Love You (album)

Love You is the twenty-first studio album by the American rock group The Beach Boys, released in April 1977. Almost entirely written and performed by Brian Wilson, it sharply divides critics' opinions from then and now on the project. Some feel that this record is Wilson's real return to form in the 1970s. Others feel it marks the point where Wilson seemingly lost the ability to produce and sing at a professional level. A pop/rock album full of Brian's recent songs, Love You has a unique and distinct sound. It was during the album's recording that Wilson made his awkward Saturday Night Live appearance on November 27, introducing "Love Is a Woman" for the first time.

Not all of the songs were strictly new, a few having been written during the 15 Big Ones period, but more specifically "Good Time", which hailed from the 1970 Sunflower era, and "Ding Dang", which was co-written with The Byrds' former leader Roger McGuinn and recorded in late 1973. "Good Time" is a particularly anomalous inclusion because, unlike the rest of Love You, it features Brian's voice as it sounded before it was affected by heavy tobacco and cocaine use in 1973-75.

Considered by some to be The Beach Boys' last truly great album, others have found the release's unconventional sound difficult to swallow. Released just after announcing the band's new record deal with CBS Records (now Sony Music), Reprise Records put little promotion into the album, and with the advent of disco and punk, The Beach Boys' commercial steam had run out once again. Peaking at a disappointing #53 in the US, and #28 in the UK, Love You was overlooked and soon forgotten by the mainstream pop music audience. However, Brian Wilson fans continue to claim for it an awkward beauty and high level of musical creativity. Peter Buck of R.E.M. called it his favorite Beach Boys album, on liner notes of the CD re-release.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Brian Wilson, except where noted. 

Singles

• "Honkin' Down the Highway" b/w "Solar System" (Brother 1389), May 30, 1977

Love You is now paired on CD with 15 Big Ones.

Sources

• Surf's Up: The Beach Boys On Record Brad Elliott
• 15 Big Ones/Love You CD booklet notes, Dennis Diken and Peter Buck, c.2000.
• "The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience", Timothy White, c. 1994.
• "Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story", Brian Wilson and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
• "Top Pop Singles 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
• "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
• Allmusic.com

C albums