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Today's "Great Song of 1977" has been called "The Best Beach Boys Song Brian Wilson never wrote.
Uhh...no.
However, "She Did It" by Eric Carmen sounds a lot like the Beach Boys, and there are reasons for that--which I'll get to shortly.
But first things first: "She Did It" was the first single from "Boats Against the Current," Eric's second solo album (after leaving The Raspberries).
His first album was known for sad songs like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again," so Eric wanted his new material to be more upbeat. "She Did It" was about FINALLY finding love again, and this is where the Beach Boys come in.
Eric was inspired by the Beach Boys 1968 hit, "Do It Again. "First, because it was a happy "California style" song about "getting back together." And second, because musically, Brian, Mike and the Boys repeatedly used a vocal accent that sounded like "did-it." to great effect. (Check the second link below.)
He wanted the song to actually sound like the Beach Boys, so he hired Bruce Johnston to arrange the vocals and add the authentic Beach Boys "harmonies." (Bruce has been a member of the Beach Boys since 1965--and is the composer of "I Write the Songs.")
For some extra star power, Eric's backup band for "She Did It' featured Burton Cummings of the Guess Who on guitar, Andrew Gold, who wrote "Thank You For Being a Friend" on piano, and Jeff Porcaro of Toto on drums.
The song reached #11 in Canada, and in the US, Billboard had it peak at #23, but Cashbox had it at #15.
Beach Boy fans (like me) certainly took notice. It's not the best song Brian Wilson never wrote...but it certainly echoes some of his best.
And if Eric Carmen was looking to score a "Great Song of 1977," He Did It...
with "She Did It!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdX5t00P6sQ
"Do It Again" by the Beach Boys (1968):
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