Time to Get Alone

"Time to Get Alone" is a song written by Brian Wilson for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1969 album 20/20 and produced by Carl Wilson.  It is a waltz in the style of baroque pop. Brian originally wrote and produced the song for the band Redwood, which would later become known as Three Dog Night.

PopMatters calls the song "a dream, right on down the line from Carl’s feathery lead vocal—and the way it contrasts with the up-and-down crunch of the waltz backdrop—to the sumptuously layered arrangement of the chorus to the immaculate production job to the unadorned coda (which is from the extended version)."

Recording 
Brian Wilson originally planned to give the song (along with "Darlin'") to Redwood. The group began recording on October 12, 1967 while in the midst of sessions for the Beach Boys' Wild Honey (1967). Strings and horns overdubs were added on October 14 with drums and percussion on October 15. Danny Hutton recounted:

After one vocal session, Brian exited the booth and called up his astrologer, who told him that he was on a "down cycle". Brian, who had an aversion to Los Angeles smog, fled the studio and returned the next day with an oxygen tank and mask, taking hits from the tank and sprinting in the alley behind the studio.

According to Chuck Negron, due to the commercial failure of Smiley Smile and Brian's waning commitment to his band, "the other Beach Boys wanted Brian's immense songwriting and producing talents used strictly to enhance their own careers". Negron then noted that he would have done the same thing if in the Beach Boys' position.

The song was finished by the Beach Boys around a year later in 1968 on October 2, October 4, and November 21 at Brian Wilson's home studio with the October 4 session being captured on film. Portions of the footage was later used for an "I Can Hear Music" promotional video.

Personnel
Sourced from Craig Slowinski.
 Carl Wilson – vocals
 Al Jardine – vocals
 Brian Wilson – vocals, piano, harpsichord
 Danny Hutton – piano
 Ron Brown – bass
 Ray Pohlman – bass
 Gene Pello – drums, percussion
 Jay Migliori – flute, clarinet

Cover versions

 1993 – Three Dog Night, Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975

References 

Category:1969 songs
Category:Baroque pop songs
Category:The Beach Boys songs
Category:Songs written by Brian Wilson
Category:Song recordings produced by the Beach Boys