I just noticed that everybody takes a solo in this song. The Beach Boys used their voices like an orchestra uses instruments. They were able to do this because all of them could really sing. Even Al, always overlooked and underrated, gets a really nice solo.
I had the pleasure to see the Beach Boys in 1964,1965,early 1980's,1992, and 2007! Each time they were fantastic! In 1965, Glenn Campbell was filling in. No matter who, they were the best. They are the only group I would pay money to see at a concert! Their music will be around forever.
This song is about John Phillip's daughter calling him for help while on her honeymoon. They were out of drugs and money and she needed one or both. He asked where she was and she said, "Somewhere near Japan".
from the album of the same name. one of my favorites they ever did.. they still kick ass. i grew up on this stuff... and i'm 24. thanks mom and and dad!
Carl had such a pure voice. I really miss it. My brother, who is a big BBC fan turned me on to this song over the phone. We lived on opposite sides of the country. . I liked it so much I bought the album. I used to listen to it as I drove back and forth between Lompoc and Santa Barbara to and from work. It seemed right, as my road ran alongside the ocean
Brian did show up in the 80's and did a great job on this song, Still Cruising, California Dreaming, Getcha Back ,etc. Cannot wait for the reunion tour!
I can very clearly hear Brian on the opening of "Island Girl," and he sings lead on "In My Car" as well as doing all the BB vocals (so I've heard) for the "Wipe Out" remake. Why he wasn't involved in the other songs isn't clear aside from his solo career, but I'd imagine he didn't want to be involved any more than Mike wanted him to. That having been said, this is a pretty good song.
This is about Mackenzie Phillips running out of money and drugs on a honeymoon from her first marriage. She called her father begging for both and said she was near Japan. John Phillips wrote the song about the call her got from her.
@Clevelandbrowns58 : Did I ever say the bearded man isn't Carl? Both Carl and Brian and Brian are featured in the video. For example on 0:46: Carl (right) and Brian (left).
@thepen10 the last record of Carl (as well as Al & Brian with the band) was backing vocals in "Fun, Fun, Fun" with Status Quo. It was 1996. Earlier that year BB had their last album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Way under appreciated track. Carl Wilson passed so young. He never got his props. I cannot stand Mike Love, but the Beach Boys deserve their place in the Pantheon of great Bands.
Even though "Still Cruisin" and, ahem, the monstrosity "...paradise" that followed were pretty awful, "Somewhere near Japan" is a pretty decent track. Although having Carl Wilson on any song gives it a fighting chance!
My God radio should be BITCH SLAPPED for not playing this record... It's sOOOOOOOO much better than Kokocrap. Wonderfully written lyrics and just a stellar singing performance from mike and carl. The metaphors in this song are just too cool......
it s so sad to see carl......the heart and the voice of an angel...... we miss ya carl! although carl and dennis are gone......the beach boys will live 4ever!
I do would like to know the whole background story but it is the best song in all styles ever made aaaaa it has saved my life when am depressed aaaaaa.
True story here: John Philip's daughter, McKensie, phoned him during a, ah, difficult period in her life, so he asked her "Where are you?", she says, "Somewhere near Japan"..
Mike didn't push Brian aside. Gene Landy was in control,and he called the shots. Sometimes he made over the top demands to the Beach Boys to have Brian involved. In fact, Brian is not on this record, and is patched in the video. He wasn't even there for the filming of this!! I'm not defending Mike in any way, other than to say there was too many other things involved then and now, which keep the two of them from writing together again. I would guess Brian would rather not though.
this is for sure one of the better BB songs from the 80s. Too bad Dennis was gone and Mike pushed Brian aside by this point. They may have been able to balance Mikes cheese a bit more.
Still Cruisin is great. Summer in Paradise was just poorly produced. Too much synth, not enough bass and rhythm... Summer in Paradise had great songs, and with good producing would have been a really good album.
Was that Brian I saw? Thought Mike bragged this and other songs on "Still Cruisin'" were Brian-free. This has been a HUGE favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. Love Brian as much as anyone, but this one's just fantastic! Version of song doesn't sound like the one on the album: was this recorded separately as a single? THANKS FOR UPLOADING IT!
