Marcella (song)


"Marcella" is a song written by Brian Wilson, Tandyn Almer and Jack Rieley for the American rock band The Beach Boys about a massage therapist. It was released on their 1972 album Carl and the Passions – "So Tough". It is the last song to feature Bruce Johnston during his original tenure in the band.

Composition

The song branched from an earlier track entitled "I Just Got My Pay" and an even earlier outtake recording called "All Dressed Up for School" from 1965. These early versions appear on the box set and the 2001 remastered edition of Little Deuce Coupe/All Summer Long, respectively.
According to Brian Wilson, "It represents one of the first times we tried to emulate The Rolling Stones. In my mind, it was dedicated to the Stones, but I never told them that. It's one of the rockingest songs I ever wrote." According to Jack Rieley, the tune was named for a woman who was working as Wilson's masseuse at the time. He explains:
The vocal arrangement is characteristic for a Brian Wilson song, featuring various syncopated lines following each other, reminiscent of a post-processed tape delay effect. Wilson later said that one of the lead guitar parts was inspired by George Harrison's playing.

Recording

"Marcella" was recorded on February 17, 1972 during the same session for "Out in the Country" and "Body Talk" at Brian Wilson's home studio.

Personnel

Partial credits from Craig Slowinski.
;The Beach Boys
;Additional musicians