B-side "All I Want to Do" Format Vinyl Length 2:36 | Released March 3, 1969 Recorded October 1, 1968 Label Capitol | |
"I Can Hear Music" is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector for American girl group the Ronettes in 1966. Three years later, American rock band the Beach Boys released a cover version as a single from their album 20/20 (1969), peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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The Beach Boys version
"I Can Hear Music" was covered by the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1969 album 20/20 with Carl Wilson on lead vocals.
With Brian Wilson increasingly losing interest in producing for the Beach Boys, his younger brother Carl took over the role of producer and lead Beach Boy. "I Can Hear Music" is considered by many to be Carl Wilson's first taste at being the "leader" of the group. Released as a single, the song peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (and #20 on the Cash Box and Record World charts) in the US. Internationally, it reached #5 in Sweden, #6 in the Netherlands and Malaysia, #7 in Poland, #10 in the UK, #13 in Germany and in Australia's Go Set chart, and #15 in Ireland. The Beach Boys' version is noted for its a cappella section of harmonies and counterpoint.
Within the US it peaked on top 10 playlists at #5 Boston, #7 New York, #7 Chicago (WCFL), San Diego, Seattle, Houston and Vancouver in order of success; #11 Chicago (WLS), #12 Los Angeles (KHJ), Columbus and Indianapolis; #14 Detroit.
Kathy Trocolli version
In 1996, the Beach Boys rerecorded the song, with contemporary Christian singer Kathy Troccoli on lead vocals, for their country album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1. That recording was released as a single, and hit #16 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.