Wouldn’t It Be Nice

Annotations

The intro starts out at 120 bpm, but from the first chorus onwards the tempo fluctuates between 122 and 126 bpm. The third verse is abruptly slowed down to about 106–110 bpm, the outro is more or less back to the quicker tempo at ca. 128 bpm.

The pitch is at about 438 Hz, although the guitars in the intro are further detuned.

The electric bass part was played by Carol Kaye, doubled by Lyle Ritz on upright bass. Ray Pohlman also plays mostly the same bassline on a Fender VI six-string bass guitar, sometimes up an octave and with some additional notes in the outro.

Annotations

The intro starts out at 120 bpm, but from the first chorus onwards the tempo fluctuates between 122 and 126 bpm. The third verse is abruptly slowed down to about 106–110 bpm, the outro is more or less back to the quicker tempo at ca. 128 bpm.

The pitch is at about 438 Hz, although the guitars in the intro are further detuned.

Additional resources

• Live at the Olympia–Bruno Coquatrix, Paris, France (1969) @02:54
• Live on the David Frost Show (1971)

  Early live performances with Al Jardine taking over lead vocal duties from Brian Wilson, who was absent during this period.

• Live at Live Aid, John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA (1985)

  Brian Wilson back on lead vocals and keyboards, but missing Dennis Wilson who passed away in 1983.

• Live at the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan (1991)

  Carl Wilson on lead vocals.

• Live at the Royal Festival Hall, London, England (2002) @01:07

  From a Brian Wilson solo tour, where he and his backing band performed the complete Pet Sounds album, closely replicating the original arrangements and production.

• Live from the 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour (2012)

  Surviving founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine reunited for a one-off tour with early member David Marks and long-time member Bruce Johnston, as well as many musicians from Brian Wilson’s backing band.

• Studio session (2016)

  Brian Wilson and Al Jardine re-recording the song in the studio with Al’s son Matt Jardine on lead vocals.

• The Beach Boys: A Sessionography

  Fabulously in-depth notes covering every aspect of the Pet Sounds recording process.