The Beach Boys – Sail On Sailor
Released as a single from the 1973 album, ‘Holland’, this song was written by a few people, all surrounding The Beach Boys at the time.
Brian Wilson, Tandyn Almer, Ray Kennedy, Jack Riely and Van Dyke Parks all contributed to “Sail On, Sailor”, a rockin’ track that is still aired on many classic rock FM stations.
It doesn’t sound like The Beach Boys and that’s what makes this stand apart from the earlier sound.
Wilson had very little to do with the song as this was during his recluse time, by Van Dyke Parks was one person Brian trusted and collaborated with a lot during those years.
From Wikipedia:
“Vocals for “Sail On, Sailor” were recorded in late October 1972, some time after the Beach Boys had left Holland. According to Steven Gaines, Wilson initially “tinkered with the song, trying to make it perfect as he had with ‘Good Vibrations’ and Smile“; following this bout of “procrastination,” his bandmates “did not allow [him] to work on it at all.” This development left the basic track to be recorded by Brian’s brother Carl and ex-Flame and then-Beach Boys members Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin. The lead vocal was first attempted by Dennis Wilson, who sang the vocal once before leaving to go surfing. Carl was the next to attempt a vocal, but he then suggested that Chaplin make an attempt. After two takes, Carl decided that Chaplin’s vocal would feature as the lead. Brian acknowledged himself being “grossly incompetent” with the song, failing to show up at its backing vocals session, but giving some instructions by phone.”
So, not even a Beach Boy on lead vocals or any other recording of the song, other than Carl Wilson, playing guitar and backing harmonies. Brian MAY have played some piano but no one’s quite sure if it was him or not.
In it’s first release, in 197, it barely broke the Hot 100, stalling at #79 but was re-released in 1975, it faired better with help from FM Rock radio formats and listeners requesting the song on Top 40 stations! It peaked at #49 on the Hot 100!
