Thread for various insignificant questions that don't deserve their own thread!

[Jukka]

Is it me or does the Sail Plane Song:

1) have one of Brian's best vocals?
2) one of the best offerings that doesn't have anything to do with Mike Love?
3) cry Smiley/Smile?

No (it's not just you).

[Lowbacca]

Is it "two waves and I" or "to waves and I" ?

It's "Two ways have I/Both travelled by", as per the Frost poem it was (originally and loosely) based on:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Hmm.. didn't know it was based on a poem, but: there's no literal mention of "two ways" in that poem (only "two roads").
And even if there was - it'd be entirely possible that they 'cleverly' changed that into "waves" for the lyrics of a BBs song.

I still think it's "two waves".

"Ways".

Think of the definitions as paths to be followed, choices to be made.

Yeah sure. And waves as a metaphor for paths. Why not?  Seriously, I'm not trying to troll here - I think "waves" is entirely plausible.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Is it "two waves and I" or "to waves and I" ?

It's "Two ways have I/Both travelled by", as per the Frost poem it was (originally and loosely) based on:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Hmm.. didn't know it was based on a poem, but: there's no literal mention of "two ways" in that poem (only "two roads").
And even if there was - it'd be entirely possible that they 'cleverly' changed that into "waves" for the lyrics of a BBs song.

I still think it's "two waves".

"Ways".

Think of the definitions as paths to be followed, choices to be made.

Yeah sure. And waves as a metaphor for paths. Why not?  Seriously, I'm not trying to troll here - I think "waves" is entirely plausible.

It is entirely plausible. It's also entirely wrong. 

[Lowbacca]

Is it "two waves and I" or "to waves and I" ?

It's "Two ways have I/Both travelled by", as per the Frost poem it was (originally and loosely) based on:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Hmm.. didn't know it was based on a poem, but: there's no literal mention of "two ways" in that poem (only "two roads").
And even if there was - it'd be entirely possible that they 'cleverly' changed that into "waves" for the lyrics of a BBs song.

I still think it's "two waves".

"Ways".

Think of the definitions as paths to be followed, choices to be made.

Yeah sure. And waves as a metaphor for paths. Why not?  Seriously, I'm not trying to troll here - I think "waves" is entirely plausible.

It is entirely plausible. It's also entirely wrong. 

I demand irrefutable evidence that it is "ways", not "waves" - i.e. officially released lyrics. 

[runnersdialzero]

And I demand officially released lyrics for the cover version of "Hey, Hey, You Son Of A Bitch!" by the Beach Boys.

[Sound of Free]

I've seen it about a million times each way: Is he "Paul Mertens" or "Paul Von Mertens"?

[halblaineisgood]

Brian was a safe driver. Be my Baby rocked his world, so he pulled to the side of the road.

The same thing happened with Strawberry Fields.

When he can no longer safely operate an auto, he shuts it down.

Over the years, have any other songs caused him to do this?

[Lowbacca]

I've seen it about a million times each way: Is he "Paul Mertens" or "Paul Von Mertens"?

Van Mertens. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Is it "two waves and I" or "to waves and I" ?

It's "Two ways have I/Both travelled by", as per the Frost poem it was (originally and loosely) based on:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Hmm.. didn't know it was based on a poem, but: there's no literal mention of "two ways" in that poem (only "two roads").
And even if there was - it'd be entirely possible that they 'cleverly' changed that into "waves" for the lyrics of a BBs song.

I still think it's "two waves".

"Ways".

Think of the definitions as paths to be followed, choices to be made.

Yeah sure. And waves as a metaphor for paths. Why not?   Seriously, I'm not trying to troll here - I think "waves" is entirely plausible.

It is entirely plausible. It's also entirely wrong.  

I demand irrefutable evidence that it is "ways", not "waves" - i.e. officially released lyrics.  

Interesting point: on p.119 of the Bryon Preiss book, the lyrics according to the publishers - Wilojarston - are printed and it is indeed "waves"... but they also say "Wisdom morning as the sun" which, aside from being nonsensical, is clearly wrong as what is sung is "Wisdom warming as the sun". Thus, "waves" may also be a minor mondegreen.