This is one of the last attempts to be creative from my favorite band. It is truly sad that the only new product after "Still Crusin'" is "Summer in Paradise" or as I call it 'Slumber in Paradise" because that cd will put you to sleep.
I'm no Mike defender, but had Brian been in control at this point, then Landy would've really been pulling the strings and Sweet Insanity is just as embarrassing as Summer in Paradise.
2 thoughts : clearly an average song --still can't understand the lyrics ! --- but it does again remind us of just why Carl Wilson is so badly missed ! Wolfsky9
I just noticed that everybody takes a solo in this song. The Beach Boys used their voices like an orchestra uses instruments. They were able to do this because all of them could really sing. Even Al, always overlooked and underrated, gets a really nice solo.
Beach Boys were so under-rated.
This song is excellent.
Carl Wilson was the most wonderful singer and person.
I love them all.
I had the pleasure to see the Beach Boys in 1964,1965,early 1980's,1992, and 2007!
Each time they were fantastic! In 1965, Glenn Campbell was filling in. No matter who, they were the best. They are the only group I would pay money to see at a concert!
Their music will be around forever.
This song is about John Phillip's daughter calling him for help while on her honeymoon. They were out of drugs and money and she needed one or both. He asked where she was and she said, "Somewhere near Japan".
What a pretty song. And Carl sounds great, as usual.
This is one of my favorite Beach Boys songs! I fell in love with it the first time I heard it!
from the album of the same name. one of my favorites they ever did.. they still kick ass. i grew up on this stuff... and i'm 24. thanks mom and and dad!
A truly fantastic tune...one of the all time great tunes and sadly not given enough credit for what it's worth!
Carl had such a pure voice. I really miss it. My brother, who is a big BBC fan turned me on to this song over the phone. We lived on opposite sides of the country. . I liked it so much I bought the album. I used to listen to it as I drove back and forth between Lompoc and Santa Barbara to and from work. It seemed right, as my road ran alongside the ocean
I have this 45 . Great tune from Still Cruisin '
Brian did show up in the 80's and did a great job on this song, Still Cruising, California Dreaming, Getcha Back ,etc. Cannot wait for the reunion tour!
I've been listening to this song for twenty years and never knew there was a video, love it!
some songs just have the power to soothe me and this is one of them. thank you to the BB for this gem and thank you for posting it.
GREAT song.
They are the most underated band of allaaaaa,
@Clevelandbrowns58 C'mon guys. All five are in the video - Mike, Carl, Brian, Bruce and Al.
I can very clearly hear Brian on the opening of "Island Girl," and he sings lead on "In My Car" as well as doing all the BB vocals (so I've heard) for the "Wipe Out" remake. Why he wasn't involved in the other songs isn't clear aside from his solo career, but I'd imagine he didn't want to be involved any more than Mike wanted him to. That having been said, this is a pretty good song.
God, how I miss Carl!
yes that's brian! he had a few solo songs on the album too... i miss this song
i bet he's gonna do some stuff with mike, al and bruce now!
I love this video. I also covered this tune on my first Cd, "Diamonds On the Beach"
John Hunter Phillips
This is about Mackenzie Phillips running out of money and drugs on a honeymoon from her first marriage. She called her father begging for both and said she was near Japan. John Phillips wrote the song about the call her got from her.
@Clevelandbrowns58 : Did I ever say the bearded man isn't Carl? Both Carl and Brian and Brian are featured in the video. For example on 0:46: Carl (right) and Brian (left).
Believe me, there 's plenty of Brian in this video!
those were the days. Between 86 and 91 they recorded many songs. Lets hope they put it out on a cd one of these days for the fans
carl makes this one of there best.
Brian's footage was filmed at a separate session and edited in. He doesn't song on the song itself, as far as I know.
Trust me, it's Brian. Bruce is in it,too, but Brian is there with Carl on right.
What an exotic and memorable song. I have always wondered about the full meaning of the song.
Sooooo good.
cool i love the beachboys
@californiantbird Their music will forever have a huge impact on the world
@thepen10 the last record of Carl (as well as Al & Brian with the band) was backing vocals in "Fun, Fun, Fun" with Status Quo. It was 1996. Earlier that year BB had their last album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
Way under appreciated track. Carl Wilson passed so young. He never got his props. I cannot stand Mike Love, but the Beach Boys deserve their place in the Pantheon of great Bands.
