"Cuckoo Clock" 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. The song was written about the myna bird of Brian's father Murry Wilson.Carlin, Peter Ames: "Catch a Wave", page 35. Rodale Inc., 2006.
Composition "Cuckoo Clock" relates the story of a teenage couple trying to spend time together. When things start to get romantic, however, they are interrupted by a cuckoo clock. In the final verse, the teenage boy dismantles the clock so they will not be bothered again.Lambert, Philip: Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, page 46-47. Continuum Publishing, 2007. The song is in basic verse-chorus-bridge form. The organ solo in the bridge points the way towards future Beach Boys songs.Doe, Andrew G. & Tobler, John: "Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys: The Complete Guide to their Music", page 10. Omnibus Press, 2004.
Recording "Cuckoo Clock" was recorded on September 6, 1962, at the last Surfin' Safari session.Doe, Andrew G.: "gigs6162." Bellagio 10452. Retrieved on 2012-02-10. 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 2012-02-10.
Personnel Mike Love – vocals David Marks – guitar Brian Wilson – bass guitar, organ, lead vocal Carl Wilson – guitar, vocals Dennis Wilson – drums, vocals
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