Vocal Surf Rock
The song “Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys is a great example of vocal Sixties surf rock.
If your heart is broken by someone, maybe another can help you feel better. “Help Me, Rhonda” was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for The Beach Boys. It was initially released on their 1965 album The Beach Boys Today!. The single was an alternate take and rose to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. It was their second #1 single after “I Get Around,” which was released in 1964. “Help Me, Rhonda” was also in their album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!). The single was also an international success, going to #1 in Canada, #2 in Singapore, #3 in The Philippines, #5 in Honk Kong and Sweden, #9 in Ireland, and #10 in Germany and Australia.
On the track were Al Jardine on lead vocal with backing vocals by Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, and Mike Love. Instrumentation was provided by session musicians The Wrecking Crew — and a great bunch it was. It included Bill PIttman and Glen Campbell ( guitar), Billy Strange (ukulele), Ray Pholman (bass guitar), Leon Russel (piano), Hal Blaine (drums and timbales), and Jay Migliori (baritone saxophone). The vocal session is also infamous for the drunken Murray Wilson rant that includes the classic slam to Brian: “I’m a genius, too.” It surely was not a welcome distraction.
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