The First Class - Beach Baby

[HHH100]

Listen @ 3:06 and after....That orchestra is ACES!!!! My how this talent disappeared from earth thanks to liberals :(

[theread59]

Ahh, 2SM the AM pop radio kings of Sydney radio in 1974. This takes me back to the western suburbs of the city and summer school holidays of Christmas that year hearing this played a lot then. It still sounds great now and is a shining example of excellent analog production in the days before computers and auto tune. Great pop music!! If you like this be awed by Wizzard's "See My Baby Jive"!!

[toifesludaaa]

nicest music from the world i swear.

[SpaceOdyssey56]

Great sound on this video!

Thanks for posting!

[jamofsocal]

I went to St. Bernard High School in Play Del Rey, CA from 1978-1982. We about as close to the beach as you can get. This song was a little before my time, but I still think about all the beach babes in our school. What a time, what a life. *sigh*

Most of the girls are now soccer moms, but I will always remember the shorts, tube tops, and bikinis. I can at least daydream about my high school crushes when I hear this song.

Thanks for posting this song!!

[supobostarman]

Lots of memories of the early 70's in this!

[SeattleLA]

What a song! I remember the week it came out, listening to it on KFRC many more weeks, Doctor Don Rose, San Francisco, on my school bus rides. So great, one of my favorites from 1974.

[jamo387]

This to me was right on the cusp of the transition to FM radio for music. I remember my cousin telling me about FM radio, I believe it was 99MHz something or other. I was listening to 77 WABC and 66 NBC AM in New York at that time. He made me feel like I was a square. He also had a rad 8 track in his car with rear speakers and quadraphonic in his attic bedroom. This was definitely AM radio material. Great stuff, good Beach Boys feel.

[tonybolonixx]

FANTASTIC song ! i always thought mike batt had a hand in it somewhere ??guess i'm mistaken...

[GeorginaDaniels]

OMG the summer of 74 - Isle of Wight, Warners Holiday Camp - 2 weeks in July. The rest is a blur sorry. Anne, Julie, Kay - remember "Holiday the Warner Way " !!!

[MrSunlander]

Damn!? They were Limeys?  Love it!

[ArielsPhotog]

Ive worked w/ The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, The Ventures and Papa Doo Run Run. I had always hoped they wouldve dropped this song into their play lists... But it never happend. My favorite beach song by a British band!

[jimmatera]

I won,t be caugt dead on a Beach--unless it was for some kinda fun--

Laughing at age.

[menmenm]

Try getting THIS out of your head when trying to study :D

[RJY4356]

The firs time I heard this song was the first day of summer- June 21, 1995 when David Letterman played it on his show to celebrate the start of sumemr and they dropped a few plastic bech balls form the ceiling onto the audience. I had a hard time finding a recording of it then. Now with iTunes and You Tube it's more esaily available : ) Classic song!

[dennie6666]

The Sound of Edison Lighthouse , today number one till in 1000 years !!!

[DaveWollenberg]

FC hit #4 in Billboard, 10-5-74. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx! Not really sure if it could still be beach weather by the end of September, though.

[bcushing]

Best Beach Boy rip-off of all time. And I mean that as a compliment.

[sergeant2412]

@bcushing

I think the harmonies and music are a touch better than Beach Boys. But this is just one hit by First Class. Beach Boys do have them there. i give u thumbs up!

[tmt182182]

Tony Burrows was so HOTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Cute baby he was!!!!!!!!!!!

[pjwsnooty]

Can't believe I found this! Thanks 45rpmSINGLES. It helped we British to imagine our own version of SUMMER and all it stood for when we were young. I think it's one of Jean Sibelius's works they draw upon at approx. 03:00...

[gmcrum]

This song is Gold for me. Heard it on the radio of my Austin-Healy 3000 that I'd worked to put back together from 5:00 PM Friday 'til 5:00 PM Saturday, as I went to pick my date, Linda. Linda had long black hair, huge tits and a knockout smile.

Every time I hear "Beach Baby" I think of her!

[gva0917]

Chuck, looks like I am "late to the dance." My apologies. I remember and loved this song. I realize all you "guys" are well-versed in musical composition, etc., things I have no knowledge of. I just love music - all kinds - and remember loving it from the time I wa so young I don't remember it. My mom is the one who told me that as little as 2/3 music would calm me down when nothing else worked and that, even then, if I liked it you could be assured I was "dancing." Forgive my tardiness.

