Melodies..Harmonies..Wow! THE BEACH BOYS - Sloop John B REACTION - First time hearing

[@jayestahnke9917]

The John B was named for Captain John Bethel. She sank in 1900 in Governor's Harbor, Bahamas and she still lies there. Artifacts taken from her bones in 1926 are on display at Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas. Great version of this song.

[@stevensprunger3422]

Oh ma’am thanks for that I gotta go there if I ever make enough money‼️‼️

[@jayestahnke9917]

@Steven sprunger. You and me both. Captain Bethel's home still stands, still privately owned, and available for $1800 to $2100 a week. It overlooks the harbor where the John B lies. I love songs with a real story behind them and you can still explore this story after all these years.

[@WINKlerEnterprises]

Al Jardine of the Beach Boys is a big Kingston Trio fan, Jardine brought to Brian Wilson his arrangement of the Kingston Trio's "The Wreck of the John B," putting additional chords into the song. The Beach Boys' electrified version has the energy of the night of the narrative. The Kingston Trio's acoustic version (guitars and conga drums) has the laid back sound of the wasted "morning after." Both great versions, but almost opposites in their moods.

[@rubroken]

Didn't the Kingston trio do Tom Dooley?

[@WINKlerEnterprises]

@@rubroken Yes, Tom Dooley and The Wreck of the John B are on the same album, their very first one, simply titled, "The Kingston Trio."

[@rubroken]

@@WINKlerEnterprises Thanks, I remember Tom Dooley as a kid, my live in uncle was a fan of gunfighter ballads and heard this song often....great memories

[@revsharkie]

@@rubroken Tom Dooley is based on a true story. Doc Watson recorded a slightly different version on his first (I think) album. The Kingston Trio's version is based on Frank Proffitt's version, recorded by Frank and Anne Warner. When Kingston Trio made it a bit, it was the Warners who pushed to get royalties paid to Proffitt's estate. He and Doc Watson were both from the area where the original crime happened, and Doc had a relative who'd been at the bedside of someone who either was, or revealed the identity of, the actual killer of Laura Foster. Doc believed Tom Dula was innocent as a result.

[@rubroken]

@@revsharkie Thank you for the information. I read somewhere about a Tom Dula but didn't know he was the subject of the song. Again, thanks for history lesson!

[@John_Chu]

It's a Bahamian folk song from Nassau that was first "collected" by the English poet Richard LeGallienne in 1916 as "John B. Sails."

[@stevensprunger3422]

Thank you for that information I really appreciate that

[@melaniesweeten5401]

This song always puts me in a good mood, even on the worst days.

[@Imadrummin]

Sloop John B is top notch in my book. The music is gorgeous. Lyrics well done.

[@margaretmaskara9002]

as a Beach Boys fan, I would say that when I talk with people who aren't really into The Beach Boys -they do like this song the best

[@drdr76]

This is one of their songs that at times pops into my head and plays over and over; the other two: Good Vibrations and Help Me Rhonda.

[@ericanderson8886]

From that landmark album "Pet Sounds" one of the best of the sixties.

[@Richardarthur86]

The harmonies in this song are from another level.

[@cheryla7480]

Harri the song originated in the Bahamas, and was called “The John B Sails”.

[@dwhite849]

Pet Songs is one of those albums that stand more than the test of time. It was transformational - and done in response to the Beatles surge of creativity

[@alanmusicman3385]

Pet Sounds

[@Telukin]

I'll never forget my dad and uncle singing this while drunk. Happy times, even though I was too young to understand.

[@marybaillie8907]

This made me jump for joy. Love The Beach Boys. A great song from one of their most amazing albums. Each song on the album very worthy of discovery. Their harmonies so beautiful, the melody catchy and instruments on point. Every word engraved in my mind. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and friend. I'm sorry I couldn't catch your name. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@rhiahlMT]

I remember this song from the 60s. It was on a juke box at a gasthaus in Bad Aibling, Germany. Dad was career military and the guys would get off work and go there. They played this song over and over. That and The Guardsmen with Snoopy vs. Red Baron song were favorites.

[@Dee-JayW]

Another great song!

