Wonderful (song)

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For other songs with the same name see Wonderful.

"Wonderful" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks for the American pop band The Beach Boys. It was to be included on the ill-fated 1966-1967 SMiLE album. A reworked version was released on their 1967 album Smiley Smile. A subsequent recording was later released for the 2004 album SMiLE.

[edit] History

The original version was based around a harpsichord. The Smiley Smile version contains sustained organ chords as nearly the only accompaniment. It also includes a laughing interlude.

The SMiLE version was completed and performed with the rest of the finally completed SMiLE songs, live in February of 2004 by Brian Wilson and his band, consisting mostly of members of the Wondermints with prior Beach Boys guitarist/vocalist Jeff Foskett. A studio version of the SMiLE arrangement was subsequently recorded and included on the SMiLE studio album when it was released later in 2004.

Brian Wilson claims that he and Van Dyke Parks wrote the song along with "Heroes and Villains" "Cabin Essence" and "Surf's Up" in a giant sandbox with a piano in it that Wilson had built in his living room.

[edit] Credits

  • Written by: Brian Wilson/Van Dyke Parks
  • Album: Smiley Smile 1967 / SMiLE 2004
  • Time: 2 minutes 21 seconds
  • Produced by: The Beach Boys (Smiley Smile)/ Brian Wilson, Darian Sahanaja (SMiLE)

Performers: SMiLE Version:

  • Brian Wilson - Lead Vocals, and keyboards
  • Scott Bennett - vocals, keyboards
  • Nelson Bragg - vocals, percussion
  • Jeffery Foskett - vocals
  • Probyn Gregory - trumpet
  • Jim Hines - drums
  • Bob Lizik - bass
  • Paul Mertons - clarinet
  • Taylor Mills - vocals
  • Darian Sahanaja - vocals, keyboards
  • Nick Walusko - vocals, guitar
  • Stockholm Strings 'N' Horns

[edit] See also

Smiley Smile Track Listing
Heroes and Villains | Vegetables | Fall Breaks and Back to Winter (Woody Woodpecker Symphony) | She's Goin' Bald | Little Pad
Good Vibrations | With Me Tonight | Wind Chimes | Gettin' Hungry | Wonderful | Whistle In
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