Brian was at the piano. I asked him if I could sit down and show him something. I laid out the chord pattern for ‘Sloop John B.’ I said, ‘Remember this song?’ I played it. He said, ‘I’m not a big fan of the Kingston Trio.’ He wasn’t into folk music. But I didn’t give up on the idea. So what I did was to sit down and play it for him in the Beach Boys idiom. I figured if I gave it to him in the right light, he might end up believing in it. So I modified the chord changes so it would be a little more interesting. The original song is basically a three-chord song, and I knew that wouldn’t fly.
– Al Jardine from the Beach Boys
Sloop John B is the seventh track on the Beach Boys‘ Pet Sounds album and the sixth Beach Boys song to appear here so far after their previous entry – Good Vibrations. Sloop John B has that classic Beach Boys sound, and I was surprised to learn that Brian Wilson didn’t write it. Released around the time of the “folk boom,” (or perhaps just thereafter) it makes sense why it was such a big hit. With its water and sailing theme, it fits perfectly with the Beach Boys usual style. Back then, Sloop John B also became a popular campfire sing-along. It was arranged and produced by Brian Wilson. And, as always, the harmonies are simply amazing.
The following contain extracts from the Wikipedia article below:
The verses end on the amusing “This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on” which Brian had changed from the original: “this is the worst trip since I’ve been born“. The change has been suggested by some to be a subtle nod to the 1960s psychedelia subculture.
Sloop John B was originally a traditional West Indies folk song from Nassau called “The John B. Sails,” where its almost given the dignity of a national anthem. A transcription was published in 1916 by Richard Le Gallienne, and Carl Sandburg included a version in his The American Songbag in 1927. It was released as the single single from the album reaching No 3 in the US and No 2 in the UK. It was innovative for containing an elaborate a cappella vocal section not found in other pop music of the era, and it remains one of the group’s biggest hits.
We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinkin’ all night
Got into a fight
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home
So hoist up the John B’s sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home
The first mate, he got drunk
And broke in the captain’s trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don’t you leave me alone? Yeah, yeah
Well, I feel so broke up
I wanna go home
So hoist up the John B’s sail (Hoist up the John B’s sail)
See how the mainsail sets (See how the mainsail sets)
Call for the captain ashore, let me go home
Let me go home, I wanna go home
Let me go home (Hoist up the John B’s sail)
Hoist up the John B (Hoist up the John B)
I feel so broke up
I wanna go home, let me go home
The poor cook, he caught the fits
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don’t they let me go home?
This is the worst trip I’ve ever been on
References:
1. Sloop John B – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Magical, memory-filled song!
That it is.
One of their best!!
Yeh, Brian’s voice in that cappella vocal section. Stuff of legend.
To me, for the most part, The Beach Boys are about their harmony singing first and foremost. I think they are among the very best in that department, along with The Temptations and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. “Sloop John B” is a great example of what Beach Boys harmony singing can sound like. That said, and I realize I’m in the minority here, I generally find “Pet Sounds” overrated. While I acknowledge “God Only Knows” is a masterpiece, my favorite Beach Boys song is “Good Vibrations.”
Yeh, I think it’s their harmony singing which impresses me most and Wilson’s voice in particular. Also ‘Pet Sounds’ isn’t in my top echelon album list, but I can appreciate how SO many hold it in high regards certainly as far as its influence on music and bands are concerned.
Love The Beach Boys. Favorite song Good Vibrations. Thanks for the flash back.
Oh cheers. Good Vibrations has only improved to my ears over the years, which tells you how intricate it is at least to me.
A brilliant piece of music inspired by the flower power movement. Definitely intricate lyrics by Wilson and Mike Love. Thanks so much for featuring this. Cheers!
The production was immense wasn’t it? The most expensive single ever made. Wilson putting all band members and musicians through the ringer to create the ‘right’ arrangement, harmony, and sound.
I like how the film ‘Love and Mercy’ depicted his perfectionism (see below):
That’s a great video. I understand it took them 16 hours to get it “ right”.
“Good Vibrations” was recorded over a period of six weeks, with sessions taking place from February 17 to September 21, 1966, at various studios including Western, Columbia, Gold Star, and Sunset Sound.
That’s amazing. Time well spent.
Matt I missed this because of work as well as your next 2 posts…sometimes I can get to everything…sometimes I can’t…but I love this song and their arrangement of it.
I had no clue of Jardine’s participation… he did a great job of rearranging it.
Yeh, if it wasn’t for Jardine there is no way this version would have come into existence.
I had forgotten about Jardine’s help in this…well not help…he basically took it on himself.
It was his baby obviously and thankfully Wilson didn’t discard it with the bath water lol