[@denisemay6807]

Also same jukebox, same time: Natural Man by Lou Rawls-memories

[@rhiahlMT]

@@denisemay6807 You were in Bad Aibing?

[@stevensprunger3422]

Wow wow as far as where is Germany wow so I was here I graduated in 1972 so I heard this song and good vibrations I didn’t really realize until you said that this was an international global hit

[@rhiahlMT]

@@stevensprunger3422 Well, I don't know about international. The Gasthaus where the jukebox was had a primarily US Army clientele. So, I'm sure it was songs that were popular with them.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

My favorite Beach Boys song. Great choice. ✌️❤️🎶

[@lisannebaumholz5028]

This is a folk song from the Bahamas in the Caribbean, covered wonderfully by the Beach Boys in 1966. This song is permanently imprinted in me because the summer that this song was popular, my parents were in the process of splitting up. My sister was 13, I was 9 -- our dad took us camping which we grew up doing and loved. Whether it was due to our parents' imminent breakup (which I was not really aware of at the time) or puberty-related issues, my sister spent the better of our 2-week camping trip in the car listening to (AM) radio music. Sloop John B was played constantly and I think the refrain resonated deeply with my sister. She really, really wanted to go home...

[@stevensprunger3422]

Oh yes AM radio so here before 1972 that’s all we had we had top 20 they play 20 songs over and over again and this was one of them oh my God beautiful song also good vibrations oh my goodness

[@ANNEAVES]

I'm also very fond of their catchy tune "Be True To Your School"

[@cojaysea]

I’ve been recommending that one . I love that song . The harmony and arrangement, killer.

[@827dusty]

All of them are great, but Karl, and Brian Wilson are special. This is one of their best ever. Thanks, Harri

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

I think this song came onto the Beach Boys’ radar through the Kingston Trio’s version thanks to Al Jardine, who was a folkie.

[@christinerobinson9372]

It's a bit confusing, but the music was composed by Brian Wilson, the poem was included in Carl Sandburg's "The American Songbook", and Lee Hays of The Weavers is also listed. And. Wikipedia also has a listing for Sloop John B, originally a Bahamian folk song. You may have heard it as The John B. Sails.

[@NathanVeenstra]

I’m not sure whether Brian Wilson can claim being the composer, as the melody already existed. It’s more likely that he arranged the Beach Boys version and got some writing credits for the arrangement. Even the harmonies on an early version by the Cleveland Simmons Group sound a lot like the harmonies in the Beach Boys version.

[@terryconnelly484]

One of my favorites when down at the beach near hatteras North Carolina outer banks... A whole different world if you've never been there .. check it out!

[@suemontague3151]

I absolutely love ❤️ this song 🎵

[@Bassman2353]

Yes, outstanding harmonies (of course - it's the Beach Boys). The bass line is an underappreciated star of the arrangement. Only Brian Wilson could have come up with it - and it blew Paul McCartney away. While one's ears will always be drawn to the vocals (and for reason), focus on the bass line as you listen again. Just amazing.

[@docmoondog]

And only the legendary Carol Kaye could have performed it SO DAMN perfectly. *chef's kiss*

[@lindabergman3127]

Agreed 💯 their Harmonies are fantastic and so are the Little River Band songs😁

[@Cynthia...]

Love the Beach Boys Sharla. Great choice!

[@hairyhondaman]

I used to have a songbook of 500 folk songs. According to it, this song is over 100 years old, and is thought to have originated in the Caribbean. The originator is unknown. Thank you for your reaction. 👍👍

[@biggmaqq]

I've been asking folks like you to play this song for months and you've finally done it. Congratulations. This might be my favorite Beach Boys song.

[@victorcowboywest]

It is an old Bahamian folk song about a 16 foot vessel called the "Sloop John B." name after Welshman John Bethel (1647).

[@jeffreyisenberg830]

Love the Beach Boys and saw them perform when I was a teenager. A funny memory I have from this song which I never forgot. At 3:16 in the video there is a sound in the backround that I mistakenly thought was my mom calling my name [Jeff]. I was in my room playing this song and thought my mom was calling me from downstairs. When I ask her what she wanted, she said she didn't call me. I told her she did, and we went round and round on that one. I didn't realize until I played the record the next time that it was part of the song, lol.