[MightySaturn5]

a modern (at the time) twist of that happy late 50's-early 60's type song -this mid 70's recording sounds clean yet powerful, you can tell they put a lot of time in the studio to get such a well balanced mix.

I've listened to lots of recordings on our bands large high fidelity PA system -instead of making all recordings sound good it actually brings out flaws you normally wouldn't hear however with this recording the dynamics, cleaness and instrument / vocal mix is stunning

[chkjns]

@MightySaturn5 My good friend, really appreciate your analysis on this, funny we were listening at almost the same time! I suspect a BIG part of this song's magic is those things you said come out stunning. Even on a smaller sound system that clean crispness of sound is here. I was noticing that crisp sound was KEY to the Big Bands - recently heard a contemporary big band that was just mush & lost the entire feel it should have had. It takes great TALENT and skill to pull off songs like these!

[SwingStreetCafe]

@chkjns

thanks Chuck:)

i can't wait summer!!

[MightySaturn5]

@chkjns Perfectly said (as always) Chuck, have a wonderful day my friend.

[427PRisk]

another blast from the past, the full version,those were the days and the times,

[KallistiUK]

I always thought this was the Beach Boys, but no its that Edison Lighthouse chap! Ahh it brings back fantastic memories!

[mjpers1]

Great song, but can't believe how long it was, and so many parts! I bet they edited it down for radio back then even 4 minutes was pushing it.

[coolsouthernrain75]

@mjpers1 ........Radio station do edit this song but they always leave out the last two minutes which is my favorite part.

[gmcrum]

I remember this song on the radio late one Saturday afternoon when I'd just put my Austin-Healey 3000 back together and was going to pick up a girl named Linda Price for a Saturday night.

A sweet tune, a sweet car and a sweet girl; Shagadelic Baby!

[tony121s]

pop at it's best - always get a kinda bittersweet happy \ sad feeling when I hear this song.

[mrob75]

Back to school time ala 1974! Wow, great memories associated to this song! Where did we go wrong?! What is up with all the vulgar hip-hop/rap crap of today?

[HHH100]

@mrob75 The liberals/progressives democrats RUN Hollywood and the music industry. It is as simple as that. Do the research and find out for yourself. This is why I can't understand why people keep voting these ideologies into government???

[zappasaurus]

There is just something about bubblegum. A guilty pleasure I guess.

[chkjns]

@zappasaurus This is the 'something' about bubblegum - it's the SCORE !!! THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP, Flourishing Brass, Soaring Strings, Heavenly Vocal Harmony, and that THUMP THUMP THUMP beat! There's a story, just in the instrumentation, there's joy, suspense, and a happy resolution at the end, and tons of other stuff in between. This song is a musical bungee jump! It's one of if not THE best feel-good songs of all time! My channel is the hall of fame for great music.

[gto66solstice08]

Memories of the Far East Network on Okinawa .... "The 50,000 watt Flamethrower," broadcasting from "On Top of the RocK"!

USMC /USAF types ther in the early 70's know ...

[sayne812]

I've always thought that this song is exactly what you would get if Brian Wilson wrote a song with Paul McCartney and Phil Spector produced it. I can hear the Brian parts and the Paul parts.

[chkjns]

@sayne812 I LOVE your analysis of this !!! I think you're dead on !!!! My channel is 625 playlists of (imho) music like this. They include 15,000 songs, but THIS is one of my 110 absolute favorites! The strings just SOAR in this, talk about being taken to another PLACE !!!! I'm gone !!!! Glad to see so many people appreciating the absolute BEST with this video !!!! Jeez, now it's those horns at 3:06 !

[yarekhunt]

I FREEKIN LOVE THIS SONG!!!!!! I USED TO SING THIS WITH MY DAUGHTER! THANX SOOO MUCH FOR THE MEMORIES

[drummer5359]

This song was supposed to remind people of the Beach Boys with similar vocal harmonies and imagry. Tony Burrows was a singer that had hits released under several "band" names. Each song was actually studio musicians with his vocals. "Love grows (where my Rosemary goes)" by Edison Lighthouse," My baby loes lovin'" by White Plains," Gimmie dat ding" by the Pipkins and "Beach Baby" by First Class all featured Tony Burrows on lead vocals. He also contributed vocals to the hit "United we stand".

[tiana1017]

whoa, i think this old 80's girl group from england called strawberry switchblade sampled 3:06- 3:19 on their "since yesterday" song..

