Talk:Our Prayer

First and second versions

My understanding is, the first version, which was released on the Good Vibrations box set marked "Previously Unreleased", is Brian doing all the parts, and then for the 20/20 version, the rest of the boys recorded directly on top of Brian's version. That's certaintly what it sounds like -- the 20/20 version is a little too thick and heavy, whereas the box set version is smoother, but perhaps a little thin on the bass vocals. --63.25.8.28 (talk) 22:45, 16 July 2008 (UTC)

There is a session tape circulating from the original Our Prayer session (October 4, 1966), and all of The Beach Boys are present and singing, even Dennis. Mike has some trouble with his part, especially the third phrase. (There is a short and not very illuminating summary of the session here.) It is possible, I guess, that Brian re-recorded the song later, but there is no record of that. MookieZ (talk) 14:24, 17 July 2008 (UTC)

Please listen to two tracks from the Smile Sessions: "Our Prayer (Dialogue)" and "Our Prayer (10/4/66)". Dennis is present on the first track, "Our Prayer (Dialogue)", which is just Brian, Mike and Al (I believe) practicing their parts, but Brian directly addresses Dennis. On the second track, "Our Prayer (10/4/66)", Carl and Dennis also are singing, and at the 1:00 mark, you can hear Carl or Brian say: "I think you two better get in, because Dennis and I were really loud." The fact of the matter is, that Dennis sang on almost every Beach Boys recording, and only didn't sing during live shows when he was behind the kit. I don't know how the misconception that he didn't sing on their records got started . Either way, If you listen to the final recording of this track, you can clearly hear Dennis' harmonies. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.118.32.225 (talk) 20:44, 10 January 2018 (UTC)

You're right on this instance. The actual misconception is that the Beach Boys always had five-part vocal arrangements. This is unequivocally false. They were almost always close harmonies, which meant was little room for a fifth part. Sometimes the same four members would overdub a two-part backing vocal on top of a three- or four-part block harmony. I think this was the case on "Sloop John B".--Ilovetopaint (talk) 14:17, 13 January 2018 (UTC)

Appreciate the response. I only disagree on how many members were on particular songs. Songs like "California Girls" and "You Still Believe in Me" included all six members. I'm not saying they always had five-part vocal arrangements, but I've heard and read interviews where Brian and Alan and Bruce are discussing tracks that included 4, 5, or 6 band members singing. I can tell you "Wouldn't It Be Nice" included all six members. My only major point is that Dennis often sang on studio tracks, including "Good Vibrations," "Sloop John B," "Please Let Me Wonder," "Kiss Me Baby", and many others. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.118.32.225 (talk) 17:48, 16 January 2018 (UTC)

How do you know that all six members sing on those songs? "Good Vibrations" and "Sloop John B" is dubious.--Ilovetopaint (talk) 23:36, 16 January 2018 (UTC)

On "Good Vibrations," you can watch footage of them in the recording studio. Mike is recording his vocals into a mic and the other group members are seen recording the harmonies. Plus it's been written and discussed by members of the group. And I didn't say all six members sang on "Sloop John B," only that Dennis did. Everyone but Bruce sang on "Sloop John B." On "You Still Believe in Me," you can hear it in the harmonies, but Bruce Johnston has said that all six members sing on that track. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 73.165.7.92 (talk) 14:26, 20 January 2018 (UTC)