Wonderful (song)

"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".

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 an interlude not found on the original version.

The "SMiLE" version was completed and performed with the rest of the finally completed "SMiLE" songs, live in February 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. The song was released as a promo 7" single backed with "Gee" totaling 5,000 copies on blue, green, and yellow vinyl.

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.

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 ("SMiLE")

*Carl Wilson: Lead vocals ("Smiley 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

ee also

*List of songs by The Beach Boys