Kiss Me, Baby
| "Kiss Me, Baby" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| A-side | "Help Me, Rhonda" |
"Kiss Me, Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was first released on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! and later as the B-side of the US number one hit "Help Me, Rhonda". Thomas Ward of AllMusic calls the song a product of Wilson's "dense, multi-layered confessional songs, with adult themes and exploring issues previously only developed by performers such as Bob Dylan".[1]
Recording
The song was recorded over two dates at Western Recorders, both produced by Brian Wilson. Arranged by Brian Wilson, the instrumental track most likely was recorded on December 16, 1964, with Chuck Britz engineering. The vocals were most likely overdubbed at a session on January 15, 1965. On the verses it features the group singing in unison with Brian Wilson and Mike Love featured on lead vocals on the chorus. The backing vocals are provided by Brian, Carl & Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine.[citation needed]
Personnel
 |
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – harmony and backing vocals
- Mike Love – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead and backing vocals; piano
- Carl Wilson – harmony and backing vocals; lead guitar
- Dennis Wilson – harmony and backing vocals
- Additional musicians and production staff
- Hal Blaine – drums, temple block
- Peter Christ – English horn
- Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone
- David Duke – French horn
- Carol Kaye – bass guitar
- Barney Kessel – 12-string guitar
- Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone
- Bill Pitman – acoustic guitar
- Ray Pohlman – bass guitar
- Leon Russell – piano
- Billy Strange – electric guitar
- Julius Wechter – vibraphone, bell-tree
Single release
"Kiss Me, Baby" was released in April 1965 in the United States as the B-side of the band's second US number one hit, "Help Me, Rhonda". In the United Kingdom, the song was also released as the B-side of the "Help Me, Rhonda" single, which managed to chart at the number 27 position in Britain.[citation needed]
Album and alternate releases
The song was first released on an album in 1965 on the band's Today! album. A stereo remix of the song was released on the 1998 Endless Harmony Soundtrack. A Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound version of the song was released on the Endless Harmony DVD as a bonus track. The track, along with the other 5.1 surround sound mixes, were produced and mixed by Mark Linett. An a cappella mix of the song was released on the 2001 archival release Hawthorne, CA.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Ward, Thomas. "Kiss Me, Baby". AllMusic.
