Sloop John B

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Bahamian folk song

title: "Sloop John B" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1966-singles", "1966-songs", "folk-rock-songs", "the-beach-boys-songs", "song-recordings-produced-by-brian-wilson", "capitol-records-singles", "rca-victor-singles", "number-one-singles-in-austria", "number-one-singles-in-germany", "number-one-singles-in-norway", "number-one-singles-in-new-zealand", "number-one-singles-in-sweden", "number-one-singles-in-switzerland", "number-one-singles-in-south-africa", "chamber-pop-songs", "song-recordings-with-wall-of-sound-arrangements", "tom-fogerty-songs", "roger-whittaker-songs", "jerry-jeff-walker-songs", "dick-dale-songs", "the-ventures-songs", "relient-k-songs", "barry-mcguire-songs", "gary-lewis-&-the-playboys-songs", "jerry-butler-songs", "simple-minds-songs", "association-football-songs-and-chants", "the-kingston-trio-songs", "the-brothers-four-songs", "me-first-and-the-gimme-gimmes-songs", "songs-about-boats", "sea-shanties", "year-of-song-unknown", "songs-with-unknown-songwriters", "rpm-top-singles-number-one-singles", "bahamian-songs", "folk-songs"] description: "Bahamian folk song" topic_path: "arts/music" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop_John_B" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Bahamian folk song ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical composition"]

FieldValue
titleThe John B. Sails
typeTraditional song
other_name
imageNassau Harbor After 1877.jpg
captionNassau Harbor after 1877, Albert Bierstadt, de Young Museum, San Francisco
published1916
languageEnglish
styleFolk
::

| title = The John B. Sails | type = Traditional song | other_name = | image = Nassau Harbor After 1877.jpg | caption = Nassau Harbor after 1877, Albert Bierstadt, de Young Museum, San Francisco | published = 1916 | language = English | style = Folk "Sloop John B" (Roud 15634, originally published as "The John B. Sails") is a Bahamian folk song from Nassau. A transcription was published in 1916 by Richard Le Gallienne, and Carl Sandburg included a version in his The American Songbag in 1927. There have been many recordings of the song since the early 1950s, with variant titles including "I Want to Go Home" and "Wreck of the John B".

In 1966, American rock band the Beach Boys recorded a folk rock adaptation that was produced and arranged by Brian Wilson and released as the second single from their album Pet Sounds. The record peaked at number three in the U.S., number two in the UK, and topped the charts in several other countries. It was innovative for containing an elaborate a cappella vocal section not found in other pop music of the era, and it remains one of the group's biggest hits.

In 2011, the Beach Boys' version of "Sloop John B" was ranked number 276 on *Rolling Stone*s list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Earliest publications

"The John B. Sails" was transcribed by Richard Le Gallienne, with five verses and the chorus published in his article "Coral Islands and Mangrove-Trees" in the December 1916 issue of Harper’s Monthly Magazine. Gallienne published the first two verses and chorus in his 1917 novel Pieces of Eight. The lyrics describe a disastrous voyage on a sloop, with the vessel plagued by drunkenness and arrests and a pig eating the narrator's food.

Carl Sandburg included the first three verses and chorus of "The John B. Sails" in his 1927 collection The American Songbag. He states that he collected it from John T. McCutcheon, a political cartoonist from Chicago. McCutcheon told him: |pos=right |filename=JohnBSails - Prickly Bear.ogg |title="The John B. Sails" (3:25) |description= Banjo/vocal performance of the song. }}

{{Anchor|The Beach Boys}} The Beach Boys version

| name = Sloop John B | cover = Sloop John B cover.jpg | caption = U.S. picture sleeve | alt = | type = single | artist = the Beach Boys | album = Pet Sounds | B-side = You're So Good to Me | released = March 21, 1966 | recorded = | studio = United Western, Hollywood | venue = | genre = *Folk rock

