Dave Davies vs. Mike Love: Who's the better songwriter?

And I'm sure it was then, The Fists started flying ! Justifiably so, if you were playing second fiddle, literally, to a Ray Davies, back then.

 

There is no question Dave Davies is the better songwriter

 

I don't get it.

Dave Davies is a great dude with awesome Rhythm and Blues roots and someone who can pound out good rock and roll inspired tunes, and yet some people here thing Mike Love is better.

To me, at least, Mike Love is whiter than Pat Boone when it comes to music, and it's extremely hard to get any worse than Pat Boone in that department.

 

I don't get that you don't get how great the Beach Boys were.

(The Kinks were really great too.)

 

Yes, and Ray used to introduce Dave onstage as "Mr Dave 'Death of a Clown' Davies" way into the 1980s, which riled Dave somewhat. Dave's contributions to Kinks songs, apart from his guitar playing and singing, apparently indicates more of a co-write status on several well-known tracks, but he didn't push for it at the time.

 

you are correct and i was remiss....what i meant to say is that i just don't like them very much.....of course they were important etc....

 

Actually Mike's love of black Doo Wop bass singing and Chuck Berry's lyrical style was an intregal part of the Beach Boys sound.

 

This I can agree with.

 

I also agree. You may not like Mike Love's attitude (I sure don't). But you don't continue on as he has without having had a lasting profound impact. This guy is the real thing, jerkness and all.

 

You would like this.

Uncut Interview with Mike Love on Inside Entertainment with Barry Blake


Published on Jul 16, 2012
Recently discovered Uncut Interview with Mike Love of the Beach Boys from the early to mid 90's. Barry Roskin Blake of Inside Entertainment talks with Mike about some topics Mike had not addressed before. Rare interview.

 

"How to Become and STAY a Rockstar" By Mike (Rocking the Silver Fox Mullet) Love

 

Really?

 

How many hats, would you guess he has ?


Top 22 Pictures of Mike Love Looking Like a Douche

By The Staff | 3 July 2008

 

While I favored Ray over Brian, I voted for Mike here. For me, it was the easier of the two polls: Mike co-wrote a whole series of great songs as well as self-penned others that I enjoy. Aside from a handful of tunes like "Death of a Clown" and "Living on a Thin Line," I can't say the same about Dave's contributions to the Kinks. Sure, he was an important part of the band, but not really in the songwriting department.

 

I have never seen anybody hate his baldess more while doing so little to improve the situation than Mike Love. Hair plugs, toupee, spray on hair. Come on -- try anything but another sombrero, fez or turbin

 

Is it as good as this other unreleased gem?:

 

In case you forgot here is the question I was replying to again;

Name a single song that he wrote by himself that comes even close to anything that Dave has self-penned.

I'd say that Big Sur is more than comfortably close to the bulk of Dave's songs. Not Death of A Clown but then I never said that to begin with. Which Dave didn't self penn anyway. Funny that many of the people that are voting Dave are using the song he wrote with Ray as the main crux of their arguement.

 

First Love is much better than Country Love. Even Country Love is better than Looking Back With Love.

 

I'm certain if these had been released, he'd be undoubtedly winning this poll

 

I haven't heard them but I doubt it would make any differance if they were very good. These polls are strictly popularity contests and M.L. is very unpopular because he sued to get money owed him for co-writing many hit songs including Good Vibrations which many consider the greatest pop rock record. Obviously the voters consider the virtually unknown Death Of A Clown a superier co-write.

 

hmmmmm- i think the eyes in that pick kinda put the lie to ol' mike's 'was never into the drug thing at all' stance.

cheers,
rob

 

You're cracking me up!

 

There is actually a plethora of unreleased Mike Love albums which would certainly turn the tide in his favor. Just to name a few:

Disco Love (unreleased disco album from the late 70's)
Puppy Love (his tribute to canines)
Tough Love (his foray into hip-hop)
Brotherly Love (tribute to the Wilson brothers)
Self Love (his tribute to himself and his immeasurable talent and contributions to the music world)

 

I always liked Death of A Clown but Susannah's Still Alive is even better. And Dave wrote it solo.



I had the great pleasure of chatting to him and his wife about those songs and others over a nice long, lesuirely roast beef dinner and a couple of bottles of red wine two years ago at the seaside. Lovely guy.
Never met Mike Love.

 

An interesting discography for Mike Love..

http://www.beachboys-germany.com/64.html

DISCO CELEBRATION - CELEBRATION (EP) on ADC# LS-4052
This is a rare private disco EP out Hollywood California produced by Mike Love, Ron Altbach, Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
Tracks: Disco Celebration, You can count on love, California girls, Party girl, First Love

http://www.popsike.com/DISCO-CELEBRATION-CELEBRATION-RARE-MIKE-LOVE-DISCO/130562484574.html


Another son (Beach Boys)
Tracks: Disco Celebration, You can count on love, California girls, Party girl, First Love