Songs You Might Not Know Were Covers Vol. 9: Barbara Ann (#2)

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Sit down, this one may shock you. Nearing the top of this round of songs that are big hits but covers, I saved the two biggest surprises for last. Let’s get started with this classic. #2: Barbara Ann I did a countdown of bands that had more than one lead vocalist, and one of those bands was The Who. If you wonder why Keith Moon didn’t sing, all you have to do is listen to when he did sing. In a word: OUCH. Keith did put out a solo album (Two Sides of the Moon, with the back of the album cover featuring Moon mooning ) and included his “version” of “Barbara Ann.” C’mon, “Barbara Ann” is a Beach Boys song. Always has been, always will be!! I mean, The Beach Boys Party! in 1965 gave us that classic single. “Barbara Ann” is summer and surfing and Beach Boys!!! Well……no. “Barbara Ann” has a last name: Fassert. Her brother, Fred, wrote this song, using his sister’s name as the object of affection. (And no, Fred’s from New York, not West Virginia. ) Fred was a member of a band called the Regents, and in 1961 — or four years before The Beach Boys surfed out to her — they had a top 15 hit with the song. Surf’s up! Barbara Ann Written by Fred Fassert Originally recorded by the Regents, 1961 Famously covered by The Beach Boys, 1965 The Regents’ original: