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"Had to Phone Ya"
"Had to Phone Ya"
Song by American Spring
from the album Spring
Released	1988
Recorded	1973
Length	2:02
Songwriter(s)	Brian Wilson, Diane Rovell
Producer(s)	Brian Wilson

"Had to Phone Ya"
"Had to Phone Ya"
Single by the Beach Boys
from the album 15 Big Ones
A-side	"It's O.K."
Released	August 30, 1976
Recorded	March 30, 1976
Studio	Brother (Santa Monica)
Length	1:43
Label	Brother/Reprise
Songwriter(s)	Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Diane Rovell
Producer(s)	Brian Wilson
The Beach Boys singles chronology
Audio sample
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"Had to Phone Ya" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1976 album 15 Big Ones. It was written by Brian Wilson, his sister-in-law Diane Rovell, and Mike Love. The song was issued as the B-side to their single "It's O.K.". An earlier recording by the group American Spring was included as a bonus track on a later reissue of the album Spring (1972).

Background

Brian Wilson and Mike Love wrote the song, with Diane Rovell also contributing.^[2] Diane was originally listed as a cowriter, but her name was removed from songwriting credits in subsequent releases.^[3] She is still listed as co-writer in the Broadcast Music, Inc. database.^[4]

Byron Preiss described the song's creation by Brian Wilson while his wife Marilyn was away in Europe.^[5] Brian spoke about the song in 1995:

All I wanted to do was to make a person feel they were free to call at any time-if they felt the world was upside down, they could call and I could correct their world. In other words, I wanted to feel like I can call somebody and tell them, "Look, I’m swamped, I’m scared, I got all these emotions deep inside of me."^[6]

Lindsay Planer of Allmusic noted "Although the tune may sound uncomplicated, it is part of a larger sonic tapestry that combines the interaction of several simultaneous melodies." noting similarities to earlier Brian Wilson compositions "Good Vibrations" and "Love to Say Dada".^[7] Musician Dennis Diken compared it to Wilson's "Trombone Dixie".^[3]

"Had to Phone Ya" was originally recorded in 1973 by American Spring at Junior's Motel in Otho, Iowa.^{[citation needed]} Their version was released as a bonus track for the CD reissue of the album Spring (1972).^{[citation needed]}

Recording

The Beach Boys' version of "Had to Phone Ya" was recorded on March 30, 1976, at Brother Studios in the middle of the primary sessions for 15 Big Ones.^[8] The lead vocals are swapped between the band members.^[9] The instrumental track from this session was made available on the 2013 compilation Made in California.