Help Me, Rhonda
| "Help Me, Rhonda" | |
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| Song |
| "Help Me, Rhonda" | |
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| Song |
"Help Me, Rhonda" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for their American pop band The Beach Boys. The song is notable for being the first Beach Boys song other than on their Christmas Album and first single to feature a lead vocal by Al Jardine. It was first released in March 1965 on the album The Beach Boys Today! as "Help Me, Ronda". By that time, it had already been re-recorded; this version was released as a single through Capitol Records in April 1965, re-titled with the more well-known "Rhonda" spelling.
The single peaked at number one in the United States, becoming their second U.S. number one single after "I Get Around". It peaked at number twenty-seven in the United Kingdom. The song is featured on most Beach Boys hits compilations; typically the single version is used.
Recording
The original version of the song was recorded over two dates at Western Recording Studios in Hollywood on the January 8 and the January 19, 1965, with Chuck Britz as the engineer and production by Brian Wilson.
The instrumental track has Carl Wilson, Bill Pitman, and Glen Campbell on guitar, Billy Strange on ukulele, Ray Pohlman on bass guitar, Leon Russell on piano, Hal Blaine on drums and timbales, Julius Wechter on claves, Billy Lee Riley on harmonica, Steve Douglas and Plas Johnson on tenor saxophone, and Jay Migliori on baritone saxophone. Al Jardine sang the lead vocal with backing vocals by Carl, Dennis and Brian Wilson, and Mike Love.
The song was originally considered to be an album cut only; however, radio stations began to play the track and Brian decided to rework and re-record. The single version of the song was recorded at Universal and Radio Recorders studios in Hollywood on the February 24, 1965, again with Chuck Britz as the engineer and Brian Wilson as producer. Featured on the instrumental track were regular Wrecking Crew members such as Hal Blaine on drums and Carol Kaye on bass guitar. Beach Boys who contributed to the instrumental track were Carl Wilson (guitar) and Brian Wilson (acoustic piano and Hammond B-3). The single version features Al Jardine on lead vocals with backing vocals by Carl, Dennis and Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Bruce Johnston.
Interruption by Murry Wilson
The recording session of this song was infamously interrupted by the Wilson brothers' father, Murry, who openly criticized the Boys' enthusiasm. His criticisms drove Brian Wilson to the breaking point to where Brian screamed an expletive, removed his headphones and confronted his father. Shortly after defending his actions, Murry Wilson left the studio and The Beach Boys continued with the session. The recording reel continued to roll and recorded the entire confrontation which circulates among fans.[1]
Versions and releases
The first version of the song appears on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! as "Help Me, Ronda", released March 8, 1965. This version runs over three minutes and has a number of false endings with the volume fading in and out. This version is included on the Endless Summer compilation album.
The single version was first released as a single on April 5, 1965. It was subsequently included on the Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!), released June 28, 1965. The version has a noticeably different arrangement, and one word changed in the lyrics. The instrumental backing track of this version was released in 1968 on the band's Stack-O-Tracks album.
Live versions
After becoming just The Beach Boys second number one hit in the United States, it immediately became a regular in the band's live set. The song has been released on two Beach Boys official live albums: 1973's The Beach Boys In Concert and Good Timin': Live at Knebworth England 1980. The song was also released by Brian Wilson on his own 2000 live album Live at the Roxy Theatre.
The song was performed by Ricky Martin at 2001's "An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson".
Cover versions
A slow, reflective cover of the song appears on the 1998 album Toxic Swamp And Other Love Songs by Kenny Young And The Eggplants.
In Pop Culture
- In the 1997 remake of That Darn Cat, the song is used to help Patti Randall figure out the riddle of the "Hell" watch realizing the message really means, "Help".
- In an episode of Seinfeld, "The Soul Mate," Jerry says, "Oh, help me Rhonda," in response to George's comment that his boss believes George killed Susan.
- One episode of season one of the CW series 90210 is titled "Help Me Rhonda". The episode is centred over a guest appearance of a character with that name.
- In the early 1990s a Honda commercial made a parody of this song, repeatedly singing "Help me Honda"
References
- In Season 1 of the 90210 spin- off, 'Help Me, Rhonda' is the title of one of the episodes.
- Also sung by Kishore Kumar in a Bollywood movie Bombay to Goa see (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_to_goa)
See also
External links
- Recording Session of Help Me, Rhonda Animated Version