[TheDavidjoy]

Sayseverything about the 60's, fun sun and lots of lovely girls who didn't fall about vomiting in the town's high streets, leaving little to the imagaition dress wise. There were so many classy girls back then. Now the girls can fight better than the guys. Days gone forever, but thank God my memories have not gone yet!!

[coalfires]

i think this sound so-much like the beach boys, does it not? bye the way what are firstclass upto now? thanks for posting.

[chinesecresteddoll]

This is my favorite version of this great song. Thanks so much for the posting!

[lovetheoldies]

lol, duh!!!

[unskinnyboba]

Best song the Beach Boys NEVER did

[SkyHbr]

@unskinnyboba Song was done by 'First Class' not the Beach Boys

[deloufu]

@SkyHbr That's true but for what's it's worth, my guess this is something that the Beach Boys would have done. Again that's what I think.

[Shabannie]

I enjoyed the video!

[45rpmSINGLES]

@Shabannie thanks !

[mickyblue247]

Been a long time since I heard this ! brings back great memories. Thanks for the post and thanks Loretta !

[HEMIdoctor]

such memories of those summer days 

[Joerotty]

This is one of the songs I play when i'm in the mood to reminise or just want to forget all my problems and just feel good.

[palehorseone]

What a wonderfully uplifting song from my early 20's! If only they made 'em like this these days...

[0410barb]

what a wonderful song brings back memories of summer weekends spent at north narrabeen woohoo great times!!

[ABAYCITYROLLERMANIAC]

This song reached number four on the US charts on Oct. 5, 1974 (I remember I bought the 7" single). It's one of my all-time favorite songs. Many thanks to YouTube's 45rpmSINGLES for this BLAST from the past! Enjoy!!

[johncfl]

This really is a fun, wonderful song. You could write a movie around this it's so inspirational. Maybe I will.

[johncfl]

From Wikipedia: "Carter and Shakespeare wrote the song "Beach Baby" in the summer of 1974 in their home in East Sheen, South West London, far from California or, for that matter, any beach. Carter immediately enlisted the help of lead singer Tony Burrows and another session singer, Chas Mills, to record the song for Jonathan King's UK Records record label under the name The First Class."

[39rc6cf]

I wrote "Son of a Beach Baby" but no publisher wanted it.

[chkjns]

Great vocals, a driving peat & a backup orchestra with a symphonic sound, hear those strings starting at 1:30, this is what makes old school music ROCK!

It's quality musicianship with dynamic contrast.

I'm listing the music of the century, worldwide, on 500 playlists at my channel, & added this to 1974's list, 1 of 111 lists for every year since 1900. Appreciate the FANTASTIC background you gave us on this! You'll help my listeners LEARN about this music, not just listen, 50 thumbs up ! ! !

[pmc8219]

@chkjns love this song, finishing school then just larkin about all summer til work and the real world beckoned. 53 now and still love it!

[chkjns]

@pmc8219 - I graduated that year, too! The 'year' playlists on my channel are made for memories, hopefully good ones, but even in the tough times, sometimes it was the music that pulled us through. Chuck

[sport142]

Great song...

[XXXXLOWRIDERXXXX]

I USTO L ISTEN TO THIS SONG AT 8 YRS OLD ON A OLD TRANSISTOR RADIO. I WOULD PUT IT ON MY PILLOW FULL BLAST.. DIDNT HAVE WALKMANS LOL

[SeldomSheBoredMe]

Forever summer since '74!

[ratmanf13]

What a song!

[Rockage1960]

Can any1 tell me if this woz the band that changed there name I think 2 Gidea Park & did a medley of Beach boy songs about 7 Yrs after this song came out.

[birdyboy1961]

@ pragnerp

So you were listening to this in '71 were you? Good one! It wasn't written until 1974.

[olemuckspreader]

emily, I think of my miss-spent youth when I hear this song.

It makes me realise that summers come and go far too quickly and before you know it, you're an old fart thinking about the good old days!

[Sportino89]

GREAT used in SCOTLAND - movie

[Davai007]

thank you my fave childhood song peace

[DrinkingStar]

One of the few songs that capture the feel & sound of the 60s California seen. ....5*

[deloufu]

@DrinkingStar I agree with that. When I first heard the song to be honest with you I though it was the Beach Boys. The reason for me thinking that way was this is the type of song the Beach would do. Now wouldn't you agree?

[movingahead09]

Toe tapping while I'm working!

[bjbeatron]

Tony Burrows seemed to have a purple patch of near song writing genius from about 1969 to 1971-2. He definitely wanted to hang onto this song.

