Our Prayer

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"Our Prayer"

Song by The Beach Boys from the album 20/20

Released

February 10, 1969

Recorded

September 19th, 1966, October 4, 1966; November 17th 1968

Genre

A Capella

Length

1:07

20/20 track listing

12 tracks
Side one "Do It Again" "I Can Hear Music" "Bluebirds over the Mountain" "Be with Me" "All I Want to Do" "The Nearest Faraway Place" Side two "Cotton Fields" "I Went to Sleep" "Time to Get Alone" "Never Learn Not to Love" "Our Prayer" "Cabinessence"

"Our Prayer"

Song by The Beach Boys from the album The Smile Sessions

Released

November 1, 2011

Recorded

September 19th, 1966, October 4, 1966

Label

Capitol

Producer

Brian Wilson

The Smile Sessions track listing

19 tracks
Side one "Our Prayer" "Gee" "Heroes and Villains" "Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)" "I'm In Great Shape" "Barnyard" "My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine)" "Cabin Essence" Side two "Wonderful" "Look (Song for Children)" "Child Is Father of the Man" "Surf's Up" Side three "I Wanna Be Around / Workshop" "Vega-Tables" "Holidays" "Wind Chimes" "The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'Leary's Cow)" "Love to Say Dada" "Good Vibrations"

"Our Prayer / Gee"

2004 clear vinyl release of Brian Wilson "Our Prayer (Freeform Reform)" remix.

Song by Brian Wilson from the album Brian Wilson Presents Smile

Released

September 28, 2004

Recorded

2004, Sunset Sound Recorders

Genre

Hymn, doo-wop

Length

2:09

Label

Nonesuch

Writer

Brian Wilson, William Davis/Morris Levy

Producer

Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson Presents Smile track listing

"Our Prayer / Gee"
(1)

"Heroes and Villains"
(2)

"Our Prayer" is a song written by Brian Wilson for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1969 album 20/20 and was produced by The Beach Boys. It was originally intended for the never-finished Smile album.

The song was re-recorded and released on Brian Wilson's 2004 version of Smile in medley with the 1953 doo-wop standard "Gee" without the other Beach Boys members.

Live Versions

The Beach Boys never performed the song live until their 50th anniversary reunion tour; at the June 24, 2012 show, "Our Prayer" was performed as an intro to "Heroes and Villains", however it was only performed several times.

Composition

I was sitting at my piano thinkin' about holy music. I poked around for some simple but moving chords. Later I sat down and wrote 'Our Prayer' in sections. The boys were overtaken by the arrangement. I taught it to them in sections, the way I usually do. The purity of the blending of the voices made the listeners feel spiritual. I was definitely into rock church music.
— Brian Wilson, c.1969^[1]

The wordless, a cappella piece was originally supposed to be the opening track to the Smile album. As Beach Boys historian Peter Reum explained, "Brian intended for 'Our Prayer' to be the opening track, a spiritual invocation, for 'Smile'. It was the first track to be recorded for the album but was initially considered an opening for 'Heroes and Villains'."^[1] The title may be a reference to the 1939 traditional pop standard "My Prayer", written by Georges Boulanger and Jimmy Kennedy. As music journal Paul Williams elaborates,

It's a wonderful wordless beginning for a record that for the most part uses words the same way it uses strings and keyboards—for their sounds. This is in sharp contrast to Pet Sounds where most of the songs have titles and lyrics that evoke specific situations and feelings. Smile's radicalism begins with and centers around the fact that it is abstract, whereas all previous Beach Boys records and most rock-and-roll songs are concrete in their imagery. They have words, and those words generally tell a story.
— Paul Williams, c.1993^[2]

Wilson was to quickly record and get it over with as soon as possible so he could focus on recording the bulk of Smile for the January, 1967 release that he had promised Capitol Records. However, Smile was abandoned, and the track lay dormant for several months. The song was eventually released together with "Cabinessence" on their 1969 album 20/20, albeit with some added vocal overdubs. The main vocals were recorded in late 1966 with the additional vocals being recorded at Capitol Records Studios two years later.^[3]

Personnel

The Beach Boys

Brian Wilson - vocals
Carl Wilson - vocals
Mike Love - vocals
Al Jardine - vocals

Other versions

An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (2001) began with this song.
The Boys' Choir of Harlem had performed "Our Prayer" at a live Radio City Music Hall concert on July 4, 2001.