[@davidtatunghuang1191]

Thank you for your good reactions! Please react to Wouldn't It Be Nice, Help Me Rhonda, Surfer Girl, Surfing U S A..........by this great band. Thank you so much!

[@debramartin1583]

Gosh, I haven't heard this in ages. What a treat! Many thanks!

[@glennanderson7795]

This LP was the best of the last century! So good, it was released in both mono and stereo versions! Superb choice and so much more to enjoy! Thank you & VBW x

[@JimiBurleigh]

It's a great rock and roll take on a Bahamian (I think) folk song. The folk group The Kingsman had a hit in the late 50s with a more folksy version of the song. That may be what you remember hearing. Al Jardine was a big folk music fan. He arranged it into a more rock and roll thing. The bass guitar (Carol Kaye) and drums (Hal Blaine) are masterfully laying down a groove. All of the musicians on this song are members of the legendary "Wrecking Crew".

[@Blend42]

Just wanted to clarify while Al Jardine loved the song and lobbied for Brian to do a version, it was Brian that put together this whole arrangement. Also there are two bassists on Sloop John B, Carol Kaye playing electric bass and Lyle Ritz playing double bass too.

[@ANNEAVES]

I was a teenager in their hay day. Best of times 🥰 I heard you say the part where he sang "I wanna go home, let me go home " I wonder if you might be thinking of the old Bobby Bare song " Detroit City ( I Wanna Go Home)"

[@mathieubuchholtz460]

Wow, thanks a lot. Since I heard this gem in 1966 was bewitched. What a haunting rendition!

[@ToddSauve]

My favourite Beach Boys song, and I have a lot of favourites from them! 👌

[@kittyprydekissme]

It's a folk song from the Bahamas. The Beach Boys definitely did the best version I've heard, but I really like the Johnny Cash version, too. It's very different. You should check it out.

[@michaeld8573]

The song was first sung by Barry McGuire who wrote the song with P F Sloan.

[@dagmar.6954]

I grew up with The Beach Boy's music & had a lot of their records. Brian Wilson was the genius songwriter of the group. They span many decades but I love their early stuff from the 60's-70's. Their music conveys such happy innocent days of youth (surfing, cars, romance). They had tons of hits such as "Surfin' U.S.A.", "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Surfin' Safari", "I Get Around", "California Girls", "Help Me, Rhonda", "Barbara Ann", "Fun Fun Fun", "Little Deuce Coupe", "In My Room" etc.

[@heathermccann3617]

Thank you for reviewing this wonderful song.

[@thetonupsband9053]

Al Jardine was a fan of the Kingston Trio who did the song and Brian Wilson re arranged it based on the Kingston Trio version. That’s probably the version you are thinking of that you’ve before. Kingston Trio

[@lastrada52]

You can hear the concern The Beatles had when they heard this album by The Beach Boys. It raised the eyebrows of producer George Martin. This album influenced The Beatles so much that they had to create Sgt Pepper. But one thing to remember -- The Beatles were up against one man -- composer Brian Wilson. This was a cover of a traditional West Indies song, rewritten to make it more of a pop song with an arrangement that sparkled. The Beach Boys made it a classic. Great assessment HarriBest.

[@DelEast740]

CONGRATS on the 100,000 followers. It is good to watch people high on the intelligence scale digest music and point out things to the amateur ear. Your reactions are both educational and entertaining

[@edcastillo9342]

This song was recorded a few years earlier by The Kingston Trio..Although it's an old Bahamian folk song...

[@debbiechang5781]

Such a great “feel good” song. Thanks for requesting this 🌺✌️

[@nancyweber6610]

Listen to the whole album❤

[@yamforlife]

love it!!! one of my favourites!!

[@JRoss707]

There was a country song originally written by Bobby Bear called Detroit City, where the classic chorus ended with, “Ohhh, I wanna go home.” This might be the song you were familiar with.

[@peterzimmer9140]

I’m pretty sure the version by Gary Lewis and the Playboys is what you were remembering.

