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Barbara Ann
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Wikipedia article
"'Barbara Ann'" is a song written by Fred Fassert that was first recorded by the Regents as "'Barbara-Ann'". Their version was released in 1961 and reached number 13 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart. The more famous version was recorded by the Beach Boys for their 1965 in-house live album 'Beach Boys' Party!'. In December, "Barbara Ann" was issued as a single with the B-side "Girl Don't Tell Me", peaking at number 2 in the U.S. and number 3 in the UK. The Regents' original version was featured in the 1973 film 'American Graffiti' and later included on the soundtrack album.
The Beach Boys version
{{Infobox song
| name = Barbara Ann
| cover = Beach Boys - Barbara Ann.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = The Beach Boys
| album = Beach Boys' Party!
| B-side = Girl Don't Tell Me
| released =
| recorded =
| studio = Western, Hollywood
| genre = Rock and roll, doo-wop
| length =
| label = Capitol
| writer = Fred Fassert
| producer = Brian Wilson
| prev_title = The Little Girl I Once Knew
| prev_year = 1965
| next_title = Sloop John B
| next_year = 1966
| misc =
}}
The Beach Boys recorded their version on September 23, 1965. Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean is featured on lead vocals along with Brian Wilson. Torrence is not credited on the album, but Carl Wilson is heard saying "Thanks, Dean" at the song's conclusion. Capitol's Al Coury rush-released "Barbara Ann" as a single without informing the band, after the relatively poor performance of the group's previous disc, "The Little Girl I Once Knew".
The song entered the 'Billboard' Hot 100 chart the week ending January 1, 1966. The week ending January 29, the song leaped from to and was in position to replace "We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles as the next song. However, "My Love" by Petula Clark unexpectedly vaulted into the position the week ending February 5, 1966. Consequently, "Barbara Ann" peaked at on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 ( in 'Cash Box' and 'Record World') and at in the UK in January 1966. It also topped the charts in Germany, Switzerland and Norway. It was The Beach Boys' biggest hit in Italy, reaching .
'Cash Box' said the Beach Boys apply a "distinctive, easy-going style complete with plenty harmony and counterpoint portions."
Variations of the Beach Boys' recording have seen release. A version without the party sound effects can be found on the 'Hawthorne, CA' album. The group sang the song as an encore on their 'Live in London' album. As a solo artist, Brian has a rendition on his live album 'Live at the Roxy Theatre', and in 2001, performed it himself, with the ensemble, on 'An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson'.
In 1987, the group re-recorded the song as "Here Come the Cubs" with re-written lyrics about the Chicago Cubs. It became the team's official theme that year, replacing "Go, Cubs, Go".
The Who perform "Barbara Ann" in the film 'The Kids Are Alright' with Keith Moon on vocals. Moon, a massive Beach Boys fan but a notoriously limited singer, plays and sings much to the delight of his fellow band members. An earlier version by them was released on the 'Ready Steady Who' EP in 1966.
Other versions
* 1962 Jan and Dean
* 1966 The Who, 'Ready Steady Who'
* 1975 Martin Circus (as "Marylne", with French lyrics)
* 1989 Blind Guardian, 'Follow the Blind'
* 2002 ApologetiX, 'Grace Period' (as "Baa! We're Lambs")
* 2010 "Banana Song", 'Despicable Me' (sung by the Minions)
* 2013 Elements of Life
"Bomb Iran"
The song was parodied as "Bomb Iran" by various musicians, including Vince Vance and the Valiants, during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.Declain McCullagh (April 22, 2007). [http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9711370-7.html McCain's 'Bomb Iran' song was anti-Muslim?] 'News.com'. Accessed 2007-11-05.
On April 17, 2007, at an appearance in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina during the 2008 presidential election campaign, U.S. Senator John McCain responded to a question from an audience member about military action against Iran by referring to "That old, eh, that old Beach Boys song, 'Bomb Iran'," and then singing the parody chorus, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, anyway, ah ..."
Charts
'Weekly charts'
'Year-end charts'
References
Category:The Beach Boys songs
Category:Jan and Dean songs
Category:1961 songs
Category:1965 singles
Category:1966 singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in Norway
Category:The Who songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Wilson
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Gee Records singles
Category:Doo-wop songs
Category:1961 singles
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