@ashie259 yes, this is a mix by Steven Desper, the original engineer on these sessions, an alternate mix. Thankfully almost all of the vault material from Brian has leaked out.
Great vid. Thanks. Brian has been fabulous. I've enjoyed so much growing up with all his creations, even when he lost belief in himself, I still believed.
I think that when BW fans look back on his musicology, it's easy to see that Brian has always been innately capable of reaching into his god-given pool of creative power, & pulling out inspired gems - even when he's been at his supposed 'worst' in terms of his mental & physical lows (thanks for your contributions there, Mike Love). One need only look to magnificent pieces such as this, Til I Die, + songs like "Walk on Water", "The First Time", & "I Walk Alone" (all early 80s) for evidence.
@ilsy74 : hi there, my friend; I haven't forgotten about your request, and I'm very sorry that I haven't taken action thusfar to satisfy your request. Things have been very busy, very hectic at my end. I'll contact you soon, separately with a personal message, regarding my sending you the songs & clips you talked about. Cheers, CD.
What an absolutely incredible and beautiful song. I've read that Mike Love wasn't crazy about recording "Until I Die" because he didn't like or understand the lyrics. To me, that says that he has no soul.
Not the Motown or the eternal kind of soul, I mean the heart kind of soul.
I don't think Mike Love understood the change of music really. He didn't understand the deeper meaning of most songs wanted to record. While everyone seemed to want to move forward, Mike was still stuck in 1964 singing about girls, surfing, and hamburger stands.
That's a big part of it. On the positive side, I've read that Mike's contributions to the lyrics of "Good Vibrations" helped keep the song grounded, since Brian was losing touch at that time. I've also read that Mike felt that songs like "Until I Die" weren't money-makers. That seemed more important to him than to the rest of the band. It still boggles my mind that he didn't appreciate the intense beauty of the song, especially the heart-breaking lyrics. "Until I Die" is vastly underrated, IMO.
I agree with that. Brian wanted to create different sounds since everyone was going that way and Mike still wanted to play it safe so to speak. I don't think Mike Love realized where music was going in the late 60's and early 70s. Until I die is a very underrated song, but really, I think Mike Love really didn't have what it took to take his career to the next level like Brian wanted to.
Well, when you write lyrics as exquisite as "seems she forgot all about the library like she told her own man now," and "it's automatic when old friends get together the conversation turns to the girls we knew when their hair was soft and long and the beach was the place to go." Mike may have been hurt that he was discarded from the lyrical component of Brian's sweet music, just as Brian, later, was hurt at not being asked to sing on Kokomo. Hey, it's family!
@ragamuffin92 Jings, what's not understandable about those lovely lyrics? How could Mike Love not understand or like this beautiful song? I suppose we have to agree with the other poster about it not being a big money-spinner. How shallow of ML. Brian is just amazing and to be still standing after all he's been through is wonderful. He has such soul and love.
When I first heard Smile, it was like finding a lost Revolver, Rubber Soul. I am a huge Lennon/McCartney Beatle fan...but as great as Beatle Harmonies are. Brian's harmonies sound like they were crafted in heaven... amazing!
The original poster says "The moog is mesmerizing!" but I really don't hear anything that sounds like a synth. Except the little drum and snare sound. Everything else sounds like vibes, organ and bass, very organic.
Stevie Wonder i would put at 6 or maybe even replace Neil young at 5. Michael Jackson was an innovator but didn't necessarily write the best songs, he also didn't write ALL of his best hits but most. Barry Gibb was talented but to me his early stuff was an attempt to sound like the beatles and his later stuff was annoying, high pitched disco.
There is one thing that isn't subjective: 1 and 2. Everything after that can be argued to death but when it comes to popular music of the 20th century, nobody is better than those three men. Period.
I like all these artists, and listen to all of them, but I dont think Neil Young should be ranked that highly because I think his songs sound too alike, despite being around forever. Lennon Mccartney had more diversity in 8 years than he ever had, and diversity is important to me.