[@davidtatunghuang1191]

Yes this is another great band! 💕

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Pet Sounds was a great album, and Sloop John B was one of my favorite tracks.

[@davidschecter5247]

Nobody listens to "The Little Girl I Once Knew" from 1965. Brilliant Brian WIlson song/production. It had dead-air stops in it, presumably the reason it stalled at #20 on the charts. Deserved to be Top Five at least.

[@jamesnorrisbarrett8927]

gotta love that bass clarinet holding down the bottom

[@andreaschmall5560]

"Sail on Sailor" is another great Beach Boy song.

[@stevensprunger3422]

Yes yes yes Harri Harry It’s a joy sharing these things with you because we learn so much I learned a lot from you from all the people that texted you wow thank you so much it’s a beautiful song it’s the first one I ever heard I have no idea it went back in the past and the distance to all these other wonderful people when I first heard it way back in 1964 whenever it was

[@georgeleiter6277]

"Sloop John B" (originally published as "The John B. Sails") is a Bahamian folk song from Nassau. A transcription by Richard Le Gallienne was published in 1916, and a version was included in Carl Sandburg's The American Songbag in 1927. Since the early 1950s there have been many recordings of the song with variant titles including "I Want to Go Home" and "Wreck of the John B".

[@Dee-JayW]

@Harri!! Thank you from Canada 🇨🇦 this is my fave BB song! Wish you did a LIVE version! It has Dennis Wilson (RIP) on drums

[@ohanaathletics8953]

There's only two songs that can get me to cry happy tears every single time I hear them. This and Elton John's "I Guess Why They Call It The Blues". This one just reminds me so much of my own grandfather.

[@danlefou]

The instrumental break was used at a moment of celebration in the "Calendar Girls" movie.

[@karenmessina4361]

You may be thinking of "Show me the Way to go Home" - you probably heard it on Jaws, but there are a couple of KZbin videos with The Andrews Sisters doing it, as well as another group.

[@LianaStam-zc9ek]

the music is played by the wrecked crew. a bench of studio musicians. they played of hundred of songs in that time. bass player was a girl. Carol Kaye. she played guitar and bass guitar. om many songs

[@freddieheremans651]

Yes Harri, this is what they call a Trditional song.

[@colinmacaoidh9583]

The one you likely heard before was probably The Kingston Trio version, it got a lot of airplay, back when

[@davidmaholchic6146]

A favorite of mine here hope you love love you

[@craigplatel813]

For fun go find the fendertones version. They do a great near perfect beach boys style version. Couple of the guys play with the beach boys. It's a gun video showing them recording it in a house. The beach boys also do a version in the studio much later I think just Brian Wilson and Al jardine. Scaled back but still a very nice listen

[@benholmes2533]

Dwight Yoakam, one of the most iconic country singers alive, did a great cover as well!

[@benholmes2533]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5WTaquvbcuZjpo

[@michaelteret4763]

I never liked boats, so I always loved this song.

[@melaniesweeten5401]

I grew up near where the Beach Boys started, so I always loved this song too.

[@drohegda]

Harri this was a very old folk song from Nassau in the Bahamas, you might have heard Van Morrison and Irish skiffle singer Lonnie Donegan sing this together. Thanks for the video Harri. 😎

[@americanaforever6725]

Fantastic summer song!! Thanks 🙏 so much. I hope to learn more about the history of the song.

[@jbs454]

This was one of first albums I heard as a kid and fell in love with beaches and hot rods

[@AnyoneForToast]

I am a fan of Deep Purple, Motorhead, Anthrax and so forth. But I still rate the Beach Boys as one of the greatest bands ever. Certainly the greatest "pop" band anyway, whatever that means. Arguments below.....

[@kathleenvaughn3630]

Haven't heard that in AGES! Thank you for reacting to it.

[@stevenmalham2234]

I think it is a nautical sea shanty, perhaps British, covered miraculously by The Beach Boys.

[@dougca7086]

Carl Sandberg Lee Hayes and Brian Wilson were the composers of this song

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

I ADORE this.

