"Heads You Win–Tails I Lose" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1962 album Surfin' Safari.[1]
| "Heads You Win–Tails I Lose" | |
|---|---|
| Song by The Beach Boys | |
| from the album Surfin' Safari | |
| Released | October 1, 1962 |
| Recorded | September 6, 1962 Capitol Studios |
| Genre | Surf rock |
| Length | 2:17 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Brian Wilson Gary Usher |
| Producer(s) | Nik Venet |
Composition
editAccording to lyricist Gary Usher, "Heads You Win–Tails I Lose" resulted from an effort to turn contemporary expressions into songs.[2] The song is in AABA form. In the A sections, the typical doo-wop chord patterns are split in half, and then repeated: I-vi-I-vi-IV-V-IV-V. The B section is a more traditional pattern, much like other songs from Surfin' Safari.[3]
Recording
edit"Heads You Win–Tails I Lose" was recorded at the last Surfin' Safari session, on September 6, 1962.[4] While Nik Venet is officially credited as producer, some of the participants claim that Brian Wilson did the production work.[5]
Personnel
editThe Beach Boys
- Mike Love – lead vocals
- David Marks – rhythm guitar
- Brian Wilson – harmony and backing vocals; bass guitar
- Carl Wilson – harmony and backing vocals; lead guitar
- Dennis Wilson – harmony and backing vocals; drums
References
edit- ^ Elliott, Brad: "Surf's Up! The Beach Boys On Record 1961-1981", page 18. Popular Culture Ink, 1991.
- ^ Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 48. Continuum Publishing, 2007.
- ^ Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 48-49. Continuum Publishing, 2007.
- ^ Doe, Andrew G.: "gigs6162." Bellagio 10452. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
- ^ Doe, Andrew G.: "Album Archive Archived 2012-03-24 at the Wayback Machine." Bellagio 10452. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.