Brian´s new Songs...

[wallabie]

Hi and hello,

I know, it´s all just about the music, and we shouldn´t care too much about background and so on. But, I remember... a couple of years ago, Melinda posted somewhere in the Blueboard, that Brian doesn´t write any new songs anymore and that other songwriters do this for him now... A friend told me now, that he heard from an "insider", that Brian didn´t had anything to do with "That lucky old sun", that they just bought the songs from orhter songwriters and someone else did the production or anything like this. Don´t know If I really want to believe this.

I know that Scott Bennett had a big hand in writing and producing the Album... and it was also reported, that a Band member mentioned, that Scotty did the whole concept for LOS ... so, does anyone know what is the truth or what is myth?

[Rocker]

a couple of years ago, Melinda posted somewhere in the Blueboard, that Brian doesn´t write any new songs anymore and that other songwriters do this for him now...

Even if it was true, Melinda would be the last person on earth to say so.....

A friend told me now, that he heard from an "insider", that Brian didn´t had anything to do with "That lucky old sun", that they just bought the songs from orhter songwriters and someone else did the production or anything like this. 

Since some of the songs were written by Brian in the 70s and 80s, I hardly believe it.

and it was also reported, that a Band member mentioned, that Scotty did the whole concept for LOS ... so

Well, the concept is a totally different thing, than the songs. I don't know about this, but wouldn't be that surprised if Brian just wrote the songs and someone else came up with the concept about L.A. (although Brian himself said that he was inspired when he bought and heard Satchmo's version of TLOS)

[Wirestone]

Brian and Scotty wrote the songs for the album (except for California Role, which was a tune from the 80s, and various bits like the hallelujah chant, which is from the 70s) in the summer 0f 2006; Brian just showed up with songs to demo in Scott's apartment. Brian was later commissioned to do a long piece by the Royal Albert Hall, and after not coming up with anything specific for the commission, asked Scott about using that previous material for the suite. The sequencing was largely done by Darian and Scotty, who also then asked Van Dyke to provide the spoken bits. Brian wrote several other songs at that time, which are available as bonus tracks.

[Nicko1234]

Yeah, I think the idea of buying songs from other writers is far fetched. I guess that Brian contributed different amounts to each song with some of them being mainly Scott`s. Midnight`s Another Day, for example, is probably 75% Scott`s song.

[nobody]

Probably not true in the fullest sense. Something in me doesn't buy the idea of Brian not writing songs anymore. Well, he might not write songs but I bet he spends a lot of time at his piano just playing around. Songs are typically for when you have some goal and desired end, otherwise it's much more relaxing to just chill and play what you feel.

Personally I don't like the idea of all these Scott Bennett's and whoever's being the shadow men in Brian's musical life. Just imagine if Paul McCartney released a record fully attributed to him but most of the writing and conceptual basis was done by someone else. It wouldn't go over too well. Brian has almost always worked with others but he was usually the center of the operation, now it seems like he's just there on the outside.

I'd be surprised if Brian makes another album. TLOS felt pretty conclusive, whether I like it as a record or not. It has a sense of things being wrapped up and finished.

I'd rather that Brian does as he pleases. I can't understanding why someone of his age would want to spend those years touring playing the hit songs he made in his youth. Seems like Bri's the kind of guy who prefers chillaxing at home with the family. Hopefully he doesn't feel pressured to keep churning out music if he doesn't feel like it. Horrible what the desire for money will do to people.

Perhaps a bit morbid but ... I really hope that when Brian dies it's not from exhaustion due to touring and being away from home. 

[wallabie]

Huh touch wood...

Ey, but it was also reported by a unnamed Band Member that - in his opinion - Midnights Another Day was the best Song Brian ever wrote.... so I can´t believe it, that it´s really 75 % Scott´s work? But maybe it is. Scott writes good songs himself...

But were all songs written 2006? Because in the Interview for "Lucky old Sun" it seems like... Scott refers pretty often to Van Dyke Parks narratives...

