Kiss Me, Baby
"Kiss Me, Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was first released on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! and later as the B-side of the US number one hit "Help Me, Rhonda". Thomas Ward of AllMusic calls the song a product of Wilson's "dense, multi-layered confessional songs, with adult themes and exploring issues previously only developed by performers such as Bob Dylan".[1]
| "Kiss Me, Baby" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Beach Boys | ||||
| from the album The Beach Boys Today! | ||||
| A-side | "Help Me, Rhonda" | |||
| Released | April 5, 1965 | |||
| Recorded | December 16, 1964 – January 15, 1965 | |||
| Genre | Baroque pop | |||
| Length | 2:35 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Brian Wilson and Mike Love | |||
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson | |||
| The Beach Boys singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
"Kiss Me, Baby"
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Recording
The song was recorded over two dates at Western Recorders, both produced by Brian Wilson. Arranged by Brian Wilson, the instrumental track most likely was recorded on December 16, 1964, with Chuck Britz engineering. The vocals were most likely overdubbed at a session on January 15, 1965. On the verses it features the group singing in unison with Brian Wilson and Mike Love featured on lead vocals on the chorus. The backing vocals are provided by Brian, Carl & Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine.
Alternate mixes
- A stereo remix of the song was released on the 1998 Endless Harmony Soundtrack.
- A Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound version of the song was released on the Endless Harmony DVD as a bonus track. The track, along with the other 5.1 surround sound mixes, were produced and mixed by Mark Linett.
- An a cappella mix of the song was released on the 2001 archival release Hawthorne, CA.
Personnel
Credits from Craig Slowinski.[2]
- The Beach Boys
- Al Jardine – harmony and backing vocals
- Mike Love – lead, harmony and backing vocals
- Brian Wilson – lead and backing vocals, upright piano
- Carl Wilson – harmony and backing vocals; 12-string lead guitar
- Dennis Wilson – harmony and backing vocals
- Additional musicians and production staff
- Hal Blaine – drums, temple block
- Peter Christ – English horn
- Steve Douglas – tenor saxophone
- Jay Migliori – baritone saxophone
- David Duke – French horn
- Carol Kaye – bass guitar
- Barney Kessel – 12-string acoustic guitar
- Bill Pitman – acoustic guitar
- Ray Pohlman – 6-string bass guitar
- Leon Russell – grand piano
- Billy Strange – electric guitar
- Julius Wechter – vibraphone, bell-tree
References
- Ward, Thomas. "Kiss Me, Baby". AllMusic.
- Slowinski, Craig (2007). "The Beach Boys- The Beach Boys Today!" (PDF). Retrieved April 4, 2019.
