A Q&A with Brian Wilson

[phirnis]

Mike Love's never going to be acknowledged as a great poet in his own right because his lyrics only really came to life in the sonic surroundings of BW's music (save for a few exceptions like Big Sur). I mean that in an entirely positive way. These two really had an extraordinary writing partnership going for a couple of years, where Mike's simple yet highly effective lyrics were the perfect counterpart to Brian's increasingly lush and complex arrangements. It's very apparent in songs like Good Vibrations or California Girls.

As for stuff like Summer of Love, I think Mike's main lyrical approach was never meant to work beyond a certain age. It's all about being young and, in a certain way, naive. That is what made some of his later stuff seem so utterly contrived or sometimes even cynical. People have very refined sensibilities with regards to whether a fun-in-the-sun lyric sounds either genuine or forced.

[kwebb]

Nice separation between "inspiration" and "influence" for Brian where the Beatles are concerned. I do see how they inspired Brian to reach higher, but musically, I don't think they really influenced him that much.

But Pet Sounds and Rubber Soul are SO similar musically...

[CenturyDeprived]

Mike Love's never going to be acknowledged as a great poet in his own right because his lyrics only really came to life in the sonic surroundings of BW's music (save for a few exceptions like Big Sur).

I think the main reason is because he wants to be, and had made no secret of having that desire. And making that desire publicly known never works. I defy anyone to name an artist who consistently seems to publicly verbalize a desire for more acknowledgement and respect, over and over again, and for that to lead to some sort of magical turnaround in public opinion. It's sadly detrimental to the cause simply due to human nature; people do not like to be told/reminded by an artist that the artist needs additional respect. It has to happen naturally, even despite and regardless of misinformation that is out there (as in Mike's case), and if not naturally and organically over time, it simply will not happen at all.

[shelter]

Not every interview or article can be written by an expert, or a hardcore fan. The guy did his homework to the best of his ability

He did not. I think that "doing your homework" when it comes to Brian Wilson means that you should at least read his Wikipedia page once. If he would've done that, he would've known that Brian is deaf in his right ear.

[Ang Jones]

Yes, Mike is the world's best lyricist, just like Bach wrote Ode to Joy.

And the word is 'awakened'.

[Autotune]

Not every interview or article can be written by an expert, or a hardcore fan. The guy did his homework to the best of his ability

He did not. I think that "doing your homework" when it comes to Brian Wilson means that you should at least read his Wikipedia page once. If he would've done that, he would've known that Brian is deaf in his right ear.

Yeah, but he's a naif writer. Probably semi-amateur, looking at the way he transcribed the answers and the fact that he could have edited the questions (after the interview) in order not to come off as ignorant about his deafness while remaining faithful about the questions and anwers. He chose to keep what seems the original wording, just as he transcribed Brian's request for a question to be repeated.

[Mike's Beard]

Yes, Mike is the world's best lyricist, just like Bach wrote Ode to Joy.

Brian seems to think so.

[Cam Mott]

Yes, Mike is the world's best lyricist, just like Bach wrote Ode to Joy.

Probably.

[Custom Machine]

I think there's a certain degree of tongue-in-cheek going on here... 

Such as?

[Matt Etherton]

Only this board could turn Brian's positive comments about his cousin into some sort of negative. To those participating in thist kind of discourse, I speak for a lot of us when I ask you to PLEASE STOP. It's exceedingly boring to read, cuts down on actual valuable posts, and most of us don't care about your back and forth who can more poorly prove a moot point.

[boco]

For anyone confused by Brian talking about Bach and Ode to Joy and California Girls, here's a clip that should clear things up.

https://youtu.be/_m1va4JjgfY?t=9m47s

Obviously, Ode to Joy has nothing to do with California Girls, or Bach for that matter...  California Girls was inspired by a different "Joy" composition actually by Bach - "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (yes, the same one that Lady Lynda lifted from - good for them to get two songs from the same source material).  It makes more sense when you can see/hear him explain it.

[Ang Jones]

For anyone confused by Brian talking about Bach and Ode to Joy and California Girls, here's a clip that should clear things up.

https://youtu.be/_m1va4JjgfY?t=9m47s

Obviously, Ode to Joy has nothing to do with California Girls, or Bach for that matter...  California Girls was inspired by a different "Joy" composition actually by Bach - "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (yes, the same one that Lady Lynda lifted from - good for them to get two songs from the same source material).  It makes more sense when you can see/hear him explain it.

Of course - just a slip of the tongue caused by two pieces of classical music written by composers beginning with 'B'  which each include the word 'joy'.

[Marty Castillo]

For anyone confused by Brian talking about Bach and Ode to Joy and California Girls, here's a clip that should clear things up.

https://youtu.be/_m1va4JjgfY?t=9m47s

Obviously, Ode to Joy has nothing to do with California Girls, or Bach for that matter...  California Girls was inspired by a different "Joy" composition actually by Bach - "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (yes, the same one that Lady Lynda lifted from - good for them to get two songs from the same source material).  It makes more sense when you can see/hear him explain it.

Brilliant, thanks for this!

[Wirestone]

Only this board could turn Brian's positive comments about his cousin into some sort of negative. To those participating in thist kind of discourse, I speak for a lot of us when I ask you to PLEASE STOP. It's exceedingly boring to read, cuts down on actual valuable posts, and most of us don't care about your back and forth who can more poorly prove a moot point.

You speak for no one other than yourself, and it's offensive to claim otherwise.

[Ang Jones]

Only this board could turn Brian's positive comments about his cousin into some sort of negative. To those participating in thist kind of discourse, I speak for a lot of us when I ask you to PLEASE STOP. It's exceedingly boring to read, cuts down on actual valuable posts, and most of us don't care about your back and forth who can more poorly prove a moot point.

You speak for no one other than yourself, and it's offensive to claim otherwise.

We've had negative turned to positive often enough. 'That's what he says TODAY' and other such comments. No doubt some are encouraged by any indication that there may be hope of another reunion. Some are discouraged by that. They have just as much of a right to an opinion as those in favour.

[drbeachboy]

Only this board could turn Brian's positive comments about his cousin into some sort of negative. To those participating in thist kind of discourse, I speak for a lot of us when I ask you to PLEASE STOP. It's exceedingly boring to read, cuts down on actual valuable posts, and most of us don't care about your back and forth who can more poorly prove a moot point.

You speak for no one other than yourself, and it's offensive to claim otherwise.

Sure, it's very easy to do when Mike isn't here to defend himself. I know you get upset when people get on you. I am sure that you know that it is one thing to be critical and another to be nasty and mean spirited about it.