10 Best Covers Of Beach Boys Songs
2. Caroline, No – Chrissie Hynde
Something of an oddity here – Caroline, No featured as the final track on The Beach Boys' seminal Pet Sounds album, however it was initially released as a single under Brian Wilson's name as a solo artist (his debut).
Brian Wilson co-wrote the song with Tony Asher, with the title and inspiration coming from a misheard lyrical suggestion (see entry 214 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs). Reportedly, Wilson told Asher about a girl called Carol whom Wilson had like in high school. Asher came back with the phrase, “Oh, Carol, I Know,” which Wilson mistakenly heard as “Caroline, no.”
The track features bass flutes, vibraphone, harpsichord, 12-string electric guitar and a water cooler jug as improvised percussion. The single failed to chart in the UK, back in 1966, and reached only number 32 in the US. Nevertheless, it has gone on to be considered a landmark composition.
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Chrissie Hynde is perhaps best known for her work as the primary force behind The Pretenders. As a solo artist, she has collaborated with Cher, UB40 and a host of other notables.
Her wonderful, fluttering version of this song is full of invention and magic.