Had to Phone Ya
"Had to Phone Ya" | |||||||
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Single by The Beach Boys | |||||||
from the album 15 Big Ones | |||||||
A-side | "It's O.K." | ||||||
Released | July 5, 1976 (album) August 30, 1976 (single)[1] |
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Format | Vinyl | ||||||
Recorded | March 30, 1976, Brother Studios, California |
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Genre | Baroque pop | ||||||
Length | 1:43 | ||||||
Label | Brother/Reprise | ||||||
Writer(s) | Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Diane Rovell | ||||||
Producer(s) | Brian Wilson | ||||||
The Beach Boys singles chronology | |||||||
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"Had to Phone Ya" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1976 album, 15 Big Ones and was the b-side to the single "It's O.K." The song originally had Diane Rovell listed as a cowriter, but her name was subsequently removed from songwriting credits in later releases.[2] She is still listed as co-writer in the Broadcast Music, Inc. database.[3]
The instrumental track of the Beach Boys' version was made available on Made in California in 2013.
Contents
Composition
Byron Preiss wrote of how it was written by Brian Wilson while his wife Marilyn was away in Europe.[4] Brian spoke about the song in 1995: <templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />
All I wanted to do was to make a person feel they were free to call at any time-if they felt the world was upside down, they could call and I could correct their world. In other words, I wanted to feel like I can call somebody and tell them, "Look, I’m swamped, I’m scared, I got all these emotions deep inside of me."[5]
Diane Rovell also contributed to the song's initial writing.[6]
All five members of the band take turns on lead vocals, with Mike Love handling the majority. Brian Wilson takes the closing segment, in which the key shifts from A to G. After an extended staccato vamp on a Gmaj7, the final section begins with an unusual chord sequence of Gmaj7, to B♭maj7, and E♭maj7, as Brian sings in a rough but passionate baritone, "Come on / Come on and answer the phone / Come on, come on!"
Lindsay Planer of Allmusic noted "Although the tune may sound uncomplicated, it is part of a larger sonic tapestry that combines the interaction of several simultaneous melodies." noting similarities to earlier Brian Wilson compositions "Good Vibrations" and "Love to Say Dada".[7]
Recording
The Beach Boys' version of "Had to Phone Ya" was recorded on March 30, 1976, at Brother Studios in the middle of the primary sessions for 15 Big Ones.[8] It was produced, arranged and conducted by Brian Wilson.
Personnel
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Mike Love – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocal; acoustic grand piano
- Carl Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Dennis Wilson – lead, harmony and backing vocals; drums
- Session musicians and production staff
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American Spring version
"Had to Phone Ya" | |
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Song |
"Had to Phone Ya" was originally recorded in 1973 by American Spring at Junior's Motel in Otho, Iowa.[citation needed] Their version was released as a bonus track for the CD reissue of the album Spring (1972).[citation needed]
References
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External links
- "Had to Phone Ya" review at Allmusic
- ↑ Badman, Keith. The Beach Boys. The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band: On Stage and in the Studio Backbeat Books, San Francisco, California, 2004. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6 p. 367
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- ↑ Had to Phone Ya, BMI
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- 1976 songs
- The Beach Boys songs
- Songs written by Brian Wilson
- Songs written by Mike Love
- Song recordings produced by Brian Wilson
- Songs about loneliness
- Songs about telephones