Somewhere Near Japan
Encyclopedia
"Somewhere Near Japan" is a song written by John Phillips
, Terry Melcher
, Mike Love
, and Bruce Johnston
for the American
rock
band
The Beach Boys
. It was released on their 1989 album Still Cruisin'
.
and concerns his daughter Mackenzie's honeymoon experiences. She and her new husband, both serious substance abusers, flew to Guam
, and both the money and the drugs soon ran out. This was when her father received a late night phone call from Phillips begging him send money or drugs, preferably both: when he asked where she was, the reply was "somewhere near Japan". The original version of the song, titled "Fairy Tale Girl", allegedly ran to over 25 verses, and the story goes that when The Beach Boys started performing it in concert, Alan Jardine was unaware of the many drug references until someone told him about them, at which point he refused to sing it live (in later years, his stance apparently eased somewhat).
, Carl Wilson
, Al Jardine
and Bruce Johnston
. Brian Wilson
was not included in the recording of the song, as he was involved professionally with Eugene Landy
at the time of recording and was not actively participating in many Beach Boys projects. He did, however, appear in the music video. The single release is a remix of the album recording. The 12-string guitars, mandolin & solo were played by Los Angeles studio musician, Craig T. Fall. The main recording was done at Al Jardine
's Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, Calif. The programming, including drums/keyboards were (as far as I know) done by Keith Wechsler, who also was the engineer on the 'Still Crusin' album, and the 'Summer in Paradise
' album. The song was produced by Terry Melcher
, who co-wrote the song, helped arrange the background vocals.
, Carl Wilson
, Al Jardine
, Bruce Johnston
and Mike Love
. In the closing moments of Somewhere Near Japan, all five members of the band were featured together since the Beach Boys video California Dreamin'
; however, Brian Wilson's footage was filmed separately from the remaining four and was superimposed into the shot. The video for Somewhere Near Japan would be the last time the five members would create a music video to promote an original Beach Boys single (the five would return for documentary for Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
where subsequent videos were created).
John Phillips (musician)
John Edmund Andrew Phillips , was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter and promoter . Known as Papa John, Phillips was a member and leader of the singing group The Mamas & the Papas...
, Terry Melcher
Terry Melcher
Terrence P. Melcher was an American musician and record producer, who was instrumental in shaping the sound of American West Coast rock music. His greatest contribution to the culture of the time was producing The Byrds' innovative hits "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and his...
, Mike Love
Mike Love
Michael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
, and Bruce Johnston
Bruce Johnston
Bruce Arthur Johnston is a member of The Beach Boys and a songwriter, remembered especially for composing "I Write the Songs". Johnston was not one of the original members of the band...
for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
The Beach Boys
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...
. It was released on their 1989 album Still Cruisin'
Still Cruisin'
-Singles:* "Kokomo" b/w "Tutti Frutti" , July 18, 1988 US #1; UK #25* "Still Cruisin' " b/w "Kokomo" , August 7, 1989 US #93* "Somewhere Near Japan" b/w "Kokomo" , January 1990...
.
Back Story
The bulk of the song was written by John PhilipsJohn Philips
John Philips was an 18th century English poet.- Early life and education :Philips was born at Bampton, Oxfordshire, the son of Rev. Stephen Philips, later archdeacon of Salop, and his wife Mary Wood. He was at first taught by his father and then went to Winchester College...
and concerns his daughter Mackenzie's honeymoon experiences. She and her new husband, both serious substance abusers, flew to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, and both the money and the drugs soon ran out. This was when her father received a late night phone call from Phillips begging him send money or drugs, preferably both: when he asked where she was, the reply was "somewhere near Japan". The original version of the song, titled "Fairy Tale Girl", allegedly ran to over 25 verses, and the story goes that when The Beach Boys started performing it in concert, Alan Jardine was unaware of the many drug references until someone told him about them, at which point he refused to sing it live (in later years, his stance apparently eased somewhat).
Recording
"Somewhere Near Japan" features the lead vocals of Mike LoveMike Love
Michael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
, Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson
Carl Dean Wilson was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and sometime lead vocalist of The Beach Boys...
, Al Jardine
Al Jardine
Alan Charles "Al" Jardine is a founding member of top-selling American music group The Beach Boys, a guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life:...
and Bruce Johnston
Bruce Johnston
Bruce Arthur Johnston is a member of The Beach Boys and a songwriter, remembered especially for composing "I Write the Songs". Johnston was not one of the original members of the band...
. 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...
was not included in the recording of the song, as he was involved professionally with Eugene Landy
Eugene Landy
Eugene Ellsworth Landy, Ph.D. was a controversial American psychologist and therapist known for his unconventional treatment and eventual exploitation of composer/musician Brian Wilson...
at the time of recording and was not actively participating in many Beach Boys projects. He did, however, appear in the music video. The single release is a remix of the album recording. The 12-string guitars, mandolin & solo were played by Los Angeles studio musician, Craig T. Fall. The main recording was done at Al Jardine
Al Jardine
Alan Charles "Al" Jardine is a founding member of top-selling American music group The Beach Boys, a guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life:...
's Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, Calif. The programming, including drums/keyboards were (as far as I know) done by Keith Wechsler, who also was the engineer on the 'Still Crusin' album, and the 'Summer in Paradise
Summer in Paradise
Summer in Paradise is The Beach Boys' twenty-seventh studio album, their first release of the 1990s and the band's last full album of new, original material. It was released in the United States in 1992 on Brother Records and in the United Kingdom in 1993 on EMI. It has been reported that Navarre...
' album. The song was produced by Terry Melcher
Terry Melcher
Terrence P. Melcher was an American musician and record producer, who was instrumental in shaping the sound of American West Coast rock music. His greatest contribution to the culture of the time was producing The Byrds' innovative hits "Mr Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and his...
, who co-wrote the song, helped arrange the background vocals.
Music video
The music video features Brian WilsonBrian 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...
, Carl Wilson
Carl Wilson
Carl Dean Wilson was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist, best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and sometime lead vocalist of The Beach Boys...
, Al Jardine
Al Jardine
Alan Charles "Al" Jardine is a founding member of top-selling American music group The Beach Boys, a guitarist and occasional lead vocalist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.-Early life:...
, Bruce Johnston
Bruce Johnston
Bruce Arthur Johnston is a member of The Beach Boys and a songwriter, remembered especially for composing "I Write the Songs". Johnston was not one of the original members of the band...
and Mike Love
Mike Love
Michael Edward "Mike" Love is an American singer/songwriter and musician with The Beach Boys. He was a founding member of the band along with his cousins Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, and their friend Al Jardine, and continues to perform with the band to the present day...
. In the closing moments of Somewhere Near Japan, all five members of the band were featured together since the Beach Boys video California Dreamin'
California Dreamin'
"California Dreamin is a popular song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in 1965. The song is #89 in Rolling Stones list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time...
; however, Brian Wilson's footage was filmed separately from the remaining four and was superimposed into the shot. The video for Somewhere Near Japan would be the last time the five members would create a music video to promote an original Beach Boys single (the five would return for documentary for Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 is an album by The Beach Boys. Released in 1996, it is, despite its 'Volume 1' sub-title, their only venture into the genre of country pop music....
where subsequent videos were created).