A number of months ago I wrote a post about, what I consider, the greatest love song ever written. The song I’m speaking about is “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. I’m not going to restate my reasons for it but, instead, I want to talk a little bit about Brian Wilson, the composer of the song.
I think about this kind of stuff all the time, yeah, pretty weird, and I’ve come to the conclusion that Brian Wilson is the single greatest pop music composer ever. Strong statement, except for people that care about normal things, but it’s true. This guys life story is amazing on it’s own. Add to it that he just happened to write, record and produce many of the world’s great pop songs and the story is even more incredible. Add even more to that, the fact that he can’t write music and is deaf in one ear and it seems we may have some sort of savant here.
Here’s a guy that was the victim of child abuse, both physical and mental, so much so that there are stories that allude to the idea that the loss of hearing in one ear was due to the abuse of his father. He’s also been the victim of a well-documented mental breakdown while he was right at the top of his game, so to speak. Yet, even with all the troubles, the bottom line was, and is, he happened to compose these amazing songs. And the songs are what we really should be talking about.
I mentioned that I consider “God Only Knows” the greatest love song ever, there are, however, so many more. Of course there are the basic surf tunes that made “The Beach Boys” famous. We all remember those songs and we also remember the other hits they had. The problem I have with the non-surf hits is that nobody seems to realize what amazing pieces of work they not only were but also still are.
The song I’ve already spoken of, “God Only Knows” is a great example of what I’m trying to say. If we didn’t know this was a Beach Boy song I really believe it would make the top ten of most peoples lists when it comes to naming their favorite songs. I don’t know anyone in my age group that doesn’t think highly of it.
Another song written by Brian Wilson that just amazes me is “Don’t Worry Baby”. I consider this tune to be the perfect pop song. It’s got it all, teenage angst, girls and cars. Add to that the most basic beat you’ll ever find throughout the entire song and harmonies that are just perfect and what more could one want? Two verses separated by the most basic of bridges and followed by the last verse that completes the story. The bridge itself is so simple yet I can’t imagine trying to put a guitar solo or drum roll or anything but the way it is on the record into it. It’s really quite amazing. If you listen to it closely you’ll notice that the drum beat never changes throughout the whole song. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard an entire song be so complex with it’s harmonies and so simple with it’s beat. Truly, the mark of a genius.
The thing about Brian Wilson that I just find astounding was that he couldn’t write music. He had these songs in his head, knew exactly what he wanted to hear on the record and didn’t quit until he heard, on record, what he was hearing in his head. The songs “Good Vibrations” and “California Girls” are another example of this boy genius just making sure it wouldn’t be released until it was just right. Just listen to the songs and if you’re really paying attention you’ll see what I mean. The stories are legendary about how many takes and how many days were spent in the studio until Brian thought it was just right.
When you listen to one of the songs mentioned above or even any other song he’s written, keep in mind that he was deaf in one ear. Those harmonies were written and produced by someone who couldn’t even hear it like he wanted you and I to. This kind of stuff just gives me goose bumps. There’s something truly amazing going on in this guys head and I think it’s time that not just his legions of fans realize it but also those who just write the songs off as being done by those surf music guys. Just listen and forget the band and any preconceived notions you have about them. You’re gonna be amazed.
3 comments:
i love the beach boys! i think i've seen them at least 10 times. at pine knob. i knew he was abused, and the break down, but not that he was deaf in one ear. i get what you mean about it being a great love song but now when i hear all i can think about is big love.
Love that song.Always have.
My husband and I hold hands and he sings it to me every week when we watch Big Love.
The creative process is an amazing thing. We see that some of the greatest art comes from those who may be a little "nuts," and I say that with the utmost respect to those who are. I think there are people who "feel" so much, that it just affects their mental/ emotional stability, some more than others. But those same people who "feel" so strongly (when I say "feel" I mean, they just experience everything around them at a greater level than other people might) also hold within themselves a key to something great, something which comes from deep within.
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