I like Dylan cos he is really different. And if u get bored listening to him, his words really arouse your intellect. He also brings out a lot of creativity in me for some reason, especially when writing poetry. Neil Young, again he is too predictable. He is MOR but with gusto. Excpet in 80s when he was real weird. Lennon Mccartney I was a fan of at 15. As an adult I can see the magic but I dont get in to it.Paul Simon is the spice of modern music. Can make any style of music rock!
@johnowensjr1234 I don't think you can really count Paul McCartney in any catagory of song writing. The Beatles name should have been The George Martin and his Orchestra. No joke. Their song writing was such a co-operative effort that it's nearly impossible to truely give credit it's proper due. Their harmonies were entirely George Martin. Alot of their "bridges" and chord changes were George Martin and "other" musicians that would assist the song writers in their efforts. The Beatles (cont)
@spactick I do agree with your assessment of George Martin; he was the official fifth Beatle. He helped them develop creatively, adding revolutionary production techniques and virtuous musicality. To say their harmonies were entirely GM is just inaccurate though. Since their teens, before they knew GM, they were perfecting their harmonies and were highly in sync musically. I never heard one source stating that GM helped in songwriting and its well known the beatles composed themselves.
@johnowensjr1234 The Beatles music was co-oped. Their approach to music was very similar to the process of film making, that's why is so hard to really give credit to any one contributor. For example the song Mitchell was heavily influenced my George Martin. In fact, the guitar solo that you hear on the record was composed and played by Mr. Martin. That's alittle more than being a background influence. Although there is no credit given to Mr. Martin. Why? All of the orchestrians (cont.)
@spactick "For example the song Mitchell was heavily influenced my George Martin. In fact, the guitar solo that you hear on the record was composed and played by Mr. Martin." MAKES NO SENSE. Explain that when you haven't been drinking and we'll talk. As far as the background orchestral music, Martin used the compositional structures that John and Paul wrote to produce them. Not really that prodigious. What IS prodigious is to compose those melodies. Only the Beatles THEMSELVES did that.
@johnowensjr1234 Calm down johnwensir. It is a fact that Martin wrote and played the guitar solo etc; on "Mitchell". I know that cus I heard Martin say it himself in a documentary. Now of course he could have been lying, but he doesn't seem like the lying type. Anyway, why are you being so defensive of Pauly. You related or something? He your cousin? And for info I'm not consuming alcohol. I've switched to glue. : )
@johnowensjr1234 (cont.) that you hear on their albums were written by Mr. Martin, but again why? when that is certainly a major part of what you hear. Another example is the violin work on Elenore Rigby. That was a major part of that song, right? which Martin did, and yet no creditation. again why? Because if you were to see ALL the outside influences on their music, it would diminish the stature of their product. The Beatles. Not there's anything wrong with that , in fact it worked.
@spactick Despite what you might have heard, Paul Mccartney is melodic GENIUS. I mean he wrote "Hey Jude" COME ON!. I'll admit his stint with the Beatles was the peak of his creativity but longevity is irrelevant. The consensus among most beatle-storians is that the early songs were highly co-operative but as they progressed, whoever was singing on the song GENERALLY wrote the song (Ringo is the obvious exception). Nobody helped them write: Paul wrote "Blackbird" and John wrote "Girl". Period.
@johnowensjr1234 McCartney's a melodic genius? HA HA HA HA HA are you out of your mind? ha ha ha ha Paul McCartney's musical palette is one total musical cliche (?). What specific song that he wrote in your view is the work of a genius? "Why don't we do it in the road"? ha ha ha ha I'll wait for an answer.................
@spactick I shouldn't even respond to your view on Paul McCartney's music but his record speaks for itself. The global consensus for the last half century has been that his music is some of the most influential of all of modern history. If you can't listen to his library from 1960 to present and realize his genius, then I would conclude that you lack all ability to acknowledge art.
@johnowensjr1234 You know something johnowensir? your right. I just went and listened to some of my rock and roll/ drug addict roomates cd selections of Beatle music. And your right. Paul McCartney had talent. No doubt about it . He had talent. So I'm gonna do you a big favor and rewrite my list of of the greatest song writers of pot-head / drug rock/ easy listening rock musak. Alright? Here goes johnowensir. #1. Liberace #2. Wayne Newton #3. Paul McCartney #4. Don Ho #5. Barry Manilow
@johnowensjr1234 cont. I know this will controversial to some people, but I stand by my humble opinion that Paul McCartney wrote some of the cutest "jingles" / songs in the later half of the 20th century. By the way I didn't make it all the way thru high school. My teacher expelled me from school for being a complete annoying asshole. GO FIGURE?
