Paul McCartney called the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” the “perfect pop song.” But its creator had a less than perfect pop life. If you’re a fan, you know about Brian Wilson’s bouts with drugs and mental illness.
A bona fide genius, but . . .
He was an amazing talent, yes, but a tragic one. His “I Guess I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” has never sounded more bittersweet than upon his recent passing.
Fortunately, Brian’s musical reputation has remained untarnished for over six decades—nine Grammy nominations, two Grammy wins, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction, and countless accolades from fellow artists.
For example, Bruce Springsteen said, “Wilson just took you out of where you were and took you to another place.”
Falsetto nation
When I was a kid, Wilson and the Beach Boys certainly took me to another place, a sunny wonderland populated with ethereal harmonies and cinematic soundscapes.
But this beach movie milieu could turn introspective at times, epitomized by the poignant “In My Room,” an anthem to solitude.
On the lighter side, somewhat to the chagrin of my older brother, I sang along with the Beach Boys’ songs, overjoyed when I thought I nailed Brian’s falsetto.
Here’s smiling at you, kid
The Beach Boys first four years produced music exploding with youthful innocence. But Brian’s “Pet Sounds” pushed pop music into a more sophisticated direction, so much so that the Beatles were both impressed with and fearful of the competition.
Introspection informed almost every note of “Pet Sounds,” especially on the previously mentioned “I Guess I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times,” in which Wilson laments being an outcast.
Sadly, “Smile,” Wilson’s much-heralded “Pet Sounds” follow-up, never saw fruition. Yet much of it, such as the avant-garde “Surf’s Up,” dribbled out onto subsequent Beach Boys albums. As for Brian’s early seventies work, who could forget the agonizing beauty of “’Til I Die”?
‘Til he died
I’m never happy to hear a celebrity has passed on, but I’m rarely touched either. In the case of Brian Wilson’s death, I found myself strangely (or maybe not so strangely) moved. A good vibration? Yes, all summer long.