Arrangement

The Kingston Trio's 1958 recording of "The John B. Sails" was recorded under the title "The Wreck of the John B." It was the direct influence on the Beach Boys' version. The Beach Boys' Al Jardine was a keen folk music fan, and he suggested to Brian Wilson that the Beach Boys should record the song. As Jardine explains:

Jardine updated the chord progression by having the subdominant (D♭ major) move to its relative minor (B♭ minor) before returning to the tonic (A♭ major), thus altering a portion of the song's progression from IV — I to IV — ii — I. This device is heard immediately after the lyric "into a fight" and "leave me alone".

Wilson elected to change some lyrics: "this is the worst trip since I've been born" to "this is the worst trip I've ever been on", "I feel so break up" to "I feel so broke up", and "broke up the people's trunk" to "broke in the captain's trunk". The first lyric change has been suggested by some to be a subtle nod to the 1960s psychedelia subculture.

Recording

The instrumental section of the song was recorded on July 12, 1965, at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California, the session being engineered by Chuck Britz and produced by Brian Wilson. The master take of the instrumental backing took fourteen takes to achieve. Wilson's arrangement blended rock and marching band instrumentation with the use of flutes, glockenspiel, bass saxophone, bass, guitar, and drums.

The vocal tracks were recorded over two sessions. The first was recorded on December 22, 1965, at Western Recorders, produced by Wilson. The second, on December 29, added a new lead vocal and Billy Strange's 12-string electric guitar part. Jardine explained that Wilson "lined us up one at a time to try out for the lead vocal. I had naturally assumed I would sing the lead, since I had brought in the arrangement. It was like interviewing for a job. Pretty funny. He didn't like any of us. My vocal had a much more mellow approach because I was bringing it from the folk idiom. For the radio, we needed a more rock approach. Wilson and Mike [Love] ended up singing it." On the final recording, Brian Wilson sang the first and third verses and Mike Love sang the second.

Kent Hartman, in his book The Wrecking Crew, described Billy Strange's contribution to the song. Brian Wilson called Strange into the studio one Sunday, played him the rough recording, and told him he needed an electric twelve-string guitar solo in the middle of the track. When Strange replied that he did not own a twelve string, Wilson responded by calling Glenn Wallichs, the head of Capitol Records and owner of Wallichs Music City. A Fender Electric XII and Twin Reverb amplifier were quickly delivered (despite the shop they were ordered from being closed on Sundays), and Strange recorded the guitar part in one take. Wilson then gave Strange $2,000 to cover the cost of the equipment.

Single release

A music video set to "Sloop John B" was filmed for the UK's Top of the Pops, directed by newly employed band publicist Derek Taylor. It was filmed at Brian's Laurel Way home with Dennis Wilson acting as cameraman.

The single, backed with the song "You're So Good to Me", was released on March 21, 1966 in the US and on April 15, 1966 in the UK. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on April 2, and peaked at on May 7, remaining on the chart, in total, for 11 weeks. It charted highly throughout the world, remaining as one of the Beach Boys' most popular and memorable hits. It was in Germany, Austria, and Norway—all for five weeks each—as well as Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Africa, and New Zealand. It placed in the UK, Ireland (where it was the group's highest charting single at the time), Canada, and in Record World. It was the fastest Beach Boys seller to date, moving more than half a million copies in less than two weeks after release. It had a three-week stay at number 1 in the Netherlands, making it the "Hit of the Year".

Cash Box described the single as a "topflight adaptation" that treats "the folk oldie in a rhythmic, effectively-building warm-hearted rousing style." Record World said that "The Beach Boys have taken a tune from the folk books and given it an intriguing rock backing."

Other releases

In 1968, the recording's instrumental was released on Stack-O-Tracks. Along with sessions highlights, the box set The Pet Sounds Sessions includes two alternate takes, one with Carl Wilson singing lead on the first verse, and one with Brian singing all parts.

