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County Fair (The Beach Boys song)
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Wikipedia article
"'County Fair'" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was originally released as the second track on their 1962 album 'Surfin' Safari'. On November 26 of that year, it was released as the B-side to The Beach Boys' third single, "Ten Little Indians".Elliott, Brad: "Surf's Up! The Beach Boys On Record 1961-1981", page 15. Popular Culture Ink, 1991. The same single was released in the UK in January 1963.Doe, Andrew G.: "[http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/45uk60s.html INDEX]." Retrieved on 2011-08-08.
The melody of "County Fair" was later recycled into the song "I Do".Doe, Andrew G. & Tobler, John: "Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys: The Complete Guide to their Music", page 9. Omnibus Press, 2004.
Composition
"County Fair" was the second song Brian Wilson and Gary Usher wrote together. In the song, the singer takes his girlfriend to the county fair, where she leaves him for a stronger man; one who can ring the bell on a high striker game. The song culminates in the tag, as the girl leaves the singer, calling him a loser. The song is in verse-chorus form, though the choruses consist of spoken-word narration of the girlfriend and a carnival barker over an organ melody.Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 49. Continuum Publishing, 2007.
Recording
"County Fair" was recorded by The Beach Boys on September 6, 1962, during the last recording session for their first album, 'Surfin' Safari'. Nik Venet produced the session at Capitol Studios.Doe, Andrew G.: "[http://www.esquarterly.com/bellagio/gigs6162.html gigs6162]." Retrieved on 2011-08-08.
Personnel
According to Keith BadmanBadman, Keith: The Beach Boys, page 25. Backbeat Books, 2004.;The Beach Boys
* Mike Love vocals
* David Marks guitar
* Brian Wilson bass guitar, organ, vocals
* Carl Wilson guitar, vocals
* Dennis Wilson drums, vocals
;Additional musicians and production staff
* Andrea Carlo voice of girlfriend
* Nik Venet carnival barker
Reception
With "County Fair" as its B-side, "Ten Little Indians" charted at #49 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100.Billboard: "[ Ten Little Indians - The Beach Boys]". [http://www.billboard.com Billboard.com]. Retrieved on 2011-08-08. This was the lowest placement of any Beach Boys single until "Bluebirds Over the Mountain" in 1968.Billboard: "[ The Beach Boys Album & Song Chart History]". [http://www.billboard.com Billboard.com]. Retrieved on 2011-08-08. The single did not chart in the UK.
'Cash Box' said that the Beach Boys "sock out with coin-catching authority" on "County Fair."
References
Category:1962 songs
Category:The Beach Boys songs
Category:Songs written by Gary Usher
Category:Songs written by Brian Wilson
Category:Song recordings produced by Nick Venet
Category:Capitol Records singles
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