A-side "California Girls" Genre Ballad, soul | Format 7" vinyl Length 2:20 | |
Released July 5, 1965 (1965-07-05) (album)
July 12, 1965 (1965-07-12) (single) Recorded March 20 (20-03)–May 28, 1965 (1965-05-28), United Western Recorders and CBS Columbia Square, Hollywood | ||
"Let Him Run Wild" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) and as the B-side to "California Girls". Sibling bandmates Carl and Dennis Wilson later praised the song, calling it the point where they began to take notice of Brian's abilities. It was one of the first songs that Brian wrote while under the influence of marijuana.
Contents
According to Brian, the song is "about a girl who was dating a guy who didn’t stay close to her. The guy singing wants the girl to let her boyfriend run around and eventually leave her so he can come in and get her. He wants a bad thing to happen so that it’ll turn into a good thing.
Production
A soulful ballad, the song is said to have been inspired by Burt Bacharach while also foreshadowing the relatively complex music dynamics of Pet Sounds several months later. Author Jim Fusilli explained, "[it] is a gorgeous track, albeit a bit busy at the chorus when compared to what's ahead, with major seventh chords that ring beautifully. The song's subtle horn charts, prominent tremolo bass, the vibraphone, and the sweet, pensive section after the chorus portend the sounds of a forthcoming classic." MOJO wrote: "With key and tempo changes bolder and weirder than anything before, this was Brian's signpost to the psychedelic country up ahead."
With production by Brian Wilson and engineering by Chuck Britz, the instrumental was recorded on March 20, 1965 at United Western Recorders, Hollywood. A few weeks later, vocals were overdubbed at CBS Columbia Square with a final mix occurring on May 28. Brian later reflected that his vocal on the track was too shrill, saying, "I sounded like a little girl," and "I sounded like a fairy," naming it his least favorite Beach Boys recording.
Personnel
Sourced from Musician's Union AFM contract sheets and surviving session audio, documented by Craig Slowinski.