"Getcha Back" is a song written by Mike Love and Terry Melcher for the American rock band the Beach Boys, on their 1985 album The Beach Boys. It was the band's first release since the drowning death of Dennis Wilson in 1983. The song peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Musically, the backing vocals resemble those from the 1959 hit "Hushabye" by the Mystics, which the Beach Boys had covered in 1964 for their All Summer Long album. Comparisons could also be made to Bruce Springsteen's 1980 hit "Hungry Heart", which Love later recorded a cover of for a tribute album.
Reception Cash Box said the song "so wonderously recalls [the Beach Boys'] earlier times and earlier sounds."
Allmusic's William Ruhlmann stated that "despite the production sheen provided by Steve Levine (of Culture Club fame), this is another competent but uninspired effort."
Music video The music video, directed by Dominic Orlando, was filmed on location in Malibu and Venice, California. It featured a then-unknown Katherine Kelly Lang, who went on to play Brooke Logan on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.
Personnel Credits sourced from Craig Slowinski, John Brode, Will Crerar and Joshilyn Hoisington.
The Beach Boys Al Jardine - backing vocals Bruce Johnston - backing vocals Mike Love - lead and backing vocals Brian Wilson - co-lead and backing vocals Carl Wilson - backing vocals
Session musicians John Alder - electric and acoustic guitars Graham Broad - jingle stick, tambourine, castanets, maracas, bongos Steve Grainger - baritone saxophone Steve Levine - Fairlight CMI and LinnDrum programming, producer Julian Lindsay - Kurzweil K250, PPG Wave 2.3, Yamaha DX1, bass guitar Terry Melcher - backing vocals, Kurzweil K250
Chart positions Chart (1985)Peakposition Australian Singles Chart81 Austria Media Control8 Canada Top Singles26 Canada RPM Adult Contemporary4 European Airplay Top 5022 Germany Media Control12 UK Singles97 US Billboard Hot 10026 US Billboard Adult Contemporary2 US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 6, 198525 US Cash Box Jukebox ProgrammerCash Box Top 100 Singles, July 6, 198520 US Gavin Report Top 4017 US Gavin Report Adult Contemporary1 US Radio & Records Contemporary Hit Radio23 US Radio & Records Adult Contemporary2
Cover versions
Mark McGrath, lead singer of the California rock band Sugar Ray, performed a cover of this song for the soundtrack of Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005). The Beach Boys version appears at the beginning, during the flashback of Herbie's racing career and adventures during the opening credits.
Mike Love re-recorded the song for his 2017 solo album Unleash the Love. This version features altered lyrics and a new third verse, and features John Stamos on percussion.
References