@spactick tell me if wayne could write "Hey Jude", "Let it Be" or "Here, There and Everywhere" and I'll consider your opinion. Until then you suck at life.
@johnowensjr1234 Actually, I find "Hey Jude" to be kinda mediocre . In fact "Hey Jude" and "Let it Be" are the same song with different words and a slight change in it's timing. Check it out, play the two songs right after one another and you can hear the similarity. Although I will say that "And I love Her" is a beautiful song. Probably the best one he wrote. "Long and Winding Road" is also a beautiful, well written, piece of music. But "Why don't we do it in the Road"? I'd be embarressed
@johnowensjr1234 to have to have written such "shlaush". By the way, lay off Wayne Newton he's got connections with "The Mob", and I don't think he's appreciate your insults. Danka Shane...........
@johnowensjr1234 another band that should be mentioned in that list of "great rock/pop" (in your opinion) song writers is STEELY DAN. In my opinion, no one, not even The Beach Boys or The Beatles had the sophistication and musical brilliance that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (aka Steely Dan) have. Their album "Aja" stands alone as a high water mark for intellectual rock. The Beach Boys and Beatles were creative, but did not have the matureity of The Dan.
@johnowensjr1234 be specific (with the Beatles), what exactly would you say is a musical invention that can be directly rooted to The Beatles? The Beach Boys were obviously the first "self contained" rock band that both wrote and produced their music. Steely Dan were the first rock band that successfully fused rock and jazz. Many of their contributors on their albums (Steve Gadd, Wayne Shorter, Larry Carlton, Chuck Rainey etc;) are universally respected solo and studio jazz musicians. cont.
@johnowensjr1234 cont. I think if you ask anyone in "The Bizz" they'll agree Donald Fagen is one of the most brilliant and creative jazz/rock musicians of the last 40 years. So what specific musical innovation is it that your refering to with The Beatles? seriously, cus I can't think of any.
@spactick how about taking what the architects of rock (elvis, chuck berry) did with popular music and propel it into new, experimental types of music that opened the door for progressive rock of ALL kinds. Nobody did what they did before their inception. NOBODY. Ask anybody in the "bizz" The beatles took songwriting to new heights with experimenting with production, musical arrangements, instrumental diversity, etc. From 1960-1970, rock began its flourishing with four lads from Liverpool.
@johnowensjr1234 I guess what I'm tryin to say johnowens is that the Beatles approach to music making was very "democratic". People like Eric Clapton, Billy Preston etc; etc; all made significant contibutions to the production of their music. For lack of a better word? I would describe their music making process as " Music by Committee". And there's nothing wrong with that. But when it came to the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson was song writer and producer. All in one.
@spactick To sum up your absurd presumption on Lennon/McCartney's legacy, each of those men wrote some of the best songs EVER either together or separate within the Beatles-era credit. Like I said before, there is no conclusive evidence available to say that anybody other than themselves had contributed to their compositions. Musicians contributed to the RECORDINGS (clapton, preston, martin, hopkins, etc) but nobody helped write. Only Lennon and McCartney wrote their songs from 1960-1970.
@johnowensjr1234 Look johnowensir, obviously your in love. You are sooooooooo smitten. And I apology for attacking your love interest. Can I ask you a question? are you a male/ female? and what age group are you? How many pictures of " little Pauly" do you have in your wallet or purse? come on, you can tell the ol' spactick dude. Come on......... by the way I'm waiting for your response on my request of the singular "genius" song.
@spactick bee gees SUCK. The world consensus is Paul Mccartney is a genius. If you don't abide by that, then you either refuse to except reality or truly think he sucks. Either way, I don't take anything you say seriously.
@spactick btw, if you think "absurd presumption" are big words, then I think you might want to graduate from high school before you get youtube privileges.
