My 100 Favorite Charted Pop Songs: Sloop John B.

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It’s dental cleaning day! I’ve taken my Tylenol so I won’t be annoyed by the technician digging into my gums. Before I head up there I’m going to provide you with the next two songs in the alphabetical list of my 100 favorite songs to make the Billboard pop and country charts. Starting today in pop, here’s today’s song. Sloop John B. - The Beach Boys This is an old Bahamian folk song, and it’s been recorded under a few million different names. The Kingston Trio had recorded it in 1959 as “The Wreck of the John B.,” while Johnny Cash did it the same year as “I Want to Go Home.” Even The Beach Boys weren’t the first to name it “Sloop John B.” Their version is the one I go to. Blame the harmonies or the feeling they pumped into the song: “we’ll have fun, fun, fun ‘til daddy takes the John B. away.” If you watch the video you’ll see a lot of influence from the Beatles’ Help! in it. The Beatles gave them the inspiration for the video, and The Beach Boys returned the favor by inspiring Sgt. Pepper with their innovative Pet Sounds album. Sloop John B. Traditional, arranged by Brian Wilson Recorded by The Beach Boys From Pet Sounds, 1966 Peak chart position: #3 Today’s country song: “Smoke Along the Track” The constable had to come and take him away: