A-side "Help Me, Rhonda" Format 7" vinyl Length 2:35 | Released April 5, 1965 Genre Baroque pop | |
Recorded December 16, 1964 – January 15, 1965 | ||
"Kiss Me, Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was first released on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today! and later as the B-side of the US number one hit "Help Me, Rhonda". Thomas Ward of AllMusic calls the song a product of Wilson's "dense, multi-layered confessional songs, with adult themes and exploring issues previously only developed by performers such as Bob Dylan".
Contents
Recording
The song was recorded over two dates at Western Recorders, both produced by Brian Wilson. Arranged by Brian Wilson, the instrumental track most likely was recorded on December 16, 1964, with Chuck Britz engineering. The vocals were most likely overdubbed at a session on January 15, 1965. On the verses it features the group singing in unison with Brian Wilson and Mike Love featured on lead vocals on the chorus. The backing vocals are provided by Brian, Carl & Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine.
Personnel
Single release
"Kiss Me, Baby" was released in April 1965 in the United States as the B-side of the band's second US number one hit, "Help Me, Rhonda". In the United Kingdom, the song was also released as the B-side of the "Help Me, Rhonda" single, which managed to chart at the number 27 position in Britain.
Album and alternate releases
The song was first released on an album in 1965 on the band's Today! album. A stereo remix of the song was released on the 1998 Endless Harmony Soundtrack. A Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound version of the song was released on the Endless Harmony DVD as a bonus track. The track, along with the other 5.1 surround sound mixes, were produced and mixed by Mark Linett. An a cappella mix of the song was released on the 2001 archival release Hawthorne, CA.