Skip to content
News

Festive Brian Wilson Gifts Fans the Beach Boys’ Original ‘Little Saint Nick’

111223-beach-boys.png

Brian Wilson posted a holiday gift on his blog today — an exclusive stream of “Little Saint Nick” in its original form. Though Wilson used the song’s backing track as “the foundation” for “Drive In,” a cut from 1964’s All Summer Long, this particular version (recorded in the fall of 1963) has only appeared previously as a bonus track on the now out-of-print CD re-issue of The Beach Boys Christmas Album. Below, you can check out an old clip of Wilson and the Beach Boys performing the song, as it could be heard on that major 1964 Christmas release, for a live television audience on Shindig.

Wilson also attached a festive note that reads, “Happy Holidays to all my fans. The Boys and I are looking forward to a great 50th celebration with you all next year!” He’s referring, of course, to the group’s 50th anniversary reunion, which will involve a new studio album and a 50-date international tour starting in April.

The Beach Boys’ SMiLE Sessions is also SPIN’s No. 1 reissue of 2011.