In 2012, Al Jardine released his own version as a bonus track on the reissue of his solo album A Postcard from California.

In 2011, the song was sung by Fisherman's Friends at Cambridge Folk Festival. and released on Suck'em and Sea. It was featured in the compilation album Cambridge Folk Festival 2011 In 2016, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and Brian Wilson’s touring band performed “Sloop John B” live at Capitol Studios.

In 2021, another UK based group, Isle 'Ave A Shanty sang the song at the 2021 Harwich Sea Shanty Festival and included the song on their 2022 debut album Swinging the Lamp.

Personnel

Per band archivist Craig Slowinski.

The Beach Boys

Additional musicians and production staff

Certifications

Sylvie Vartan version (in French)

| name = Mister John B | type = single | image = | alt = | language = French | artist = Sylvie Vartan | album = | B-side = La chanson | released = July 1966 | recorded = Summer 1966 | genre = Pop | length = 2:45 | label = RCA Victor | writer = Traditional, Brian Wilson, Giles Thibaut, Georges Aber, Eddie Vartan | producer = | prev_title = ll y a 2 filles en moi | prev_year = 1966 | next_title = Ballade pour un sourire | next_year = 1966

In 1966, the song was adapted into French by Giles Thibaut, Georges Aber, and Eddie Vartan as "Mister John B" and performed by Vartan's sister Sylvie and released as a single in July 1966 as a non-album single, based on the Beach Boys version from earlier that year. The song had on-and-off chart success from mid-to-late 1966 on the French Belgian charts, peaking at Number 35 on the French Belgian charts on November 19, 1966. Vartan would go on to re-record the song for her 2013 album "Sylvie In Nashville" but failed to chart unlike the former version.

Charts

::data[format=table] | Chart (1966) | Peak position | |---|---| | Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 35 | ::

List of recordings

All versions titled "Sloop John B", except where noted.

Chart history

Weekly singles charts ::data[format=table title="Beach Boys version"] | Charts (1966) | Peak position | |---|---| | Australian Singles Chart | 17 | | Canada RPM Singles Chart | 2 | | Finland (Suomen Virallinen) | 39 | | | | | New Zealand (Listener) | 1 | | South Africa (Springbok) | 1 | | Sweden | 1 | | UK Singles Chart | 2 | | U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 5 | ::

Year-end charts ::data[format=table title="Beach Boys version"]

Chart (1966)Rank
UK21
U.S. Billboard Hot 10061
U.S. Cash Box53
::

