I said a Prayer (This isn't Love)

[buddhahat]

I just heard this about a week ago, listening to the cocaine sessions and it really struck me as a beautiful song. I googled it to see if Brian had recorded any 'proper' versions of it and was surprised to see that it shows up on Live at the Roxy Theatre, which I own, but haven't listened to in years! Anyway I dug that out to find Brian and his band perform a much more finished version which made me think maybe there's a studio version somewhere.

What's the story with this song? Is it a BW original, and are there any other recordings of it besides the two I've mentioned?

[Jason]

The 1981 version is a BW original but there is a 1997 solo piano version out there, and the "finished" version on Live at the Roxy is a Wilson/Asher composition.

[SG7]

Actually there is two piano versions out there.

[buddhahat]

The 1981 version is a BW original but there is a 1997 solo piano version out there, and the "finished" version on Live at the Roxy is a Wilson/Asher composition.

Thanks that's great to know. I love it, especially the 81 version.

[Jay]

Personally, I've never heard much of a resemblance between I Said A Prayer, and This Isn't Love. The melody to TIL is a little like ISAP, but at a much faster tempo. While we're on the subject of ISAP, I have a question about it. On the version from the cocaine tapes, is Brian(or whoever is playing the piano) consistantly hitting the wrong note, or is it just a typical BW weird chord sequence? There is a certain note that sticks out to me, that sounds like it shouldn't fit.

[BiG GRiN]

You can find (and watch) a version of "This isn't love" in the DVD Brian Wilson "On Tour";
beautiful song!