“Help Me, Rhonda” Turns 56

“Help Me, Rhonda” is a song written by Brian Wilson with additional lyrics by Mike Love for The Beach Boys, of which both were members. The song was first released as “Help Me, Ronda” in March 1965 on the album The Beach Boys Today!. A second recording with a different arrangement was issued as a single under the spelling “Help Me, Rhonda”. The single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their second chart-topping single following “I Get Around” in 1964. This version was included on the album Summer Days. Both versions feature rhythm guitarist Al Jardine on lead vocals.

The lyrics of “Help Me, Rhonda” tell a story of a man who was attracted to a woman who then found another man; to aid the healing process, he begs a woman named Rhonda to help him get over her. According to songwriter Brian Wilson, “Rhonda” was not based on a real person.

Wilson later said of the song, “I would’ve made a better rhythm — it wasn’t in the pocket.”

During the early 1970s, The Beach Boys began to change the lead vocalist on the song as both Carl and Dennis Wilson performed the lead during this time. However this experiment was brief as Al Jardine once again permanently took over lead vocals in 1974 until he left the group in 1998, when briefly Phil Bardowell and then John Cowsill took over the lead. However, for the band’s 50th Anniversary tour, Jardine once again took the lead.

Listen to the classic tune here.

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