It may have been fate that I was listening to the final half-hour of
Rich Russo’s Anything, Anything this
past Sunday night, as I caught his segue of Barenaked Ladies’ classic “Brian Wilson”, preceded by a partial live cover by the man himself. While the other
members of the Beach Boys certainly played a major role in the group’s success
(as evidenced by some fine work while Wilson was in the depths of his
long-lasting mental health issues), there’s no question that Brian Wilson
deserves his accolades as a musical genius; I’m not sure who else has been
included in lists of top singers, songwriters, AND producers by major music publications.
Except for when one of my dorm neighbors in college frequently played the
underappreciated Surf’s Up album, I
was always more inspired by the band on a song-by-song basis: not just the big
hits, but many of their more obscure tracks as well. Although Brian Wilson’s melodies
and vocal arrangements get the most attention, many of the band’s lyrics are
also notable, initially evoking both the joys and difficulties of the teen
years, and tackling more sophisticated topics later with the likes of “Long
Promised Road” and “Til I Die”.
Favorite songs:
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Barbara Ann
All Summer Long
Please Let Me Wonder
In My Room
Long Promised Road
Help Me, Rhonda
Fun, Fun, Fun
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Sloop John B.
Good Timin'
Surf's Up
Darlin'
Surfer Girl
Good Vibrations
California Girls
Disney Girls
Wendy
Surfin' U.S.A.
Holiday bonus – just about everyone is familiar with the classics
“Little Saint Nick” and “The Man With All The Toys”. They also did a stunning
version of “Graduation Day”.