Progressive Pop
The song “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys is about the frustration of the young who wish they were older and could run away to be together. Yet, it is upbeat and hopeful. Despite the simple sentiment, the production is a complex wall of sound. It features beautiful harmonies and a wide variety of instruments. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” was composed, arranged and produced by Beach Boy Brian Wilson with lyrics by Tony Asher and some help from Beach Boy Mike Love. It is a beautiful example of Sixties vocal surf rock.
The Beach Boys released “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” as the first track of their 1966 album Pet Sounds. They released it as a single backed with “God Only Knows,” although the sides were flipped in some countries (e.g., the U.K.). In 1966, the song went to #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #2 in Australian, #4 in Canada, #12 in New Zealand.
On lead vocals were Brian Wilson and Mike Love, who also was on backing vocals. On the backing vocals were Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson. Instrumentation came from the infamous Wrecking Crew studio musicians. The additional musician list is a long one: Hal Blaine (drums),Frank Capp (percussion, bells, tympani), Roy Caton (trumpet), Jerry Cole (a detuned 12-string guitar), Steve Douglas and Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone), Carl Fortina and France Marocco (accordion), Carol Kay (electric bass), Barney Kessel and Ray Pohlman (mandolin), Larry Knechtel (organ), Al de Lory (piano), Jay Migliori (baritone saxophone), Bill Pitman (guitar), and Lyle Ritz (string bass).
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