Barbara Ann
"Barbara Ann" | |
---|---|
Song | |
B-side | "I'm So Lonely" |
"Barbara Ann" is a song written by Fred Fassert that was first recorded by the Regents as "Barbara-Ann". Their version was released in 1961 and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The most famous cover version was recorded in 1965 by the Beach Boys, issued as a single from their album Beach Boys' Party! with the B-side "Girl Don't Tell Me".
The Beach Boys version
"Barbara Ann" | |
---|---|
Song | |
B-side | "Girl Don't Tell Me" |
The Beach Boys recorded their version on September 23, 1965, five days after actress and model Barbara Anne Feldon made her first television appearance on Get Smart.[original research?] Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean is featured on lead vocals along with Brian Wilson. Torrance is not credited on the album, but Carl Wilson is heard saying "Thanks, Dean" at the song's conclusion.[1]
The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week ending January 1, 1966. The week ending January 29, the song leaped from #15 to #2 and was in position to replace "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles as the next #1 song. However, "My Love" by Petula Clark unexpectedly vaulted into the #1 position the week ending February 5, 1966. Consequently, "Barbara Ann" peaked at #2 in the US Billboard Hot 100 (#1 in Cash Box and Record World) and at #3 in the UK in January 1966.[2] It also topped the charts in Germany, Switzerland and Norway. It was The Beach Boys' biggest hit in Italy, reaching #4.[citation needed]
Variations of the Beach Boys' recording have seen release. A version without the party sound effects can be found on the Hawthorne, CA album. The group sang the song as an encore on their Live in London album. As a solo artist, Brian has a rendition on his live album Live at the Roxy Theatre, and in 2001, performed it himself, with the ensemble, on An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson.[citation needed]
In 1987, the group re-recorded the song as "Here Come the Cubs" with re-written lyrics about the Chicago Cubs.[3] It became the team's official theme that year, replacing "Go, Cubs, Go".[4]
Personnel
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine: backing vocals, guitar
- Bruce Johnston: backing vocals
- Mike Love: backing vocals
- Brian Wilson: lead vocals, bass
- Carl Wilson: backing vocals, guitar
- Dennis Wilson: backing vocals
- Additional musicians and production staff
- Hal Blaine: "his famous ashtray"
- Dean Torrence: lead vocals
Chart positions
Chart | Peak position |
---|---|
Austrian Singles Chart[5] | 1 |
Belgian Singles Chart[6] | 11 |
Dutch Albums Chart[7] | 17 |
German Singles Chart[8] | 1 |
Italian Singles Chart[9] | 5 |
Norwegian Singles Chart[10] | 1 |
Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
UK Singles Chart[11] | 3 |
US Billboard Hot 100[2] | 2 |
Other versions
- 1962 – Jan & Dean
- 1966 – The Who, Ready Steady Who
- 1975 – Martin Cicus (as "Marylène", with French lyrics)
- 1989 – Blind Guardian, Follow the Blind
"Bomb Iran"
The song was parodied as "Bomb Iran" by various musicians, including Vince Vance and the Valiants, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.[12]
"Banana Song"
A parody of the song, known as the Banana Song, was performed by the Minions from the Despicable Me film franchise in the viral promotion for Despicable Me 2.
References
- ^ Show 20 - Forty Miles of Bad Road: Some of the best from rock 'n' roll's dark ages. [Part 1] : UNT Digital Library
- ^ a b "The Beach Boys - Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ BEACH BOYS - Here Come The Cubs (1987 Cubs Radio Theme Song)
- ^ Zarefsky, Marc (October 5, 2007). "'Go, Cubs, Go' a staple in Chicago". MLB.com. Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ "austriancharts.at The Beach Boys – Barbara Ann". Hung Medien (in German). Archived from the original (ASP) on October 18, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "ultratop.be The Beach Boys – Barbara Ann" (ASP). Hung Medien. Ultratop. Retrieved August 23, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl The Beach Boys – Barbara Ann". Hung Medien. MegaCharts. Archived from the original (ASP) on November 8, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "German Singles Charts". mountvernonandfairway.de. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
- ^ "Italian Singles Charts". mountvernonandfairway.de. Retrieved 13 November 2007.
- ^ "norwegiancharts.com The Beach Boys – Barbara Ann". Hung Medien. VG-lista. Archived from the original (ASP) on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Beach Boys". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ Declain McCullagh (April 22, 2007). McCain's 'Bomb Iran' song was anti-Muslim? News.com. Accessed 2007-11-05.