@spactick I agree on the principle of "Music by Committee". Miles Davis is another famous example of that, even if his personnality was different, he knew how to gather musicians to produce something different.
@oliverecords Thanks, not to take anything away from the writers in that group. Lennon/McCartney/Harrison, they were no doubt very innovative talents. But to elevate their musical stature to "Genius"? I don't think so. To me a genius is someone who works alone by his or her self and produces the work. The Beatles (on the other hand) produced their music by communal effort. In every interview I've heard they've expressed the fact that each song was produced under multilple contributors.
@johnowensjr1234 cont. were relatively successful before Martin, but after him? became a global phenomena.And after they left Marin? oh boy. ha ha ha " Wings" doesn't exacty get me excited. Does it you johnowensir? Anyway, getting back to the list? Your right, those are different catagories, but you didn't specifically state the catagories that the list entailed. OK then, lets see? #1. Chuck Berry, for the simple reason he pritty much created Rock and Roll #2. Bob Dylan, for (cont.)
@johnowensjr1234 cont. basically/ utterly destroying the 3 minute pop song that had existed since the beginning of recorded sound. I mean he totally blew it up. Dylan did to pop music what Beethoven did to Classical music with his 3rd Symphony. Totally tranformed (and) recreated it. #3. Brian Wilson, because he made teenage/ rock groups take their music seriously. "In My Room" is a great composition. Totally unexpected from a Surf Music Group. He made rock music art. It's that simple.
@johnowensjr1234 cont. #4. John Lennon, because he was the leader of the most successful rock band of all time. And a host of other things. #5. Hank Williams, because without Hank I believe there would never have been Berry or Elvis or any of the others that followed. So there you have it. At least that's my list. I'm exhausted. :)
@spactick I put Lennon/Mccartney together because as a pair, whether writing together or just credited together, wrote the most innovative songwriters of the 20th century. When went separate ways, they never wrote like that again. That's why I don't agree to put Lennon, or even Mccartney, by himself. As far as Hank, Berry or Elvis, they weren't the greatest songwriters of the 20th. They were the first to ESTABLISH rock but they didn't unlock it like the Beatles. They set the precedent.
@johnowensjr1234 hey there johnowensir, how ya doin? still tryin to find that masterpiece of a song? ha ha ha anyway, listen, I've got another example of the influence of Senior Martin. THE BEE GEES. Before they met Senior Martin the were the bee gees (you get it?). Kind of a middle of the road/ so so pop group that had a couplea decent hits, but nothing that compared with what they produced once they hooked up with good ol' Georgey. ha ha ha ha still waiting?
@johnowensjr1234 I agree that Neil Young shouldn't be there...but perhaps Neil Finn, definitely Barry Gibb...and (despite how cheesy they are) ABBA should definitely be there
@Motohead37 Jim was unique and a great poet but i wouldn't consider him a songwriter. I dont know if he actually wrote any music for the doors, just the lyrics.
Brian is the greatest American Song writer/Producer/vocal arranger ever. When you think he did all the stuff by himself and just plugged the beach boys wonderful voices in. ...WOW. His talent stands above any other single music artist. Only the Beatles are bigger, But that was 2 geniuses plus another damn good song writer, plus George Martian.
@harwicke Exactly, my point harwicke. Please explain that to johnowens. The Beatles were a group effort. A communal form of music writing. They had anywhere from 4 - 10 people working on their songs/jingles. The Beach Boys were Brian Wilson period. Thank you for making my point.
I've always felt that in the music industry he was & is a genius. The reality is that he seems to have always had trouble in many other aspects of his life. Sounds like a common thread for most of us. We thrive in some aspects of life and fail miserably in others. Sure glad he soared and still soars musically. He always wrote, and still writes, right from the depths of his heart. His music has taken me to places that no other writer has ever done hands down.
When I see these video's of these terrible times in Brian's life, you just want to give him a big hug and tell him everythings going to be all right. It's such a shame that he did that to himself. So glad he survived to perform all these years later. Hope he's here for many years to come.
Yes, I guess Brian did it to himself, but he definitely had some help getting there. IF that horrible time had never happened, just think of what might have been. Believe me though, that takes nothing away from his actual accomplishments then and now. This man is a genius!
