"Had to Phone Ya" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1976 album 15 Big Ones. It was written by Brian Wilson, his sister-in-law Diane Rovell, and Mike Love. The song was issued as the B-side to their single "It's O.K.". An earlier recording by the group American Spring was included as a bonus track on a later reissue of the album Spring (1972).
| "Had to Phone Ya" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Beach Boys | ||||
| from the album 15 Big Ones | ||||
| A-side | "It's O.K." | |||
| Released | August 30, 1976[1] | |||
| Recorded | March 30, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Brother (Santa Monica) | |||
| Length | 1:43 | |||
| Label | Brother/Reprise | |||
| Songwriters | Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Diane Rovell | |||
| Producer | Brian Wilson | |||
| The Beach Boys singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
| "Had to Phone Ya" | |
|---|---|
| Song by American Spring | |
| from the album Spring | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Recorded | 1973 |
| Length | 2:02 |
| Songwriters | Brian Wilson, Diane Rovell |
| Producer | Brian Wilson |
Background
editBrian Wilson and Mike Love wrote the song, with Diane Rovell also contributing.[2] Diane was originally listed as a cowriter, but her name was removed from songwriting credits in subsequent releases.[3] She is still listed as co-writer in the Broadcast Music, Inc. database.[4]
Byron Preiss described the song's creation by Brian Wilson while his wife Marilyn was away in Europe.[5] Brian spoke about the song in 1995:
All I wanted to do was to make a person feel they were free to call at any time-if they felt the world was upside down, they could call and I could correct their world. In other words, I wanted to feel like I can call somebody and tell them, "Look, I’m swamped, I’m scared, I got all these emotions deep inside of me."[6]
Lindsay Planer of Allmusic noted "Although the tune may sound uncomplicated, it is part of a larger sonic tapestry that combines the interaction of several simultaneous melodies." noting similarities to earlier Brian Wilson compositions "Good Vibrations" and "Love to Say Dada".[7] Musician Dennis Diken compared it to Wilson's "Trombone Dixie".[3]
"Had to Phone Ya" was originally recorded in 1973 by American Spring at Junior's Motel in Otho, Iowa.[citation needed] Their version was released as a bonus track for the CD reissue of the album Spring (1972).[citation needed]
Recording
editThe Beach Boys' version of "Had to Phone Ya" was recorded on March 30, 1976, at Brother Studios in the middle of the primary sessions for 15 Big Ones.[8] The lead vocals are swapped between the band members.[9] The instrumental track from this session was made available on the 2013 compilation Made in California.
Personnel
editPer 2026 liner notes.[3]
The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Mike Love – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocal; acoustic grand piano
- Carl Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Dennis Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocals; drums
Guest
- Marilyn Wilson – spoken word
Session musicians and production staff
- Arnold Belnick – violin
- Ed Carter – electric guitar
- Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone
- Dennis Dreith – clarinet
- Henry Ferber – violin
- Billy Hinsche – electric guitar
- William Kurasch – violin
- Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone
- Stephen Moffitt – sound engineer
- Jules Jacobs – clarinet
- Lyle Ritz – double bass
- Sidney Sharp – violin
- Bobby Shew – trumpet
- Julius Wechter – bongos
References
edit- ↑ Badman, Keith. The Beach Boys. The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band: On Stage and in the Studio Backbeat Books, San Francisco, California, 2004. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6 p. 367
- ↑ Lambert, Philip (2007). Inside the music of Brian Wilson: the songs, sounds, and influences of the Beach Boys' founding genius. Continuum. p. 311. ISBN 978-0-8264-1876-0.
- 1 2 3 Slowinski, Craig; Crerar, Will; Hoisington, Joshilyn; Brode, John (2026) We Gotta Groove: The Brother Studios Years (liner notes). The Beach Boys. California: Universal Music Group.
- ↑ Had to Phone Ya, BMI
- ↑ Preiss, Byron (1979). The Beach Boys (1st ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 122. ISBN 0345273982.
- ↑ "Brian Wilson interview". Record Collector. No. 185. January 1995.
- ↑ Planer, Lindsey. "Had to Phone Ya - The Beach Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- ↑ Doe, Andrew G. (2012). "GIGS76". Retrieved October 26, 2012.
- ↑ Carlin, Peter Ames (2006). Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Rodale. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-59486-320-2.