Clash of the Cover Songs: The Beach Boys vs. Vivian Girls

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Girl Don't Tell Me'

The Contestants: The Beach Boys vs. Vivian Girls

In This Corner -- The Beach Boys: Taken from 1965's 'Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!),' 'Girl Don't Tell Me' also served as the B-side to their smash hit single 'Barbara Ann.' Vocal duties are handled by Wilson brother Carl (one of the first tracks he sang for the Beach Boys), and he delivers up a sweetly plaintive account of a young romeo's cruel treatment at the hands of an unrequited summer love. It's rough out there, you know?

The Beach Boys, 'Girl Don't Tell Me'


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In This Corner -- Vivian Girls: These lo-fi Brooklyn-ettes got their start far from the azure shores of California but nonetheless manage to conjure a pretty surf-like, if stripped-down-sounding take on this Beach Boys original. Oh, and their hair is long and that blond lady's shorts do fit her pretty fine, just like in the song! Ahem.

Vivian Girls, 'Girl Don't Tell Me'