"Getcha Back" by The Beach Boys

Song#:  2341
Date:  05/25/1985
Debut:  51
Peak:  26
Weeks:  12
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  The last time the Beach Boys recorded a regular studio album was in 1980 with Keepin' the Summer Alive, which featured the #83 Pop chart entry "Goin' On." Even then, the band was in shambles and their future uncertain. They hadn't had a Top 10 hit since 1976 and it seemed like they were on the verge of quitting. But an oddball single in '81 called "The Beach Boys Medley" unexpectedly reached #12 and suddenly there was reignited interest in the group. A hits package was quickly assembled and an old track "Come Go with Me" was pushed out as a single and got to #18. It was prime time for a comeback, but even as they toured and enjoyed the resurgence, there was inner struggles within the band. Then tragically Dennis Wilson drowned late in '83. His death seemed to spur the band to seriously get back into action and late in '84 they began work on a new album. The self-titled LP was completed the following year and this first single was issued out. AC latched on to it immediately and the song rose to #2, which was their first Top 10 on that chart. The throwback tune wasn't a big hit at Pop, but it did become their first newly recorded song to reach the Top 30 since 1976.

ReduxReview:  The famous Beach Boys harmonies are present in this track and their trademark song style is there too. The updated production is nice and beefy with Levine providing a near-Phil Spector-ish wall of sound. All the elements were there, so why am I not a fan of the track? I have a feeling it has to do with the song itself. It's rather bland and doesn't go anywhere. The chorus is lacking punch and it doesn't have a sing-along factor. It sounds like an old second-tier Beach Boys song that was left on the cutting room floor and revived via 80s technology. It's like going to an old classic restaurant and one of the menu items sounds so good, but when you get the meal it's just okay and a bit disappointing.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  For the new album, the band decided to get with the times and modernize their sound. For a producer, they hired on Steve Levine, who had been having great success working with Culture Club. Levine brought in synths, drum machines, and other modern equipment and the band was receptive to the new technology. Levine also brought along some help from Culture Club. Members Boy George and Roy Hay contributed a song titled "Passing Friend" with Hay playing most of the instruments on the track. A couple of other stars pitched in as well. Ringo Starr played on a track while Stevie Wonder contributed a song and played several instruments on it as well.

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