Brian's Most Personal Song

[Denny's Drums]

What do you think is Brian Wilson's single most personal song either with The Beach Boys or as a solo artist?

My vote goes to Til I Die, one of the most deeply personal songs ever. Brian wrote the lyrics as well as the music which makes it all the more poignant and moving considering his state of mind at the time, kind of a musical suicide note. His lyrics like "I'm a cork on the ocean and I'm a leaf on a windy day" are very effective metaphors that reflect a vulnerable, fragile man. Also the chord patterns and keyboard work sound like you're being caught up in the ocean's undertows, just an incredible work of art.

[Lowbacca]

Midnight's Another Day (with lyrical help by S. Bennett)

[oldsurferdude]

Early Brian-In My Room
Middle Brian-Today(side 2)
     "        "   -IJWMFTT
Adult Brian- TID
Later Brian-MAD

[Nicko1234]

Not sure how people can judge the songs that Brian didn't write the lyrics for.

'Til I Die is the obvious choice.

[Reverend Rock]

I think that a lot of Brian's work with lyricists is also very personal, but I can't imagine a more deeply personal lyric than "Til I Die".  I would say that's the most personal song he ever wrote.

[Mr. Wilson]

I agree with above posts and i would add..Its Over Now + Still I dream of it.

[Emdeeh]

"This Whole World" makes a nice bookend to "'Til I Die."

[Jim V.]

"This Whole World" makes a nice bookend to "'Til I Die."

I agree with this. These are 2 sides of seem kind. "This Whole World" is cheerful, hopeful Brian and "'Til I Die" is his more melancholy side.

And I don't think I'd be crazy to say that I would trade entire albums of other people's work for just those 2 songs. Both are immense pieces of work.

[Denny's Drums]

It's amazing when you play Sunflower and Surfs Up one after the other how different they are in overall mood. I think another very personal song by Brian would be Let's Put Our Hearts Together, like Peter Buck said "It's so personal it's almost to hard to listen to."

[The Shift]

I'd throw Breakaway and I'm Bugged At My Old Man on tithe list for consideration! Busy Doing Nothing is a beautiful Slice of Brian also.

[BillA]

The first thing that popped onto my head was "In My Room" ("Til I Die" and "IJWMFTT seem reral personal to) but "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" and "In Blue Hawaii" have always struck me as personal.  Mrs. O'Leary's Cow", with it's "American in Paris" on acid vibe seems hellish but the exit to IBH seems so hopeful.  It is the way I hope Brain feels after what he has gone thorough.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'd throw Breakaway and I'm Bugged At My Old Man on tithe list for consideration! Busy Doing Nothing is a beautiful Slice of Brian also.

*koff* lyrics for "BA" are Murry's.   

[The Shift]

"When I lay down on my bed, I heard voices in my head…"

To my ears, that's pure, honestly spoken Brian at his frankest, or Brian-est…!

Unless it was hereditary… 

[Alan Smith]

'Til I Die, hands down, but can I add The Night was so Young which always strikes me as being an imensely personal song, and another great slice of Brian's life songs.

I'm always taken in by the small details he recounts, as well as his pondering of what the other person is thinking about.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Day In The Life Of A Tree.

Seriously, his whole story as an artist is in there. I love that song. Some people take it as another Brian put-on, but when that fairground organ comes in, i'm in tears every time.

[Ron]

How about "My Diane" ?  It's possibly more personal because it's about something that was literally going on at the time (if you consider it about his wife; or if you think he was more upset about Diane).   

Til I Die is personal but in more of a general or abstract commentary kind of way.  My Diane's like "My Wife's leaving me" 

[filledeplage]

Southern California

or

Lay Down Burden

[Outtasight!]

It's Not Easy Being Me.

[BananaLouie]

Oh Lord

[Cam Mott]

I vote Busy Doin' Nothin'.

[Andrew G. Doe]

How about "My Diane" ?  It's possibly more personal because it's about something that was literally going on at the time (if you consider it about his wife; or if you think he was more upset about Diane).   

Til I Die is personal but in more of a general or abstract commentary kind of way.  My Diane's like "My Wife's leaving me" 

Nope, "My Diane" is about Diane Rovell. I asked her.

[Pearlfisher David]

Love And Mercy...just like in All You Need Is Love the 'you' is 'him' 

[GuyOnTheBeach]

I'd say (providing Brian wrote the Lyrics) that "Brian (Thank You)" could be a VERY personal song/bitch fest about Mike et all

[Shady]

Roller skating child



 

[Ron]

How about "My Diane" ?  It's possibly more personal because it's about something that was literally going on at the time (if you consider it about his wife; or if you think he was more upset about Diane).   

Til I Die is personal but in more of a general or abstract commentary kind of way.  My Diane's like "My Wife's leaving me" 

Nope, "My Diane" is about Diane Rovell. I asked her.

Still applies.  He's obviously upset about it, deeply personal song.