| "Had to Phone Ya" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single bythe Beach Boys | ||||
| from the album15 Big Ones | ||||
| A-side | "It's O.K." | |||
| Released | August 30, 1976[1] | |||
| Recorded | March 30, 1976 | |||
| Studio | Brother (Santa Monica) | |||
| Length | 1:43 | |||
| Label | Brother/Reprise | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Brian Wilson,Mike Love, Diane Rovell | |||
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson | |||
| The Beach Boys singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
| "Had to Phone Ya" | |
|---|---|
| Song byAmerican Spring | |
| from the albumSpring | |
| Released | 1988 (1988) |
| Recorded | 1973 |
| Length | 2:02 |
| Songwriter(s) | Brian Wilson, Diane Rovell |
| Producer(s) | Brian Wilson |
"Had to Phone Ya" is a song by the American rock bandthe Beach Boys from their 1976 album15 Big Ones. It was written byBrian Wilson, his sister-in-law Diane Rovell, andMike Love. The song was issued as the B-side to their single "It's O.K.". An earlier recording by the groupAmerican Spring was included as a bonus track on a later reissue of the albumSpring (1972).
Brian Wilson andMike Love wrote the song, with Diane Rovell also contributing.[2] Diane was originally listed as a cowriter, but her name was removed from songwriting credits in subsequent releases.[3] She is still listed as co-writer in theBroadcast Music, Inc. database.[4]
Byron Preiss described the song's creation byBrian Wilson while his wifeMarilyn was away in Europe.[5] Brian spoke about the song in 1995:
All I wanted to do was to make a person feel they were free to call at any time-if they felt the world was upside down, they could call and I could correct their world. In other words, I wanted to feel like I can call somebody and tell them, "Look, I’m swamped, I’m scared, I got all these emotions deep inside of me."[6]
Lindsay Planer ofAllmusic noted "Although the tune may sound uncomplicated, it is part of a larger sonic tapestry that combines the interaction of several simultaneous melodies." noting similarities to earlier Brian Wilson compositions "Good Vibrations" and "Love to Say Dada".[7] MusicianDennis Diken compared it to Wilson's "Trombone Dixie".[3]
"Had to Phone Ya" was originally recorded in 1973 byAmerican Spring at Junior's Motel in Otho, Iowa.[citation needed] Their version was released as a bonus track for the CD reissue of the albumSpring (1972).[citation needed]
The Beach Boys' version of "Had to Phone Ya" was recorded on March 30, 1976, atBrother Studios in the middle of the primary sessions for15 Big Ones.[8] The lead vocals are swapped between the band members.[9] The instrumental track from this session was made available on the 2013 compilationMade in California.
Per album liner notes.[3]
The Beach Boys
Guest
Session musicians and production staff