"I don't think I am a genius. I believe the word genius applies only to people who can do things that other people can't do. I can't do things others can't. I wasn't a genius in high school, and I'm not now."
A classic landmark Brian Wilson song. What's even better, Brian is not afraid to perform it these days, either, on stage. The various film / video footage of Brian in this posting is awesome - a collector's gem !!
One of the most haunting codas ever realized. Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Also, Bruce Johnston is probably the best interviewee in all of the published video documentation of the Beach Boys' career, period. Insightful, smart, an insider but detached enough to give real insight. Unfortunately, I've heard tell he is a total jerk.
@crimsonrush totally agree, when I 'got' petsounds my life was the better for it.......some people listen to early beach boys songs and think they are so funny or dumb but for me especially say on a track like 'when I grow up' it's just pure melodic genius....thank you brian wilson
Un soir j'ai vu un esprit. Il m'a dit " tu vas mourir " et il a disparu. Maintenant que vous avez lu ça vous allez mourir dans 3 jours exactement sauf si vous mettez ça sur 50 videos, c'est pas de moi.
A most gratious man - he dedicates his music to his brothers - he is a great poet, a survivor, and as much a sweet genius & inspiration as Mozart - love ya Bri and everyone else - enjoy the lasting phenomenon!!
At :57 Brian is sitting there, and it's as if the 10,000's of people in the audience are not there. Brian's troubles affected us all, because of how much he gave us, and because of how much we want him to be ok. His comeback in the 2000's has been heartwarming.
i agree sargeanthulka, you put it very well... his problems afected us because of how much he gave us... and we want him to be ok... VERY well said... we want him well because he has been in our homes and we took him on vacations and in the car and on the radio and TV... his music is a part of all of us now... our memories, hopes, dreams... very heartwarming indeed that he has overcome his personal demons of the flesh and the mind and im very impressed by SMILE! Brian Wilson is amazing.
couldn't have said it better myself. brian is a very modest and gracious man. a genius, a kind man. and yes, we hurt when he fell and we were happy when he re-appeared and started touring again. his pain is ours. we love him, i suppose for the brilliant music he's given us, but after all these years, we also feel for him, we want him to be well and happy. so sad that his 2 brothers have now gone and he's the only one left. i'm 39 and got into pet sounds when i was 16 - it still resonates..
From what I know, having read David Marks's biography, and he is the most neutral apolitical member of the group, Brian would take his 4 freshman records and sit there playing bit by bit over and over, whilst teaching himself the piano and vocal part. Now that's pure genius. He would only have been a teenager.
What Brian Wilson knows cannot be taught in schools. When he was born, God reached down and gave us a brilliant musician, easily on par with Mozart or any of the great masters. What is most blessed is that he is still with us. Buy and listen to "Lucky Old Sun." He still has it. More mature, more introspective. "At 25 I turned out the lights because I couldn't stand the glare in my tired eyes; but now I'm back...."
Brian sat in his room listening to The Four Freshman albums by the hour figuring out the harmonies note for note with his one good ear all through is adolesense.
leonard cohen too
mervynfrost 6 months ago
@mervynfrost "jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water"
seacow313 6 months ago
one of the Great Man's greatest songs........sad song, sad images, but Brian's renaissance gives hope for us all....Thank you and God bless you,Brian
dirkbrad 9 months ago 2
McCartney considered BW a genius.
scottmanduzy 11 months ago
@scottmanduzy McCartney wished he was Brian Wilson.
spactick 10 months ago
eh, I honestly like Niel Young more than Brian Wilson.
soulseeker300 1 year ago
El mundo ama a Brian. Larga vida!
anitasseo 1 year ago
this doesn't sound like my vinly at all. where did this come from? sounds awesome
anothercountyheard 1 year ago
@anothercountyheard That's what I'd like to know. It's got a verse missing for a start. Did you ever get an answer?
ashie259 11 months ago
@ashie259 yes, this is a mix by Steven Desper, the original engineer on these sessions, an alternate mix. Thankfully almost all of the vault material from Brian has leaked out.
anothercountyheard 11 months ago
He never lost his music, no matter how bad things got. Man, the strength that must have taken.
ottawangel 1 year ago
what song is playin ?
tinnigeimgengill 1 year ago
@tinnigeimgengill 'til I die - Surf's Up album.