[shelter]

I've seen it about a million times each way: Is he "Paul Mertens" or "Paul Von Mertens"?

On the MySpace-page of Brian's band he's named as Paul "Von" Mertens, so I guess the "Von" is just some kind of inside joke.

[Justin]

Just curious: why is so little known about Bruce's family?  I've never seen any pics or videos of him and his wife or him mentioning her or his kids...is he just a very, very private man or is there some estrangement of some sort that I'm unaware of (and will gladly respect)? 

[shelter]

Just curious: why is so little known about Bruce's family?  I've never seen any pics or videos of him and his wife or him mentioning her or his kids...is he just a very, very private man or is there some estrangement of some sort that I'm unaware of (and will gladly respect)? 

I believe there's a shot of him with his wife and kids at the end of the Endless Harmony dvd.

[Justin]

Yes that is true.

But I think it struck me odd that on this tour, Bruce was the only member who's family was practically absent from appearing with him anywhere.  Even Marry Ann, Al's wife tagged along on the tour and is seen here and there.  Jacky, Mike's wife was at a ton of shows (if not all) and Melinda...well obviously, she's always there.  With the new band Cal Saga, Bruce's kids aren't involved--granted I have no idea if they're even musically gifted to be able to join...  But it only reminded me that Bruce's family life isn't represented anywhere.

[Jon Stebbins]

Just curious: why is so little known about Bruce's family?  I've never seen any pics or videos of him and his wife or him mentioning her or his kids...is he just a very, very private man or is there some estrangement of some sort that I'm unaware of (and will gladly respect)? 

Bruce and his wife split up many years ago.

[Justin]

Ah well that explains that.  Thank you Jon for the info.    Any idea if his kids are in the music business themselves? 

When I met Bruce he wasn't afraid to talk me out of the music business even going as far as suggesting that I go back to school and get my masters.  Haha, I felt like I was being lectured by a family member at a family picnic.  "Okaaaaaay Uncle Bruce....gosh..."

[Catbirdman]

My two cents on three things:

1. I always heard/assumed it was "ways," and "waves" seems like a huge stretch, and given the evidence and lack thereof either way, I'll keep believing what I want to believe. 

2. I randomly came across the word "mondegreen" for the first time in my life this past Sunday, and I got a little moment of joy and bemusement to see Andrew use it just now.

3. There's no "Von" and while I feel they can goof around as much as they want when introducing band members and crap like that (which is how I would guess the moniker came about - same with "Nicky Wonder"), it offends my sense of propriety to the quick every time I see the "Von" in an official context in print, like in liner notes or articles and so forth. It's a name, folks, be accurate.

Now I have a question:

You know that tale about how Brian attempted to have the session musicians paid double for talking through their horns at that Surf's Up session? Is that apocryphal or is there actually evidence of it?

[punkinhead]

Since Al put his album out for sale on tour, has it done a lot better than expected?

[SIP.FLAC]

When was the last time Brian actually played bass live?

[hypehat]

When was the last time Brian actually played bass live?

Depends on your definition of play! He's hitting the root notes on them songs they strap the bass on for encores....

[SIP.FLAC]

When I've seen him he didn't even make the effort to do that.

[Aegir]

Ah well that explains that.  Thank you Jon for the info.    Any idea if his kids are in the music business themselves? 

When I met Bruce he wasn't afraid to talk me out of the music business even going as far as suggesting that I go back to school and get my masters.  Haha, I felt like I was being lectured by a family member at a family picnic.  "Okaaaaaay Uncle Bruce....gosh..."

I pretty sure Bruce's children all went to very prestigious colleges and have important rich person jobs.

[musicismylife101]

Speaking of Bruce, can anyone explain the "pistol-whipping" thing and how it originated? I actually took the time to search the board and had no luck in finding any answers.

[doing]

Do the lyrics of Feel Flows actually mean anything, or is it just "I'M JACK REILLY AND THIS IS COOL AS HELLLLLL *hits bong"?

[Aegir]

Heroin?

[Amanda Hart]

I was pretty sure it was about male ejaculate