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 Leaf, David. "Friends / 20/20 liner notes".
↑ Williams 2010, p. 84.
↑ Badman 2004, p. 387.

Sources

Badman, Keith (2004). The Beach Boys: The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
Williams, Paul (2010). Back to the Miracle Factory. Tom Doherty Associates. ISBN 978-1-4299-8243-6. Retrieved 8 August 2013.

20/20

Songs

Side one	"Do It Again" "I Can Hear Music" "Bluebirds over the Mountain" "Be with Me" "All I Want to Do" "The Nearest Faraway Place"

Side two	Cotton Fields (The Cotton Song) "I Went to Sleep" "Time to Get Alone" "Never Learn Not to Love" "Our Prayer" "Cabinessence"

1962–1965
1966–1977
1978–2012

Smile

The Smile Sessions
tracklisting

Side one	"Our Prayer" "Gee" "Heroes and Villains" "Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)" "I'm In Great Shape" "Barnyard" "My Only Sunshine (The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine)" "Cabin Essence"

Side two	"Wonderful" "Look (Song for Children)" "Child Is Father of the Man" "Surf's Up"

Side three	"I Wanna Be Around / Workshop" "Vega-Tables" "Holidays" "Wind Chimes" "The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'Leary's Cow)" "Love to Say Dada" "Good Vibrations"

Others	"Cool, Cool Water" "I Don't Know" "He Gives Speeches" "Teeter Totter Love" "Three Blind Mice" "Tune X" "You're Welcome" "You're With Me Tonight"

The Beach Boys

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilations

Hits	Best of The Beach Boys Vol. 1, 2, 3 Endless Summer Spirit of America Good Vibrations – Best of The Beach Boys 20 Golden Greats Ten Years of Harmony Sunshine Dream Made in U.S.A. Greatest Hits Vol. 1, 2, 3 The Very Best of The Beach Boys Sounds of Summer The Platinum Collection (Sounds of Summer Edition) The Warmth of the Sun Fifty Big Ones

Themed	Stack-O-Tracks Ultimate Christmas Classics Selected by Brian Wilson Summer Love Songs

Rarities	Rarities Lost & Found (1961–62) Endless Harmony Hawthorne, CA

Box sets	Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of The Beach Boys The Pet Sounds Sessions The Capitol Years The Original US Singles Collection The Capitol Years 1962–1965 The Smile Sessions Made in California

Articles	Lineups Discography Songs Smile Brian Wilson's home studio Brother Studios Brother Records Beach Boys Historic Landmark Sea of Tunes The 50th Reunion Tour Good Vibrations

People/bands	Tony Asher Glen Campbell Roger Christian Stephen Kalinich Stan Love Terry Melcher Van Dyke Parks John Phillips Jack Rieley Derek Taylor Gary Usher Carnie Wilson Murry Wilson Wendy Wilson The Captain & Tennille The Wrecking Crew

Films	Good Vibrations Tour (1976) An American Band (1985) Nashville Sounds (1996) Endless Harmony: The Beach Boys Story (1998) An American Family (2000)

Book
Category
Portal

The Beach Boys singles discography

1960s

1961	"Surfin'" / "Luau"

1962	"Surfin' Safari" / "409" "Ten Little Indians" / "County Fair"

1963	"Surfin' U.S.A." / "Shut Down" "Surfer Girl" / "Little Deuce Coupe" "Be True to Your School" / "In My Room" "Little Saint Nick" / "The Lord's Prayer"