Karateworm 1 year ago
A deeply troubled Brian in some of these pics, but his recovery shows that sometimes good things do happen in life. A happy ending.
TheMagicalMadrigal 1 year ago 2
Great vid. Thanks. Brian has been fabulous. I've enjoyed so much growing up with all his creations, even when he lost belief in himself, I still believed.
wistaria2010 1 year ago 2
I think that when BW fans look back on his musicology, it's easy to see that Brian has always been innately capable of reaching into his god-given pool of creative power, & pulling out inspired gems - even when he's been at his supposed 'worst' in terms of his mental & physical lows (thanks for your contributions there, Mike Love). One need only look to magnificent pieces such as this, Til I Die, + songs like "Walk on Water", "The First Time", & "I Walk Alone" (all early 80s) for evidence.
colindominy 1 year ago 10
@colindominy Hi, please post these as I have never heard of them. I thought I had most of his unreleased material!
ilsy74 1 year ago
@ilsy74 : hi there, my friend; I haven't forgotten about your request, and I'm very sorry that I haven't taken action thusfar to satisfy your request. Things have been very busy, very hectic at my end. I'll contact you soon, separately with a personal message, regarding my sending you the songs & clips you talked about. Cheers, CD.
colindominy 1 year ago
@colindominy Thanks for hitting that nail on the head
criggo28 1 year ago
@criggo28 Thank you very much. You are clearly a hard-core life-long fan .. good on you.
colindominy 1 year ago
What is this video from?
runnersdialzero33 2 years ago
From the documentary 'Endless Harmony'
caraquinha 1 year ago
Dennis Wilson once said"Brian Wilson IS the Beach Boys ,we are all just his messengers!!
dmcguire70 2 years ago 5
What an absolutely incredible and beautiful song. I've read that Mike Love wasn't crazy about recording "Until I Die" because he didn't like or understand the lyrics. To me, that says that he has no soul.
Not the Motown or the eternal kind of soul, I mean the heart kind of soul.
ragamuffin92 2 years ago
I don't think Mike Love understood the change of music really. He didn't understand the deeper meaning of most songs wanted to record. While everyone seemed to want to move forward, Mike was still stuck in 1964 singing about girls, surfing, and hamburger stands.
sideways24 2 years ago
That's a big part of it. On the positive side, I've read that Mike's contributions to the lyrics of "Good Vibrations" helped keep the song grounded, since Brian was losing touch at that time. I've also read that Mike felt that songs like "Until I Die" weren't money-makers. That seemed more important to him than to the rest of the band. It still boggles my mind that he didn't appreciate the intense beauty of the song, especially the heart-breaking lyrics. "Until I Die" is vastly underrated, IMO.
ragamuffin92 2 years ago
I agree with that. Brian wanted to create different sounds since everyone was going that way and Mike still wanted to play it safe so to speak. I don't think Mike Love realized where music was going in the late 60's and early 70s. Until I die is a very underrated song, but really, I think Mike Love really didn't have what it took to take his career to the next level like Brian wanted to.
sideways24 2 years ago
Well, when you write lyrics as exquisite as "seems she forgot all about the library like she told her own man now," and "it's automatic when old friends get together the conversation turns to the girls we knew when their hair was soft and long and the beach was the place to go." Mike may have been hurt that he was discarded from the lyrical component of Brian's sweet music, just as Brian, later, was hurt at not being asked to sing on Kokomo. Hey, it's family!
phddddd 1 year ago
@ragamuffin92 Jings, what's not understandable about those lovely lyrics? How could Mike Love not understand or like this beautiful song? I suppose we have to agree with the other poster about it not being a big money-spinner. How shallow of ML. Brian is just amazing and to be still standing after all he's been through is wonderful. He has such soul and love.
cherubsgirl 1 year ago
When I first heard Smile, it was like finding a lost Revolver, Rubber Soul. I am a huge Lennon/McCartney Beatle fan...but as great as Beatle Harmonies are. Brian's harmonies sound like they were crafted in heaven... amazing!
