"Hang On To Your Ego" VS "I Know There's An Answer"

"Hang On To Your Ego" was originally going to be on Pet Sounds, but Mike Love suspected it was about LSD, and feared his cousin was taking the drug. Brian thought it was a bad idea, too, so he changed the song's lyrics. Which song do you think is better? Leave a comment, and tell which one!!! I personally like "Hang On To Your Ego".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Beach
• Boys
• Pet
• Sounds
• Mike
• Love
• Brian
• Wilson
• 1966

[tmoenste]

I never understood why they changed it. Isn't the phrase "hang onto your ego" saying "don't take LSD"? If you want to shatter your ego, take LSD. If you want to hang onto your ego, don't take it. Right?

If they were against drug use, then why would they have a problem with lyrics telling you not to use drugs?? I never figured this out, and I'm surprised no one else has brought up this confusion here.

Besides that, I do like Mike's voice on lead better than Brian's for this song.

[mavsfan1000]

Hang on to your ego feels like what the song should be named. Brian was just forced to change the name of the song and later on talks negatively about LSD. (shattering his brain) But at the time of the song, this is what he wanted the song to be named. It sets the mood for this song.

[spacepatrolman]

@tmoenste Al said hang on to your ego was too egotistical but nobody said it was about drugs maybe they should have called it al knows there is an answer mike sings do be do be but al sings the verses

[joethulhuz]

I've only just now realized they're the same song. I've had a copy of Pet Sounds for a very long time, with "Hang On..." tacked onto the end, and I always assumed it was just the last song on the album. Now I feel silly.

[svenssoncorps]

I like both

[doofenrohr]

the mistake whiletalking about music and drugs is to evaluate the drugs.

it is the experience that counts, not he drug itself.so when something is thought in a greater awareness.it is not helpful to intrepret that something with a narrow mind.

for me thissong leads to 2different possibilities: to go on with a concentration on yourself, be introverted, hang on toyour ego, AND the calming message from outside:there is an answer,hang on to the outer message as an extroverted viewpoint.

[andreaostrovletania]

From Wiki on "I know there's an answer":

The lead vocal was sung by Mike Love and Al Jardine with Brian Wilson singing lead on the choruses. On "Hang on to Your Ego", Brian is the only one singing the lead vocal. The song features interesting use of a bass harmonica and a banjo.

[andreaostrovletania]

@tmoenste It doesn't say "don't take drugs". It says try not to lose your ego as you 'trip'. But then the singer confesses that he too is 'guilty' and is a tripper(and no one can win the 'fight'.)

Mike's voice was one of the leads in "I Know There's an Answer".

[beef4uandme]

Hang on to your Ego was a better lyric, but i think Mike sang it better.

[bravenewlogon]

"EGO!" Love wasn't necessarily an idiot, but certainly didn't have the vision Brian had. What's ironic? The simple fact- upon their return from the UK- they weren't prepared for what Brian had been cooking. Can't help but question the statement that the "lyrics were changed" due to Love's preoccupation with LSD? Brian was writing on another level entirely, interchangeable melodies- choruses becoming bridges, he expounds on it fairly well in "Beautiful Dreamer." SMILE PEOPLE

[mybrucespringsteen]

pet. sounds.

[CHANCHOFACE]

FEED YOUR HEAD