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 No. 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. Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean is featured on lead vocals along with Brian Wilson. Torrence 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 No. 15 to No. 2 and was in position to replace "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles as the next No. 1 song. However, "My Love" by Petula Clark unexpectedly vaulted into the No. 1 position the week ending February 5, 1966. Consequently, "Barbara Ann" peaked at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (No. 1 in Cash Box and Record World) and at No. 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 No. 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]
The Who perform "Barbara Ann" in the film The Kids Are Alright with Keith Moon on vocals. Moon, a massive Beach Boys fan but a notoriously limited singer, plays and sings much to the delight of his fellow band members.
Personnel
 |
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Bruce Johnston – backing vocals
- Mike Love – backing vocals, handclaps
- Brian Wilson – lead vocals, bass
- Carl Wilson – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Dennis Wilson – backing vocals, tambourine
- Additional musicians and production staff
- Dean Torrence – lead vocals
- Hal Blaine – ashtrays
Charts
|
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Other versions
- 1962 – Jan & Dean
- 1966 – The Who, Ready Steady Who
- 1975 – Martin Circus (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.[17]
References
- ^ Show 20 - Forty Miles of Bad Road: Some of the best from rock 'n' roll's dark ages. [Part 1] : UNT Digital Library Archived August 1, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "The Beach Boys - Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ BEACH BOYS - Here Come The Cubs (1987 Cubs Radio Theme Song)[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "ultratop.be The Beach Boys – Barbara Ann". Hung Medien. Ultratop. Archived from the original (ASP) on June 30, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1966-02-07. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- ^ "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=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Barbara Ann". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ Flavour of New Zealand, 20 May 1966
- ^ "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) - ^ http://www.rock.co.za/files/sa_charts_1969_1989_songs_(A-B).html
- ^ "Beach Boys". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 5, 1966
- ^ Musicoutfitters.com
- ^ Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 24, 1966
- ^ Declain McCullagh (April 22, 2007). McCain's 'Bomb Iran' song was anti-Muslim? News.com. Accessed 2007-11-05.