backbeatml 2 years ago 2
The original poster says "The moog is mesmerizing!" but I really don't hear anything that sounds like a synth. Except the little drum and snare sound. Everything else sounds like vibes, organ and bass, very organic.
fuzzalicioous 2 years ago
FYI, comparing the songwriting of Lennon/McCartney to Brian Wilson is like apples to oranges
johnowensjr1234 2 years ago
Top 5 20th Century Songwriters:
1. Lennon/McCartney
2. Brian Wilson
3. Bob Dylan
4. Paul Simon
5. Neil Young
johnowensjr1234 2 years ago 7
What about Barry Gibb? Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson sure have to be there, unless you were in an alternate 20th century!
ilsy74 2 years ago
Stevie Wonder i would put at 6 or maybe even replace Neil young at 5. Michael Jackson was an innovator but didn't necessarily write the best songs, he also didn't write ALL of his best hits but most. Barry Gibb was talented but to me his early stuff was an attempt to sound like the beatles and his later stuff was annoying, high pitched disco.
johnowensjr1234 2 years ago
Well thats taste for you. Listen to the song Edison from the Odessa album. proves Bee gees could do psychedelia, better than most!
ilsy74 2 years ago
There is one thing that isn't subjective: 1 and 2. Everything after that can be argued to death but when it comes to popular music of the 20th century, nobody is better than those three men. Period.
johnowensjr1234 2 years ago
I like all these artists, and listen to all of them, but I dont think Neil Young should be ranked that highly because I think his songs sound too alike, despite being around forever. Lennon Mccartney had more diversity in 8 years than he ever had, and diversity is important to me.
ilsy74 2 years ago
I like Dylan cos he is really different. And if u get bored listening to him, his words really arouse your intellect. He also brings out a lot of creativity in me for some reason, especially when writing poetry. Neil Young, again he is too predictable. He is MOR but with gusto. Excpet in 80s when he was real weird. Lennon Mccartney I was a fan of at 15. As an adult I can see the magic but I dont get in to it.Paul Simon is the spice of modern music. Can make any style of music rock!
ilsy74 2 years ago
What about Joni?
Shimmeringsmiley 2 years ago
Comment removed
MrLazyHippie 2 years ago
@johnowensjr1234
Neil Young? Not even top 100. What about Neil Diamond? There are many I'd pick before Young.
joeyb4ever 1 year ago
@joeyb4ever Well, I disagree with you. But that's OK.
ashie259 11 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 you are soooooo confused my friend. 1. George Gershwin 2. Richard Rogers. 3. Duke Elllington 4. Cole Porter 5. who cares
spactick 11 months ago
@spactick I'm not counting the great american songbook.....having said that, I think rhapsody in blue is the greatest american piece of music PERIOD.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 I don't think you can really count Paul McCartney in any catagory of song writing. The Beatles name should have been The George Martin and his Orchestra. No joke. Their song writing was such a co-operative effort that it's nearly impossible to truely give credit it's proper due. Their harmonies were entirely George Martin. Alot of their "bridges" and chord changes were George Martin and "other" musicians that would assist the song writers in their efforts. The Beatles (cont)
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick I do agree with your assessment of George Martin; he was the official fifth Beatle. He helped them develop creatively, adding revolutionary production techniques and virtuous musicality. To say their harmonies were entirely GM is just inaccurate though. Since their teens, before they knew GM, they were perfecting their harmonies and were highly in sync musically. I never heard one source stating that GM helped in songwriting and its well known the beatles composed themselves.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 The Beatles music was co-oped. Their approach to music was very similar to the process of film making, that's why is so hard to really give credit to any one contributor. For example the song Mitchell was heavily influenced my George Martin. In fact, the guitar solo that you hear on the record was composed and played by Mr. Martin. That's alittle more than being a background influence. Although there is no credit given to Mr. Martin. Why? All of the orchestrians (cont.)
