Here Today (The Beach Boys song)

One of the last songs recorded for Pet Sounds, Wilson produced the track in March 1966 with the aid of his bandmates, who provided additional backing vocals, and 12 studio musicians, who played guitars, organ, upright bass, trombones, saxophones, tack piano, drums, and other percussion."[14] He stated that his intention for the piece was "to conceive the idea of a bass guitar playing an octave higher than regular and showcase it as the principal instrument in the track."[9][11] Dillon suggests that Wilson may have been influenced by Bill Wyman's bass-playing on "19th Nervous Breakdown", a then-current hit for the Rolling Stones."[11] This is directly followed by another major shift in which "all instruments (primarily piano and circus-style organ) maintain the tempo, but the feel changes when the snare pounds out a set of polka-like eighth notes."[19] At the end of this break, Wilson says, "Top, please," which was an instruction to the engineer to rewind the tape to the beginning of the song so the group could attempt another take of the vocals.[9] Record producer Phil Ramone afforded attention to Wilson's mixing and production layering on Pet Sounds and this track in particular: "There are placements for every instrument in the mono mix—they're great studies of contrast, texture, balance, and rhythm.[27] The film featured the group (minus Johnston) at Lake Arrowhead, flailing around in grotesque horror masks and playing Old Maid.[15] AllMusic reviewer Donald Guarisco praised "Here Today" as "a highlight of Pet Sounds" and "one of Brian Wilson's most ambitious arrangements.[23] A 1972 Rolling Stone review of Pet Sounds written by Stephen Davis characterized "Here Today" as an unusually "angry" song on the album, highlighting its depiction of "pessimism and dissatisfaction".The same review drew similarities between "Here Today" and "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times", noting that both the subject matter of each has a "universal" nature, and speaks directly to the audience.Not too good at all..."[34] Blood, Sweat & Tears founder Al Kooper, whose favorite album of all time is the 1997 box set The Pet Sounds Sessions, said that "Here Today" inspired the organ break in his band's 1969 hit "You've Made Me So Very Happy", as well as his songs "I Can Love a Woman" (1968) and "Lucille" (1969).[36] Musician Lenie Colacino argued that the bass part was a direct influence on Paul McCartney's bass-playing on "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Getting Better" from Sgt.