"Heads You WinTails I Lose" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band The Beach Boys. It was released on their 1962 album Surfin' Safari.Elliott, Brad: "Surf's Up! The Beach Boys On Record 1961-1981", page 18. Popular Culture Ink, 1991.
Composition According to lyricist Gary Usher, "Heads You WinTails I Lose" resulted from an effort to turn contemporary expressions into songs.Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 48. Continuum Publishing, 2007. The song is in AABA form. In the A sections, the typical doo-wop chord patterns are split in half, and then repeated: I-vi-I-vi-IV-V-IV-V. The B section is a more traditional pattern, much like other songs from Surfin' Safari.Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 48-49. Continuum Publishing, 2007.
Recording "Heads You WinTails I Lose" was recorded at the last Surfin' Safari session, on September 6, 1962.Doe, Andrew G.: "gigs6162." Bellagio 10452. Retrieved on 2012-02-08. While Nik Venet is officially credited as producer, some of the participants claim that Brian Wilson did the production work.Doe, Andrew G.: "Album Archive ." Bellagio 10452. Retrieved on 2012-02-08.
Personnel The Beach Boys Mike Love lead vocals David Marks rhythm guitar Brian Wilson harmony and backing vocals; bass guitar Carl Wilson harmony and backing vocals; lead guitar Dennis Wilson harmony and backing vocals; drums
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