SONNY & CHER - THE BEAT GOES ON

Released: January 1967

Charted:  UK: #29   US: #6 

"The Beat Goes On" is a song written by Sonny Bono and performed by Sonny & Cher. Released as a single in 1967 and featured on their album "In Case You're in Love," it entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 14, 1967, eventually peaking at number six. The track is notable for its use of the renowned Los Angeles session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew," who provided the backing music. 

"The Beat Goes On" is notable for its lyrics that reference the cultural and historical events of its time. Released in 1967, the song's lyrics encapsulate the zeitgeist of the era with mentions of miniskirts, the Vietnam War, and electric baseball scores. These references served to reflect the social changes and technological advancements occurring during the 1960s.

Carol Kaye, a prominent Los Angeles studio musician, played bass on this track. Known for her extensive work with artists like Phil Spector and Brian Wilson, Kaye transitioned from guitar to bass and contributed significantly to the song. Originally featuring a sparse bass part, Kaye transformed it into a key component of the track's instrumentation. Reflecting on her role, Kaye noted that her bass line elevated the song from "nothing" to a hit record, emphasizing the importance of bass lines in music production. 

"The Beat Goes On" was sung at Sonny Bono's funeral, and the song's title was engraved on his tombstone. It was a fitting tribute to the singer.