But yeah, it could be that that Brian and Scott wrote the songs and it was eventuelly Scott who cutted the pieces of the pie together into a suite. More or less I would say, that Brian is not so enthusiastic about music these days... the Band Members make suggestions and Brian says if he likes it or not.


Back to Melinda: To be honest, I haven´t read this post myself. Someone posted a bit of it in the German Message Board with a german translation. And If I am not mistaken, it was the same guy who said, that Brian doesn´t write his himself anymore... maybe I should not believe these people anymore, should I ?

[the captain]

No, you should not.

[juggler]

Ey, but it was also reported by a unnamed Band Member that - in his opinion - Midnights Another Day was the best Song Brian ever wrote....

Wow, I had no idea that one of the band members is totally deaf.

[nobody]

Ey, but it was also reported by a unnamed Band Member that - in his opinion - Midnights Another Day was the best Song Brian ever wrote....

Wow, I had no idea that one of the band members is totally deaf.

Perhaps they meant the most emotionally moving. The "made me feel so alone" bit is extremely touching knowing Brian's history. I was sort of let down when I found out that Scott wrote the lyrics. Like I said before, Tony Asher writing lyrics for Brian on Pet Sounds or Van Dyke Parks for SMiLE is totally acceptable because we know Brian was the central source inspiration ... but I get the feeling that Brian may have had the song but no ideas lyrically and Scott came up with it himself, acquired permission, and basically wrote out Brian's emotions for him. The point doesn't come across well in writing because that's pretty much what Tony seems to have done on the Pet Sounds songs, but you know what I mean.

[the captain]

Same situation. The differences are just the mythologies we create. A professional composer hires someone to help, mostly with lyrics. You feel touched, hey, great collaboration, really hits the soul. You don't, it's a bunch of bullshit, all for the money, leeching off the reputation, or whatever else. Myths built to make your story work.

[nobody]

Same situation. The differences are just the mythologies we create. A professional composer hires someone to help, mostly with lyrics. You feel touched, hey, great collaboration, really hits the soul. You don't, it's a bunch of bullmerda, all for the money, leeching off the reputation, or whatever else. Myths built to make your story work.

But I can still feel touched even while having the nagging feeling that it really was a bunch of bullshit, all for the money, leeching of the reputation, and whatever else. See Midnight's Another Day.

Luther do you wear g-strings?

[the captain]

Yes. Constantly.

[Dancing Bear]

Ey, but it was also reported by a unnamed Band Member that - in his opinion - Midnights Another Day was the best Song Brian ever wrote....

Wow, I had no idea that one of the band members is totally deaf.

[SG7]

He needs autotune 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Yeah, I think the idea of buying songs from other writers is far fetched. I guess that Brian contributed different amounts to each song with some of them being mainly Scott`s. Midnight`s Another Day, for example, is probably 75% Scott`s song.

Scotty wrote the intro and outro (and the lyric, of course) - the rest is Brian's work.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Didn't it start off as an uptempo song?

[wallabie]

If I am not mistaken, Scotty stated that he didn´t write the lyircs for "Midnight" about Brian, he wrote it about his own life. Didn´t he mention this on the Lucky old Sun DVD...


I don´t have any problem if anyone from the Band writes lyrics for Brian. Sure, he might not longer be the center piece of the songs, but I am sure, his Band-Mates know HIM and now how and what to write for or about him. Gosh, they are together for 10 years right now. They started back in March 1999 and they didn´t even celebrate the... "First 10 years"....


Yesterday, on my way to Achil Island (is a 3 hour trip) I only had "Lucky old Sun" in my car, so I listened to it twice. After two years, it still sounds fresh and good. Still love it... hope Brian and Scott team up again.

[Nicko1234]

Didn't it start off as an uptempo song?

Yes, Scott has said himself in an interview that he slowed down the original tempo and also changed the notes around. If, as AGD says, that he also wrote the intro and outro as well as all of the lyrics then 75% seems a fair estimation.