1964	"Hawaii" / "The Rocking Surfer" "Fun, Fun, Fun" / "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" "I Get Around" / "Don't Worry Baby" "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)" / "She Knows Me Too Well" "Little Honda" / "Wendy" "Dance, Dance, Dance" / "The Warmth of the Sun" "The Man with All the Toys" / "Blue Christmas"

1965	"Do You Wanna Dance?" / "Please Let Me Wonder" "Help Me, Rhonda" / "Kiss Me, Baby" "California Girls"/ "Let Him Run Wild" "The Little Girl I Once Knew" / "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" "Barbara Ann" / "Girl Don't Tell Me"

1966	"Caroline, No" / "Summer Means New Love" "Sloop John B" / "You're So Good to Me" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "God Only Knows" "Good Vibrations" / "Let's Go Away for Awhile"

1967	"Then I Kissed Her" / "Mountain of Love" "Heroes and Villains" / "You're Welcome" "Gettin' Hungry" / "Devoted to You" "Wild Honey" / "Wind Chimes" "Darlin'" / "Here Today"

1968	"Friends" / "Little Bird" "Do It Again" / "Wake the World" "Bluebirds over the Mountain" / "Never Learn Not to Love"

1969	"I Can Hear Music" / "All I Want to Do" "Break Away" / "Celebrate the News"

1970s

1970	"Add Some Music to Your Day" / "Susie Cincinnati" "Cottonfields" / "The Nearest Faraway Place" "Slip on Through" / "This Whole World" "Tears in the Morning" / "It's About Time"

1971	"Cool, Cool Water" / "Forever" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (live) / "The Times They Are a-Changin'" (by Merry Clayton) "Long Promised Road" / "Deirdre" "Long Promised Road" / "'Til I Die" "Surf's Up" / "Don't Go Near the Water"

1972	"Student Demonstration Time" / "Don't Go Near the Water" "You Need a Mess of Help to Stand Alone" / "Cuddle Up" "Marcella" / "Hold On Dear Brother"

1973	"Sail On, Sailor" / "Only with You" "California Saga: California" / "Funky Pretty"

1974	"Surfin' U.S.A." / "The Warmth of the Sun" "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)" / "Susie Cincinnati"

1975	"Sail On, Sailor" / "Only with You"

1976	"Rock and Roll Music" / "T M Song" "It's O.K." / "Had to Phone Ya" "Everyone's in Love with You" / "Susie Cincinnati"

1977	"Honkin' Down the Highway" / "Solar System"

1978	"Peggy Sue" / "Hey, Little Tomboy"

1979	"Here Comes the Night" / "Baby Blue" "Good Timin'" / "Love Surrounds Me" "Lady Lynda" / "Full Sail" "It's a Beautiful Day" / "Sumahama"

1980s

1980	"Goin' On" / "Endless Harmony" "Livin' with a Heartache" / "Santa Ana Winds"

1981	"The Beach Boys Medley" / "God Only Knows" "Come Go with Me" / "Don't Go Near the Water"

1985	"Getcha Back" / "Male Ego" "It's Gettin' Late" / "It's O.K." "She Believes in Love Again" / "It's Just a Matter of Time"

1986	"Rock 'n' Roll to the Rescue" / "Good Vibrations" (live) "California Dreamin'" / "Lady Liberty"

1987	"Happy Endings" (with Little Richard) / "California Girls" (live)

1988	"Kokomo" / "Tutti Frutti" (Little Richard)

1989	"Still Cruisin'" / "Kokomo"

1990s

1990	"Somewhere Near Japan" / "Kokomo" "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "The Beach Boys Medley" "Problem Child" / "Problem Child" (instrumental)

1992	"Hot Fun in the Summertime" / "Summer of Love"

1996	"I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" / "Wouldn't It Be Nice" / "Here Today"

2010s

2011	"Good Vibrations" / "Heroes and Villains" "Don't Fight the Sea" / "Friends" "Cabin Essence" / "Wonderful"

2012	"That's Why God Made the Radio" / "That's Why God Made the Radio" (instrumental) "Isn't It Time" / Live in Chicago

