The year was 1965, and the Beach Boys released their first single, which included their guitarist Al Jardine on lead vocals. The song was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, titled ‘Help Me, Rhonda.’ The song’s upbeat rhythm and harmonies made it an instant classic. The lyrics describe the heartache of a guy whose hoped-for wife was stolen by another man. He now pleads with Rhonda to help him relieve the pain because she looks good. Interestingly, despite the desperation in the lyrics, it is still a very light and up-tempo song.
Interestingly, Brian Wilson explained to Goldmine in 2011 that they produced two versions of the song, one with a ukulele and one with guitars, and they decided to use the guitar version. However, he also had a sixth sense about who should sing lead, so he turned it over to Al. He wrote songs specifically for Carl, Mike, and Al to sing.
Although the song’s title appears 41 times, and the word ‘help’ appears 61 times, there is no actual Rhonda. However, Mike Love revealed that there were a lot of girls named Rhonda out there who received remarks related to the song all their lives. Johnny Rivers covered this song in 1975 and took it to #22 in the US. Brian Wilson sang backup on his version.
The audience’s positive reaction to ‘Help Me, Rhonda’ was captured in a few of the most upvoted YouTube comments. One user, Leo Chav, saw Al Jardine in Tucson in 2017, performing with Brian Wilson. He mentioned that Al sounded incredible, making it a real treat. Another user, Mike Churchill, talked about how Jardine’s lead vocals were hidden gems and wished he could have seen them live. Thanks to its incredible harmonies, J Kramer added that this song makes him want to dance.
The Beach Boys’ music is so good that it’s insane, according to Noah Callahan. Diana Gorden appreciated how Al Jardine is still doing a great job with his performances, making them enjoyable. Keith Naylor describes the Beach Boys as the kings of multi-layered vocals and harmonies.
‘Help Me, Rhonda’ is a classic Beach Boys hit from 1965 that is still enjoyable to listen to today. It is an upbeat, fast-paced song with incredible harmonies that make you want to dance. Although the song’s title appears many times, no actual Rhonda exists. Brian Wilson had a sixth sense about who should sing lead and knew how to create hits. This song was no exception.
So, if you’re feeling down, need a pick-me-up, or want to enjoy some great music, check out ‘Help Me, Rhonda’ on YouTube. Share it with your friends and let them enjoy it, too. This classic song is just as enjoyable today as in 1965.
https://youtu.be/CkYzjhr7SAI
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