[pragnerp]

Do you remember back in old LA

Yeah.. We remember this from '71.

[Germtrancsuperman]

Romantic Brothers - FLOWERS - ! Real smash about real situation! It's i-pod's fav fab KILLER! Listen it! Next beach idol:)

[airager]

Brilliant! One of the best songs ever. Brian Wilson would be proud if he'd done this.

[gottacatchemall72]

There are a lot of people who think this IS a Brian Wilson song. It could have been, it sounds so Beach Boyish. Kind of like something a BW-produced Three Dog Night band might do.

[airager]

@gottacatchemall72 I agree with the BW comparison. That's why Ilove this track, I'm a Beach Boys fan! I think Al Jardine would have sang it at that time, it suits his voice. It's hard to imagine the track being bettered but I'm sure Brian would have managed it somehow.

[mibeesaye]

what a prick.....Tony you are our hero from 71......

[hirofan]

The guy who sang for Edison Lighthouse, right?

[scazb9]

fantasic song and memories

[DanceNekid]

Thanks for posting! One of the great tunes from my childhood. :)

Did anyone notice that the record playing at the beginning is a 33 1/3 LP, not a 45? And it's turning counter-clockwise. :)

[brian6078]

@DanceNekid Cool;didn't know they had record players that played counter clock wise?Also it  obviously would have to be a special record for that turntable.

[brian6078]

@DanceNekid - My eyes must be going?The turntable is moving counter clock wise.

[jpmorbid]

Nice to see this on here. I have a gold record of this song that was my uncle's for promoting this song back then. I was a young kid in Newport Beach when it came out and have great memories of those days and my incredibly fun uncle.

[glutubular]

It doesn't get any better than this.

[vegas5569]

Surprisingly deft composition on this unforgettable number. Love the french horn!

[crazymandan59]

This is one of those bittersweet songs that makes me happy and sad at the same time. It's hard to believe it's been over 35 years. The juke box plays, but now it's fading away. In fact, what's a juke box? LOL I never thought it would end either, but that clock is a b#tch. Here's to all the beach babies I ever knew-- may they live on in my mind forever!

[tcma2008]

@crazymandan59

I feel the same way

[thomasmantellwilliam]

First Class INDEED!

[les284]

Tony Burrows not singing the lead, he's playing the giuter directly to the leads right.

[deltorso]

great song .

[PartyiRene]

"Do remember back in old L.A., when everyone drove a Chevrolet?" SWEET!!!!!!! Thanks for posting. Great Job! Kudos!

[tomkes100]

Im back again. only 51 comments so sad. but far more important BEACH BABY by the 1tst Class is FOREVER.This song will endure folks for all ternity. What a sound what spirit what a song. MEGAHIT. thanks guys. We love ya/ TOMKES doo wop/rocknroll historian

[emilyg21]

after every weekend i'm home from college, i play this song in the car as i'm leaving the driveway on my way back to school. i'm not sure why...i guess there's just something comforting about it that makes me think of good times.

[Cdpierson5]

I woke up this morning with this song stuck in my head. It really takes me back.

[tomkes100]

what a big hit a great song one of the true greats BEACH BABY by this famous group. call it a one hit wonder or not , this doo wop /rocknroll historian whos heard em all knows great songs and this is one of then. Thanks First Class TOMKES

[69emeraldgreen]

nothing 2 say.......it´s leaving breathless... wot a wonderful song....i luv it....

[theworldwillknowme]

nice use of the last movement of Sibelius' 5th symphony in the instrumental part!

[lfun7878]

きしだんがぱくってたね。

[NoMercyJustCruelty]

"Breech baby, breech baby give me your foot..ah ha ha ha ha!"

[anniebannycallum]

my daddy was in that band :)

[deloufu]

Oh what memories.

[spiderdragon1969]

Everything Tony Burrows sang turned to gold. What an amazing talent and such a beautiful voice!

[maytloo]

This is one of my favorite songs from the 70s. In fact, it's on one of my old K-Tel albums titled California Sun.

[blondiebabs]

this is really fab !!

oohhhh love it !!! im gona dance now lol!!!!!! cheers mission xxxxxbabs

[MsCaptainJaneway]

so catchy lol

[carrieanne1967]

Tony Burrows was one of my first man crushes ( little shallow I know but true ) Love this song - Great video - Thanks for the share !!!

[anitashelby]

A Fantastic Song from the 70's! 5*s Thank You .....Anita...