AWESOME SONG THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MADE
INTO A MOVIE
@HollandSmile
The man with the beard is Carl!
Fucking awesome! Brian is in this one!
Even though "Still Cruisin" and, ahem, the monstrosity "...paradise" that followed were pretty awful, "Somewhere near Japan" is a pretty decent track. Although having Carl Wilson on any song gives it a fighting chance!
My God radio should be BITCH SLAPPED for not playing this record... It's sOOOOOOOO much better than Kokocrap. Wonderfully written lyrics and just a stellar singing performance from mike and carl. The metaphors in this song are just too cool......
The last great Beach Boys song ?
it s so sad to see carl......the heart and the voice of an angel...... we miss ya carl!
although carl and dennis are gone......the beach boys will live 4ever!
1:09 and the funny thing is....this song WAS Carl's last.
I do would like to know the whole background story but it is the best song in all styles ever made aaaaa
it has saved my life when am depressed aaaaaa.
Is that Brian i see in the video?
I'm glad I'm not somewhere near Japan today!
@relimes
yes, that's Brian
@Clevelandbrowns58 : ehm nope, Bruce pops up a few seconds later, 0:50-0:52.
@HollandSmile that's not brian, that's bruce johnson...
Anyone know for sure what the line is after 'I think I'm sinking fast' ?
Sounds like 'this call is probably masked'
but I've never been sure...
Thanks
What type of guitars are used in this song? What a wonderful sound they have together.
True story here: John Philip's daughter, McKensie, phoned him during a, ah, difficult period in her life, so he asked her "Where are you?", she says, "Somewhere near Japan"..
Be still my heart....
Carl looks like Bob Vila in this video, lol!
This is cool
@HollandSmile no that's definitiv Carl (man with the beard)
Mike didn't push Brian aside. Gene Landy was in control,and he called the shots. Sometimes he made over the top demands to the Beach Boys to have Brian involved. In fact, Brian is not on this record, and is patched in the video. He wasn't even there for the filming of this!! I'm not defending Mike in any way, other than to say there was too many other things involved then and now, which keep the two of them from writing together again. I would guess Brian would rather not though.
The last Beachboys Hit?
Dream about this song last night i live for their best tune a
What it is this lyrics about a areally?
As catchy a BB song as you will hear
The girl is qute who is she ?
this is for sure one of the better BB songs from the 80s. Too bad Dennis was gone and Mike pushed Brian aside by this point. They may have been able to balance Mikes cheese a bit more.
have to say im not a fan of late beach boys, but this song is too epic
Still Cruisin is great. Summer in Paradise was just poorly produced. Too much synth, not enough bass and rhythm... Summer in Paradise had great songs, and with good producing would have been a really good album.
1989
What year was this?
This it is a song about some one dies in a plane crash not a thing else a
Yet another BB single ignored by commercial radio for not FITTING THE MOLD
Was that Brian I saw? Thought Mike bragged this and other songs on "Still Cruisin'" were Brian-free.
This has been a HUGE favorite of mine since the first time I heard it. Love Brian as much as anyone, but this one's just fantastic!
Version of song doesn't sound like the one on the album: was this recorded separately as a single?
THANKS FOR UPLOADING IT!
This is one of the last attempts to be creative from my favorite band. It is truly sad that the only new product after "Still Crusin'" is "Summer in Paradise" or as I call it 'Slumber in Paradise" because that cd will put you to sleep.
It's about substance abuse.
Hey folks... Tell me... Is there something better than this?
fuck it second comment, i fukin love this tune
I humbly invite you to check out my version of this song onmy CD, "Diamonds On the Beach" by John Hunter Phillips
who play snare and bass-drums in this MV.
don't tell me it's John Stamos.
I'm no Mike defender, but had Brian been in control at this point, then Landy would've really been pulling the strings and Sweet Insanity is just as embarrassing as Summer in Paradise.
2 thoughts : clearly an average song --still can't understand the lyrics ! --- but it does again remind us of just why Carl Wilson is so badly missed ! Wolfsky9
Mike Love may have "ruined" the Beach Boys, but this is still a great song, well-performed. Not a Mike Love fan myself, but don't trash a good song!