Beechwood Park
By: Chris White

Original Performance: The Zombies
Written by: Chris White

 
Lyrics:
Beechwood Park [Version (a)]:

[From February 26, 2002 performance]

Do you remember summer days
Just after summer rain?
When all the air was damp and warm
And the green of country lanes
And the breeze would touch your hair
Kiss your face and make you care
About your world, your summer world
We would count the evening stars
As the day grew dark in Beechwood Park

Do you remember golden days
And golden summer sun?
The sound of laughter in our ears
And the breeze as we would run
And the breeze would touch your hair
Kiss your face and make you care
About your world, your summer world
We would count the evening stars
As the day grew dark in Beechwood Park

All roads in my mind take me back in my mind
And I can't forget you, won't forget you
Never ever forget those days at Beechwood Park

And the breeze would touch your hair
Kiss your face and make you care
About your world, your summer world
And we would count the evening stars
As the day grew dark in Beechwood Park

All roads in my mind take me back in my mind
And I can't forget you, won't forget you
Won't forget those days at Beechwood Park
 
The Song:

The Zombies were a relatively big band from Britain in the mid-60s. Their hits include "She's Not There" and the huge classic "Time of the Season." "Beechwood Park" came from their last, and by most accounts, best album, Odyssey and Oracle. It's not really of a style Beck does too often, as it is a sort of sunny psychedelic classic pop. He is, however, a huge fan of the era and style. (I wrote that long before Modern Guilt came out in 2008, which I think was influenced by the style.)

On August 25 2002, Beck introduced "Beechwood Park" by saying "You probably haven't heard this song. I love this song. This is my summer anthem. I like playing these summer songs."

Beck has never recorded the song, only played it live a number of times.
 
Live:

Played live 17 times:
Earliest known live version: February 24, 2002
Latest known live version: May 2, 2003

February 2002 band version

Beck played a short series of shows in February 2002, right prior to the recording of Sea Change. Beck played "Beechwood Park" at two of the shows. The first was a solo show on February 24.

On February 26 2002, Beck performed the song on the piano, and backed by a band. It is the only version with a full band. His band is sharp, and it's a great song, so it works well. Beck's voice sounds odd though, like he's really struggling to sing it. The rest of the show isn't like that, so maybe it was intentional for some reason.

August 2002 solo piano version

Beck continued to play the song in August 2002, where he did it 8 more times out of 20 shows. It was still played on piano, but alone now. Except once, when Smokey Hormel added acoustic guitar. He also played it once on a webcast/radio performance on August 11 2002.

April 2003 more solo piano versions

After a tour with the Flaming Lips (where he did not play the song), Beck went over to Europe and played some more solo shows. He played "Beechwood Park" seven more times. I believe they were again all done on the piano.