[mission507]

Tony Burrows ...a superb talent ! ******

[glamslam74]

Great love it 5*****

[shaniaisgod]

I like the extended Album Version Better, But this is still excellent. Yes i do have this on Vinyl

[mission507]

******** awesome !

[10mins2go]

This is track 1, side 2 on my LP K-tel Surfin' Safari, an album of classic surfing songs from the 60's & 70's. Great to hear it again, brings back huge memories.

[trossachs2003]

which is funny cos its 100% english. Listen carefully to the refrain the horns are playing at the beginning and especially right at the very end as it fades...hear it? Its the melody line of "Let's Go, San Fransisco" by the Flowerpotmen. Same writers, same singer and the best song never done by the Mamas and the Papas. A neat little piece of self reference. I sooo love it.

[icbr]

drproctor, the K-Tel LP was "Out of Sight," from early '75. I have it, too...somewhere. This is the best damned song the Beach Boys never wrote/recorded!

[nealadams70]

i agree...its  a retro BEach boys song

[jacsarahmills]

It's not that confusing - they did what they did because they loved singing and songwriting. They didn't love touring tho lol... and they didn't yearn to be famous... ;-)

[Livesteam45]

Wayback Machine in full tilt......Pt. Pleasant, New Jersey.......Jenkinsen's Beach. Cathy G, where are you?

[lonedove1981]

Livesteam45:

I'm with you on the "wayback"... The summer before I went in the Army... Erie, PA at the Peninsula... Beach 6... Helen P, have fun in Paris... we had a party didn't we!

[humbleradio]

Is Jenkinsen's still called that? Haven't been there in ages. Miss it like crazy.

[1martuska]

I will never get tierd of this song! FABULOUS!

[KatradioNY]

Tony Burrows was the lead vocalist in so many pop tunes and with different "groups"... "My Baby Loves Lovin" - White Plains... "Gimme Dat Thing" - The Pipkins..Love grows Where My Rosemary Goes" - Edison Lighthouse.."United We Stand" - Brotherhood Of Man and First Class!

Simply amazing voice! Pure pop...pure GOOD..period!

[Luvinthe70s]

Sometime I wonder if there's anything Tony Burrows didn't have a hand in with the vocals in the 70's. The guy has one stellar and timeless voice!! ~Peace out and Gods Blessings~.

[humbleradio]

I didn't realize this. Amazing. Great songs, all!

[drproctor13]

I remember having this on one of those K-Tel compilation LP's back in the mid-1970's. Truly, a classic song. Thank you for posting it.

[StanBennet]

Funny -- that's where I have the recording of this song.

[1AussieAvenger1]

CLASSIC !! one of the ultimate fun in the sun songs ever made. its a wonder some rap r&b dance crew hasnt made a new version. i sorta hope they dont coz this is the best the way it is... :o)

[jklace]

Love this song, from my youth. Thanks for posting.

[thestevo46]

yes,this is uk life,still is

[CrazyBoutThe70s]

top song!

[LBjim]

When I was kid I thought this was the Beach Boys,not a bunch of Brits!

Impressive, from an old surfer fom southern California..Thanks!

[hrpman]

Tony Burrows - the greatest singer you never heard of! (That's what his own website proclaims) Fantastic! And listen carefully to the horns right at the end - it's Let's Go To Sanfrancisco by the Flowerpot Men (another Burrows disguise!)

[LeanaJoH76]

One of my favorite beach songs! Thanks.

[DefinitionDiana]

Yaay :D

[hlywdplayer]

Thank yoooooo for posting this CLASSIC in its entire version .....

[dettigs]

great song.......i love the harmonies when they sing the chorus.........

[newall7]

the sensational tony burrows

what a fab record

brings back memories

[garymuzik]

This song makes is one of my favorites from my favorite year of music; 1974, which had Night Chicago Died, Billy Don't be a Hero, Rock me Gently, Seasons in the Sun and many more!

[thestevo46]

love u baby

[kevnat123]

this song gave me the chills when i was little and still does

love the song

[aristacourt]

Incredible, one of those great 70s songs that still appreciated these days.

[garyco345]

A fantastic song, never get tired of it.Seems anything Tony Burrows was involved with was amazing,great.5 *****

[ediann]

Love it!

[icbr]

Thanks for this. Awhile back someone posted this but the song was abbreviated...shame!!! No wonder it was pulled off YouTube. This is the greatest song the Beach Boys never wrote.