[@merlinathrawes746]

The Beach Boys did not create this song, they merely spun their take on it, making it their own.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

SIR-----------THE KINGSTON TRIO DID IT 1ST-------------THAT BRIAN WILSON ON VERSE 1-----------MIKE LOVE ON VERSE 2. ---------------------MJL, 75 Y/O

[@iowafinn2602]

This song was on one of The Kingston Trio albums. I think it was recorded in 1958. I don't think it was released as a single.

[@KTRS]

In this album especially Brian’s absolute genius in the recording studio is evident. All the sounds - inspired no less than a little group called the Beatles

[@michaelglick1287]

My favorite Beach Boys song.

[@danmoreno37]

The Kingston Trio did a version of the song in 1958.

[@marktaronji4694]

This has always been the definitive Beach Boys song IMO

[@desishinavar1718]

I'm not sure where to add a suggestion. If you haven't listened to Utopia's "Love is the Answer", you should try it. Todd Rundgren (another "blue-eyed soul" musician/singer) formed this band. If suggestions should go to a specific spot, please let me know. I love your reactions - both with and without your friend. :)

[@mt3311]

The Folk group The Kingston Trio first sang this song.

[@glenobrien894]

John Fogerty Lead Singer of Credence Clearwater Revival I did not know he had done a version of Sloop John B

[@barryanderson3910]

How about a cover of a cover? Try the Fender Tones truly excellent cover of this song. You may even find a member or two from the Beach Boys current band participating, one of which is a former member of the Cowsills.

[@timtutt2670]

It was the kings man trio. Definitely

[@tpaw6908]

I'm glad to see you listen to all different songs growing up in that area it was all about the story , beat and you felt the song. Go back further look up Gary Lewis and the playboys, Jery Lewis comedians son.

[@karowak1]

Dwight Yoakam

[@denisemay6807]

LOL: it sounded like you said, “the bitch boys!” I was HOPING you’d do this one. It must be my favorite by them. I was so excited to see this in my cue! I thought you would love it as I do. It’s kinda like a mini-carnival. The Kingston Trio was big like in the 50s snd early 60s. I believe they have done this one.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Great reaction

[@samuraikaoss1455]

Had to go and listen to the Laurel Aitkins version.

[@neldablanco1663]

Sometimes I sing the refrain "I want to go home" close to the time to go home!

[@richardlawhorne5937]

Kingston Trio did a cover before the Beach Boys.

[@kristindunstan172]

If you haven't reacted to a group called Home Free yet, you should listen to them. They cover a wide range of genres including country/bluegrass and 90s Pop. You could start with End of the Road and/or Man of Constant Sorrow to hear songs from very different genres they have done amazing arrangements of.

[@janepiper-lunt7655]

You may have heard it here “It has been popular amongst English football fans since the mid-2000s when Liverpool adapted the song to sing about their 2005 Champions League final triumph in Istanbul.[citation needed] It was subsequently adopted by the supporters of English non-league team F.C. United of Manchester as a club anthem in 2007.[22][23]” wikipedia It was also a Bahamian folk song.

[@alanmusicman3385]

I doubt there is anyone in Europe or the Americas who has never heard this record knowingly or otherwise. I heard somewhere that there are certain records which are always playing on at least one broadcast or streaming station somewhere in the world at all times of day or night - and a few which are always on multiple stations at any time of day or night. The Beatles "Yesterday", Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" were among the latter and so were "Sloop John B" and "Wouldn't It be Nice".

[@elizabethmuhleisen357]

Think they played this song in the movie “Forrest Gump” (the Vietnam section)

[@grant1739]

Kiss- War Machine

[@mannyromero4511]

Another surfer/sea song...by the Movement.......Take Me To The Ocean

[@timbaker6540]

Chicos de la playa

[@rickgibson4641]

Harry , I couldn’t help it , had to laugh. It sounds like you are calling then the Bitch Boys. Please don’t be offended , I think you’re great but that was funny 😄

[@denisemay6807]

That was MY response too! (Great song!)

[@diamondwchamp]

its a Bahamian folk song from Nassau

[@williameckert1623]

In later years the Lemmonheads would do this song.