The Little Girl I Once Knew
Encyclopedia
"The Little Girl I Once Knew" is a song written by Brian Wilson
for the American
rock
band
The Beach Boys
. It was released in November 1965 as a single 45 rpm, backed by "There's No Other (Like My Baby)
", and reached #15 on the Cash Box chart, #20 on Billboard
. On the UPI (United Press International) chart, quoted by newspapers across the United States, it placed at #4 -- the same position it peaked at the 'pirate' station Radio London serving the UK. In Canada it was #7 on the national chart cited by Billboard and #10 on the RPM chart. Across North America, of major markets, it was highly popular only in Minneapolis and Vancouver (both #3), Washington DC (#5), Boston (#8), Baltimore and Pittsburgh (both #9); also top ten across the South in Birmingham, Louisville, Orlando and St Joseph.
The last new original song the group produced before the album Pet Sounds
, it was not included on any regular Beach Boys album, but has since been collected on several anthologies (its first LP appearance being volume 3 of the group's Best Of series
) and as a bonus track on reissues of Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
.
The song is notable for innovative use of two dramatic periods of near-silence lasting several seconds each. Although one of the Beach Boys' most exuberant songs, it was poorly received by radio stations preferring to avoid dead air time, which may account for its relatively low chart rating among their other singles of the period, including "California Girls
" and "Barbara Ann
". It is still rarely heard on oldies radio.
Capitol Records
' rushed release of "Barbara Ann" in December ruined any chance "The Little Girl I Once Knew" had of continuing up the charts. Just after its release, John Lennon
gave it a favorable review; another what-if for the Beach Boys.
Structurally, this song is one of Brian Wilson's greatest song writing achievements for a pre-Pet Sounds era composition. Although the lyrics may seem overly superficial, musically it shows the best of what the Beach Boys were able to do in a pop song single, incorporating incredible tags, dead stop timing breaks, repeating killer guitar hooks, lush choral arrangements, etc.
Brian Wilson regularly opened his concerts on his 2001 solo tour with the song.
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
. It was released in November 1965 as a single 45 rpm, backed by "There's No Other (Like My Baby)
There's No Other (Like My Baby)
"There's No Other " is a song written by Phil Spector and Leroy Bates, and first recorded by girl group The Crystals.-Beach Boys version:...
", and reached #15 on the Cash Box chart, #20 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
. On the UPI (United Press International) chart, quoted by newspapers across the United States, it placed at #4 -- the same position it peaked at the 'pirate' station Radio London serving the UK. In Canada it was #7 on the national chart cited by Billboard and #10 on the RPM chart. Across North America, of major markets, it was highly popular only in Minneapolis and Vancouver (both #3), Washington DC (#5), Boston (#8), Baltimore and Pittsburgh (both #9); also top ten across the South in Birmingham, Louisville, Orlando and St Joseph.
The last new original song the group produced before the album Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds
Pet Sounds is the eleventh studio album by the American rock band The Beach Boys, released May 16, 1966, on Capitol Records. It has since been recognized as one of the most influential records in the history of popular music and one of the best albums of the 1960s, including songs such as "Wouldn't...
, it was not included on any regular Beach Boys album, but has since been collected on several anthologies (its first LP appearance being volume 3 of the group's Best Of series
Best of The Beach Boys Vol. 3
Best of The Beach Boys Vol. 3 is the third in a series of hits compilations of music by The Beach Boys released by Capitol Records. It would prove to be the last official "best of" package by the band on their first record label....
) and as a bonus track on reissues of Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
- Singles :* "Help Me, Rhonda" b/w "Kiss Me Baby" , 5 April 1965 US #1; UK #27* "California Girls" b/w "Let Him Run Wild" , 12 July 1965 US #3; UK #26- References :...
.
The song is notable for innovative use of two dramatic periods of near-silence lasting several seconds each. Although one of the Beach Boys' most exuberant songs, it was poorly received by radio stations preferring to avoid dead air time, which may account for its relatively low chart rating among their other singles of the period, including "California Girls
California Girls
"California Girls" is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys, featured on their ninth studio album Summer Days . Written by band-members Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the song features contrasting verse-chorus form...
" and "Barbara Ann
Barbara Ann
"Barbara Ann" is a song written by Fred Fassert and performed by The Regents in 1961. The recording reached a peak position of #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart....
". It is still rarely heard on oldies radio.
Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
' rushed release of "Barbara Ann" in December ruined any chance "The Little Girl I Once Knew" had of continuing up the charts. Just after its release, John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
gave it a favorable review; another what-if for the Beach Boys.
Structurally, this song is one of Brian Wilson's greatest song writing achievements for a pre-Pet Sounds era composition. Although the lyrics may seem overly superficial, musically it shows the best of what the Beach Boys were able to do in a pop song single, incorporating incredible tags, dead stop timing breaks, repeating killer guitar hooks, lush choral arrangements, etc.
Brian Wilson regularly opened his concerts on his 2001 solo tour with the song.