The Kingston Trio's 1958 recording of "The John B. Sails" was recorded under the title "The Wreck of the John B."[REF] It was the direct influence on the Beach Boys' version.
Working in the key of A-flat major, Jardine updated the chord progression by having the IV (D♭ major) move to its relative minor (B♭ minor) before returning to the tonic (A♭ major), altering a portion of the song's progression from IV - I to IV - ii - I.