilson.
"I Get Around" preceded the album's release by some two months and quickly raced to become their first #1 single in the United States
; they also had a UK Top 10 debut with a #7 peak. The album was released in July, peaking at #4 in the United States, and being certified gold; the album did not make the UK charts, however.
But there was one major change in the internal structure of The Beach Boys during the making of All Summer Long. After enduring father and manager Murry Wilson
's domineering ways for over two years, the band had reached the breaking point. During the recording session for I Get Around
, the musicians fired their father as manager. An attempt at reconciliation on Murry Wilson's part, much of it captured on the running tapes for the " Help Me Rhonda" take that appeared on their next album, cemented the break.
sleeve. However, whilst it appears that all five band members were present for the session only Brian, Carl, Dennis and Mike were photographed on the sand (along with the two girls, in various outfits) - Al was absent that day for a case of Flu and his images were added at a later date.
On first pressings of the LP, the song "Don't Back Down" is misprinted as "Don't Break Down" on the front cover. This version of the LP sleeve also has the song titles printed in the same mustard-colored ink as the album title. Subsequent printings with the typo corrected have the song titles printed in black.
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
and their second in 1964. Recorded in the aftermath of the British Invasion
British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
, spearheaded by The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, the album marked a major turning point in The Beach Boys' career, and in leader/prime songwriter Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
as an artist.
All Summer Long hit #4 in the US during a 49 week chart stay. All Summer Long (Capitol (S) T 2110) is now paired on CD with Little Deuce Coupe
Little Deuce Coupe
Little Deuce Coupe is The Beach Boys' fourth album, and third overall LP release in 1963. Almost unintentionally, the album was rush-recorded and compiled when leader Brian Wilson sought to protect his band from exploitation from Capitol Records....
, with bonus tracks from that period.
Songs from this album are also featured on the EP Four by The Beach Boys
Four By The Beach Boys
Four By The Beach Boys EP by The Beach Boys was the band's first and only EP . It contained only songs from the album All Summer Long. It charted at #44 in the US.-Side one:...
.
Album history
Beginning in February 1964, Wilson engaged in a rigorous period of songwriting, emerging some weeks afterwards with songs including "I Get AroundI Get Around
"I Get Around" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for The Beach Boys. The song features Love on lead vocal for the verse, and Wilson for the chorus. It is noteworthy for its back-to-front structure - it starts with a chorus and has two short verses...
", "All Summer Long
All Summer Long (song)
"All Summer Long" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1964 album All Summer Long, and as a single in the UK in February 1965 in place of Capitol's U.S...
", "Wendy
Wendy (song)
"Wendy" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1964 album All Summer Long. It was also featured on their EP, Four by The Beach Boys. "Wendy" peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100, at No. 36 in Germany and at No...
" and "Girls on the Beach". The Beach Boys dubbed their vocals over the instrumental tracks performed by session musicians, all produced by the 21-year-old Wilson.
"I Get Around" preceded the album's release by some two months and quickly raced to become their first #1 single in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
; they also had a UK Top 10 debut with a #7 peak. The album was released in July, peaking at #4 in the United States, and being certified gold; the album did not make the UK charts, however.
But there was one major change in the internal structure of The Beach Boys during the making of All Summer Long. After enduring father and manager Murry Wilson
Murry Wilson
Murry Gage Wilson was an American musician and record producer, best remembered as the father of The Beach Boys members Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, and Carl Wilson, uncle of bandmate Mike Love, and the husband of Audree Wilson...
's domineering ways for over two years, the band had reached the breaking point. During the recording session for I Get Around
I Get Around
"I Get Around" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for The Beach Boys. The song features Love on lead vocal for the verse, and Wilson for the chorus. It is noteworthy for its back-to-front structure - it starts with a chorus and has two short verses...
, the musicians fired their father as manager. An attempt at reconciliation on Murry Wilson's part, much of it captured on the running tapes for the " Help Me Rhonda" take that appeared on their next album, cemented the break.
Front cover artwork
A summer feel permeates the cover of this album, with a series of candid snapshots mounted into a montage. Photography was credited to both Kenneth Veeder and George Jerman (who had taken the photographs for the bands earlier albums) but it remains unclear as to who took the color pictures on the front of the sleeve, or the black and white studio shots on the reverse. The location for the shoot was once again Paradise Cove, north of Malibu, the same location used for the Surfin' SafariSurfin' Safari
-Musicians:*Alan Jardine - vocals, acoustic bass *Mike Love - vocals*David Marks - rhythm guitar, vocals *Brian Wilson - bass guitar, piano, vocals*Carl Wilson - lead guitar, vocals*Dennis Wilson - drums, vocals...
sleeve. However, whilst it appears that all five band members were present for the session only Brian, Carl, Dennis and Mike were photographed on the sand (along with the two girls, in various outfits) - Al was absent that day for a case of Flu and his images were added at a later date.
On first pressings of the LP, the song "Don't Back Down" is misprinted as "Don't Break Down" on the front cover. This version of the LP sleeve also has the song titles printed in the same mustard-colored ink as the album title. Subsequent printings with the typo corrected have the song titles printed in black.
Track listing
Singles
- "I Get Around" b/w "Don't Worry Baby" (from Shut Down Volume 2Shut Down Volume 2Shut Down Volume 2 is the fifth studio album by The Beach Boys, and the first of four they would release in 1964. The album's "Volume 2" refers to it being a follow-up to the 1963 hot rod compilation Shut Down, released by the band's label, Capitol Records, which included "409" and "Shut Down" but...
) (Capitol 5174), 23 May 1964 US #1; UK #7 ("Don't Worry Baby" US #24)
Sources
- Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long CD booklet notes, David Leaf, c.1990.
- The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience, Timothy WhiteTimothy WhiteTimothy White was a noted American rock music journalist and editor.White began his journalism career as a writer for the Associated Press, but soon gravitated towards music writing...
, c. 1994. - Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story, Brian WilsonBrian WilsonBrian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
and Todd Gold, c. 1991. - Top Pop Singles 1955-2001, Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- Top Pop Albums 1955-2001, Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- Allmusic.com