Before he was a Rhinestone Cowboy, and he before he teamed with Jimmy Webb to create a string of enduring, timeless international hits, each well deserving of their ubiquitous status, Glen Campbell was the recipient of a gift from another cherished songwriter and producer. That notable collaborator was none other than Beach Boy Brian Wilson.

In 1964, after suffering a nervous breakdown on a flight on the eve of a tour, Brian Wilson decided he could no longer participate in live performances with the Beach Boys. He would stay behind and concentrate on songwriting and production. Drafted temporarily in his place was a young LA session musician named Glen Campbell. (Bruce Johnston would ultimately serve as the long term replacement.)

The story goes that “Guess I’m Dumb” was Wilson’s thank you gift to Campbell for his time of service. The song, co-written with Russ Titelman, was originally tracked and intended for the Beach Boy’s 1965 album Today! but was ultimately discarded.

In Campbell’s hands, while it may not have made a significant dent in the charts, “Guess I’m Dumb” is a long-lost classic. We can hear the early traces of Brian’s immense talent for arrangement and production that would come into full bloom just a year later on Pet Sounds. And of course Glen’s vocal performance is absolutely sublime.

Glen Campbell, “Guess I’m Dumb” (1965)

The background vocals on “Guess I’m Dumb” were provided by The Honeys, a girl group that Brian personally nurtured, featuring his wife Marilyn, her sister Diane Rovell and their cousin Ginger Blake. As a bonus track, take a listen to the Honeys “He’s A Doll”.

The Honeys, “He’s A Doll” (1964)

Find both tracks on Pet Projects: The Brian Wilson Productions