[shelter]

Yes, Scott has said himself in an interview that he slowed down the original tempo and also changed the notes around. If, as AGD says, that he also wrote the intro and outro as well as all of the lyrics then 75% seems a fair estimation.

If Scott didn't write the music for the verses and chorus and the vocal melodies, than 75% is way too much credit.

[Nicko1234]

If Scott didn't write the music for the verses and chorus and the vocal melodies, than 75% is way too much credit.

Well, I don`t see the point in debating a few percent here or there Clearly Scott wrote the lyrics which is half of the song right there. Then the music was obviously a collboration between the two of them with Brian coming up with the original tune but Scott doing all that has previously been mentioned.

[Rocker]

Back to Melinda: To be honest, I haven´t read this post myself. Someone posted a bit of it in the German Message Board with a german translation. And If I am not mistaken, it was the same guy who said, that Brian doesn´t write his himself anymore... maybe I should not believe these people anymore, should I ?

No, you should only trust me.....

Yes, Scott has said himself in an interview that he slowed down the original tempo and also changed the notes around. If, as AGD says, that he also wrote the intro and outro as well as all of the lyrics then 75% seems a fair estimation.

Slowing down the tempo doesn't make you a 75%-writer of the song.
Let's see, he wrote the intro, the outro and, at least, some of the lyrics. I'd say it wouldn't be too crazy too call it a 50-50 collaboration

[Nicko1234]

Slowing down the tempo doesn't make you a 75%-writer of the song.

Nobody said it did.

Let's see, he wrote the intro, the outro and, at least, some of the lyrics. I'd say it wouldn't be too crazy too call it a 50-50 collaboration

I may have missed something but every comment from Brian`s camp that I`ve read has stated that Scott wrote all of the lyrics. If he did then that is obviously 50% right there.

The music was a collaboration but it doesn`t really serve much purpose to debate exact percentages I guess.

[Rocker]

Slowing down the tempo doesn't make you a 75%-writer of the song.

Nobody said it did.

Sorry, misunderstood your last post.

Let's see, he wrote the intro, the outro and, at least, some of the lyrics. I'd say it wouldn't be too crazy too call it a 50-50 collaboration

I may have missed something but every comment from Brian`s camp that I`ve read has stated that Scott wrote all of the lyrics. If he did then that is obviously 50% right there.

The music was a collaboration but it doesn`t really serve much purpose to debate exact percentages I guess.

I don't know if he wrote all of the lyrics or just most of it, therefor I was just careful how to say it.
I just think that lyrics are not that important to a composition that they alone would take 50%. Mike wrote all the lyrics to "California girls", but it still is a Brian-song to me. Anyway, we might make a more important thing out of it, as it actually is or should be

[wallabie]

My Gosh, percentage... Scotty also mentioned that Brian wrote the whole songs and most of the lyrics for "Oxygen" and "Mexican Girl"... but they are also mentioned at 50/50 collabs. I say it doesn´t really matter who makes what, both were included so you can share the credit...


But I am wondering know.. .you said that Brian wrote most of the songs in the 70th? Huh? Which one? I only know "California Role" was wirtten in the 1980th but the other ones?


But I am still laughing about Scott telling us how this collaboration started in the first place (if I got it right)... "Brian called me like every day... Hey Scott, you have a home studio, haven´t you..."..."Yes...?"... "Can I come over and record some stuff...?"... .."Well, should I say no?" ... so I wonder if it really happened that way...

I like these things... Melinda stated somewhen, over 10-15 years ago (was it in the I just wasn´t made for these times doku?) ... that Brian said: "Hey, I have an idea for a song, let´s go to Andy..." ...



BTW... I asked a question here about Debbie and Debbie answered. I asked a question here about Beach Boys Manager and ... I got a real unexpected email.... So this is a question about LOS, Brian and Scotty.... so just in chase..... ---> jamesdavid_martin@yahoo.ie  

[Rocker]

But I am wondering know.. .you said that Brian wrote most of the songs in the 70th? Huh?

Who said so?