Book
Category

Brian Wilson

Studio albums

Brian Wilson
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Orange Crate Art (with Van Dyke Parks)
Imagination
Gettin' In Over My Head
Brian Wilson Presents Smile
What I Really Want for Christmas
That Lucky Old Sun
Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
In the Key of Disney

Live albums

Singles

"Caroline, No"
"Gettin' Hungry" (with Mike Love)
"Let's Go to Heaven In My Car"
"Love and Mercy"
"Night Time"
"Melt Away"
"Do It Again"
"Your Imagination"
"Wonderful"
"Good Vibrations"
"Our Prayer (Freeform Reform)"
"Walking Down the Path of Life / Love & Mercy"
"What I Really Want for Christmas"
"Midnight's Another Day"
"What Love Can Do"

Compilations

Articles	Discography Songs Recordings Brian Wilson's home studio The 50th Reunion Tour "A Tribute to Brian Wilson" "Brian Wilson"

People	Tandyn Almer Tony Asher Hal Blaine Nelson Bragg Jeffrey Foskett Probyn Gregory Al Jardine Bruce Johnston Carol Kaye Eugene Landy David Leaf Mark Linett Mike Love Stan Love David Marks Andy Paley Van Dyke Parks Darian Sahanaja Joe Thomas Gary Usher Don Was Carl Wilson Carnie Wilson Dennis Wilson Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford Murry Wilson Wendy Wilson

Bands	American Spring The Beach Boys The Honeys Wilson Phillips The Wondermints The Wrecking Crew

Albums	Pet Sounds (Sessions) Smile (Sessions) Sweet Insanity Spring A World of Peace Must Come The Wilsons Making God Smile Smiling Pets

Films	I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995) Love and Mercy (2014)

Portal

v t e Dennis Wilson

Albums	Pacific Ocean Blue Bambu (unfinished)

Singles	"Sound of Free" / "Lady" "River Song" / "Farewell My Friend" "You and I" / "Friday Night"

Related articles	Songs Murry Wilson Brian Wilson Carl Wilson Mike Love Al Jardine The Beach Boys Two-Lane Blacktop "You Are So Beautiful" Christine McVie Charles Manson

The Beach Boys

Brian Wilson

Studio albums

Brian Wilson
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Orange Crate Art (with Van Dyke Parks)
Imagination
Gettin' In Over My Head
Brian Wilson Presents Smile
What I Really Want for Christmas
That Lucky Old Sun
Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
In the Key of Disney

Live albums

Singles

"Caroline, No"
"Gettin' Hungry" (with Mike Love)
"Let's Go to Heaven In My Car"
"Love and Mercy"
"Night Time"
"Melt Away"
"Do It Again"
"Your Imagination"
"Wonderful"
"Good Vibrations"
"Our Prayer (Freeform Reform)"
"Walking Down the Path of Life / Love & Mercy"
"What I Really Want for Christmas"
"Midnight's Another Day"
"What Love Can Do"

Compilations

Articles	Discography Songs Recordings Brian Wilson's home studio The 50th Reunion Tour "A Tribute to Brian Wilson" "Brian Wilson"

People	Tandyn Almer Tony Asher Hal Blaine Nelson Bragg Jeffrey Foskett Probyn Gregory Al Jardine Bruce Johnston Carol Kaye Eugene Landy David Leaf Mark Linett Mike Love Stan Love David Marks Andy Paley Van Dyke Parks Darian Sahanaja Joe Thomas Gary Usher Don Was Carl Wilson Carnie Wilson Dennis Wilson Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford Murry Wilson Wendy Wilson

Bands	American Spring The Beach Boys The Honeys Wilson Phillips The Wondermints The Wrecking Crew

Albums	Pet Sounds (Sessions) Smile (Sessions) Sweet Insanity Spring A World of Peace Must Come The Wilsons Making God Smile Smiling Pets

Films	I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995) Love and Mercy (2014)

Portal

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