References

References

  1. (2015). "The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World". ABC-CLIO.
  2. (April 7, 2011). "Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time".
  3. Richard Le Gallienne. (December 1916). "Coral Islands and Mangrove-Trees". Harper's Monthly Magazine.
  4. Le Gallienne, ''Pieces of Eight'', p. 30
  5. Unterberger, Richie. "Great Moments in Folk Rock: Lists of Aunthor Favorites". www.richieunterberger.com.
  6. (September 1968). "Villains and Heroes: In Defense of the Beach Boys". [[Jazz & Pop]].
  7. (May 9, 2016). "'Sloop John B' Has Seen a Sea Change Throughout the Years".
  8. Breihan, Tom. (November 15, 2022). "The Number Ones: Twenty Chart-Topping Hits That Reveal the History of Pop Music". [[Hachette Book Group]].
  9. (16 January 2021). "Before TikTok Inspired a Rising Tide for Sea Shanties, the Beach Boys Charted One of Their Own".
  10. "Show 18 - Blowin' in the Wind: Pop discovers folk music. [Part 1]".
  11. ''The Pet Sounds Sessions'': "The Making Of ''Pet Sounds''" booklet, pg. 25-26
  12. Matthew, Jacobs. (April 16, 2013). "LSD's 70th Anniversary: 10 Rock Lyrics From The 1960s That Pay Homage To Acid". Huffington Post.
  13. (April 24, 2015). "The Beach Boys' 50 Greatest Songs". [[Mojo magazine.
  14. Granata, Charles L.. (2003). ["Wouldn't it Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds"]({{google books). Chicago Review Press.
  15. ''The Pet Sounds Sessions'': "The Making Of ''Pet Sounds''" booklet, pg. 26
  16. (2012). "The Wrecking Crew: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best Kept Secret". Thomas Dunne.
  17. Badman, Keith. (2004). "The Beach Boys: The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio". Backbeat Books.
  18. Murrels, Joseph. (1978). "The Book of Golden Disks". Barrie & Jenkins.
  19. "The Beach Boys – Sloop John B". [[Single Top 100]].
  20. (March 26, 1966). "CashBox Record Reviews".
  21. (March 26, 1966). "Single Picks of the Week".
  22. "Fisherman's Friends".
  23. "Sloop John B".
  24. "Cambridge Folk Festival".
  25. (10 June 2016). "Brian Wilson & Al Jardine - Sloop John B (Official Video)".
  26. Monger, Garry. (2022). "The Port of Wisbech". The Fens.
  27. "Swinging the Lamp".
  28. "Pet Sounds LP". Endless Summer Quarterly.
  29. "EP 60 – Site officiel de Sylvie Vartan".
  30. "Sylvie Vartan - Mister John B. - ultratop.be".
  31. "Albums 2010 – Site officiel de Sylvie Vartan".
  32. "Sylvie Vartan - Mr John B. [2013] - ultratop.be".
  33. Martin, Michel. (May 9, 2012). "Major US Folk Music Archive Makes Online Debut". NPR.
  34. "Original versions of (The Wreck of the) John B by the Weavers | SecondHandSongs".
  35. "Lonnie Donegan". The Official Charts Company.
  36. "Jimmie Rodgers".
  37. "CHUM Hit Parade - September 12, 1960".
  38. "RPM Magazine - May 16, 1966 - page 5".
  39. (1966). "Discogs Raymond Harper / The Vibrators (2) With Bobby Aitken's Carib Beats – Amour / John B".
  40. (1966). "Discogs The Vibrators (2) / Raymond Harper & The Carib Beats – Sloop John B / Amour".
  41. "History of the Original Boy Band".
  42. "Suck'em and Sea".
  43. "Isle 'Ave a Shanty".
  44. "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 16, 1966".
  45. Nyman, Jake. (2005). "Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja". Tammi.
  46. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989".
  47. (4 April 2014). "The Official Charts Company - God Only Knows by The Beach Boys Search". The Official Charts Company.
  48. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, May 14, 1966".
  49. [http://www.sixtiescity.net/charts/66chart.htm#top100 The 100 Best-Selling Singles of 1966]
  50. [http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1966.htm Musicoutfitters.com]
  51. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 24, 1966".

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1966-singles1966-songsfolk-rock-songsthe-beach-boys-songssong-recordings-produced-by-brian-wilsoncapitol-records-singlesrca-victor-singlesnumber-one-singles-in-austrianumber-one-singles-in-germanynumber-one-singles-in-norwaynumber-one-singles-in-new-zealandnumber-one-singles-in-swedennumber-one-singles-in-switzerlandnumber-one-singles-in-south-africachamber-pop-songssong-recordings-with-wall-of-sound-arrangementstom-fogerty-songsroger-whittaker-songsjerry-jeff-walker-songsdick-dale-songsthe-ventures-songsrelient-k-songsbarry-mcguire-songsgary-lewis-&-the-playboys-songsjerry-butler-songssimple-minds-songsassociation-football-songs-and-chantsthe-kingston-trio-songsthe-brothers-four-songsme-first-and-the-gimme-gimmes-songssongs-about-boatssea-shantiesyear-of-song-unknownsongs-with-unknown-songwritersrpm-top-singles-number-one-singlesbahamian-songsfolk-songs