The Beach Boys’ “Sloop John B” is often closely associated with Brian Wilson, but it is actually an arrangement of an older Bahamian folk song with no known original writer. The article argues that the band’s version, included on Pet Sounds, made the song feel distinctly theirs while preserving its underlying story of a chaotic, alcohol-fuelled voyage.

The earliest known published version appeared in 1916 through English poet Richard Le Gallienne, although the song itself may be considerably older. Its lyrics concern trouble aboard the boat John B and a desire to return home, giving the seemingly sunny pop recording a darker edge; other notable versions have been recorded by The Kingston Trio, Johnny Cash and The Weavers.