Let Him Run Wild
| "Let Him Run Wild" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Single by The Beach Boys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| from the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A-side | "California Girls" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Released | July 5, 1965 (album) July 12, 1965 (single) |
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| Format | 7" vinyl | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded | March 20–May 28, 1965, United Western Recorders and CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genre | sunshine pop | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length | 2:20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Label | Capitol | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Brian Wilson, Mike Love | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Beach Boys singles chronology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Let Him Run Wild" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) and as the B-side to "California Girls". Sibling bandmates Carl and Dennis Wilson later praised the song, calling it the point where they began to take notice of Brian's abilities.[1][2]
Production
A soulful ballad,[3] the song is said to have been inspired by Burt Bacharach[4][5] while also foreshadowing the relatively complex music dynamics of Pet Sounds several months later.[6][7] Author Jim Fusilli explained, "[it] is a gorgeous track, albeit a bit busy at the chorus when compared to what's ahead, with major seventh chords that ring beautifully. The song's subtle horn charts, prominent tremelo bass, the vibraphone, and the sweet, pensive section after the chorus portend the sounds of a forthcoming classic."[8] MOJO wrote: "With key and tempo changes bolder and weirder than anything before, this was Brian's signpost to the psychedelic country up ahead."[9]
With production by Brian Wilson and engineering by Chuck Britz,[10] the instrumental was recorded on March 20, 1965 at United Western Recorders, Hollywood.[11] A few weeks later, vocals were overdubbed at CBS Columbia Square with a final mix occurring on May 28.[10] Brian later reflected that his vocal on the track was too shrill, saying, "I sounded like a little girl,"[12] and "I sounded like a fairy," naming it his least favorite Beach Boys recording.[13]
Personnel
Sourced from Musician's Union AFM contract sheets and surviving session audio, documented by Craig Slowinski.[10][14]
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – harmony and backing vocals, handclaps
- Bruce Johnston – harmony and backing vocals, handclaps
- Mike Love – harmony and backing vocals, handclaps
- Brian Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocals, handclaps
- Carl Wilson – harmony and backing vocals, handclaps, twelve-string guitar
- Dennis Wilson – harmony and backing vocals, handclaps, tambourine
- Additional musicians
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Variations
- An instrumental version is found on the 1968 Stack-O-Tracks compilation.
- The 1990–2001 reissue of Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) includes among the bonus tracks a version of the song with alternate backing vocals.[7]
- The 2007 compilation The Warmth of the Sun featured the first stereo mix of the song.
- As a solo artist, Brian Wilson recorded a new version of the song for his 1998 album .
Cover versions
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- 1966 – The Fantastic Baggys, Ride the Wild Surf
- 1998 – Brian Wilson, Imagination
See also
References
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