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick "For example the song Mitchell was heavily influenced my George Martin. In fact, the guitar solo that you hear on the record was composed and played by Mr. Martin." MAKES NO SENSE. Explain that when you haven't been drinking and we'll talk. As far as the background orchestral music, Martin used the compositional structures that John and Paul wrote to produce them. Not really that prodigious. What IS prodigious is to compose those melodies. Only the Beatles THEMSELVES did that.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 Calm down johnwensir. It is a fact that Martin wrote and played the guitar solo etc; on "Mitchell". I know that cus I heard Martin say it himself in a documentary. Now of course he could have been lying, but he doesn't seem like the lying type. Anyway, why are you being so defensive of Pauly. You related or something? He your cousin? And for info I'm not consuming alcohol. I've switched to glue. : )
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 (cont.) that you hear on their albums were written by Mr. Martin, but again why? when that is certainly a major part of what you hear. Another example is the violin work on Elenore Rigby. That was a major part of that song, right? which Martin did, and yet no creditation. again why? Because if you were to see ALL the outside influences on their music, it would diminish the stature of their product. The Beatles. Not there's anything wrong with that , in fact it worked.
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick Despite what you might have heard, Paul Mccartney is melodic GENIUS. I mean he wrote "Hey Jude" COME ON!. I'll admit his stint with the Beatles was the peak of his creativity but longevity is irrelevant. The consensus among most beatle-storians is that the early songs were highly co-operative but as they progressed, whoever was singing on the song GENERALLY wrote the song (Ringo is the obvious exception). Nobody helped them write: Paul wrote "Blackbird" and John wrote "Girl". Period.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 McCartney's a melodic genius? HA HA HA HA HA are you out of your mind? ha ha ha ha Paul McCartney's musical palette is one total musical cliche (?). What specific song that he wrote in your view is the work of a genius? "Why don't we do it in the road"? ha ha ha ha I'll wait for an answer.................
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick I shouldn't even respond to your view on Paul McCartney's music but his record speaks for itself. The global consensus for the last half century has been that his music is some of the most influential of all of modern history. If you can't listen to his library from 1960 to present and realize his genius, then I would conclude that you lack all ability to acknowledge art.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 You know something johnowensir? your right. I just went and listened to some of my rock and roll/ drug addict roomates cd selections of Beatle music. And your right. Paul McCartney had talent. No doubt about it . He had talent. So I'm gonna do you a big favor and rewrite my list of of the greatest song writers of pot-head / drug rock/ easy listening rock musak. Alright? Here goes johnowensir. #1. Liberace #2. Wayne Newton #3. Paul McCartney #4. Don Ho #5. Barry Manilow
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 cont. I know this will controversial to some people, but I stand by my humble opinion that Paul McCartney wrote some of the cutest "jingles" / songs in the later half of the 20th century. By the way I didn't make it all the way thru high school. My teacher expelled me from school for being a complete annoying asshole. GO FIGURE?
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick tell me if wayne could write "Hey Jude", "Let it Be" or "Here, There and Everywhere" and I'll consider your opinion. Until then you suck at life.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 Actually, I find "Hey Jude" to be kinda mediocre . In fact "Hey Jude" and "Let it Be" are the same song with different words and a slight change in it's timing. Check it out, play the two songs right after one another and you can hear the similarity. Although I will say that "And I love Her" is a beautiful song. Probably the best one he wrote. "Long and Winding Road" is also a beautiful, well written, piece of music. But "Why don't we do it in the Road"? I'd be embarressed
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 to have to have written such "shlaush". By the way, lay off Wayne Newton he's got connections with "The Mob", and I don't think he's appreciate your insults. Danka Shane...........
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 another band that should be mentioned in that list of "great rock/pop" (in your opinion) song writers is STEELY DAN. In my opinion, no one, not even The Beach Boys or The Beatles had the sophistication and musical brilliance that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (aka Steely Dan) have. Their album "Aja" stands alone as a high water mark for intellectual rock. The Beach Boys and Beatles were creative, but did not have the matureity of The Dan.
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick different style. beach boys and beatles were innovators, steely dan weren't
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 be specific (with the Beatles), what exactly would you say is a musical invention that can be directly rooted to The Beatles? The Beach Boys were obviously the first "self contained" rock band that both wrote and produced their music. Steely Dan were the first rock band that successfully fused rock and jazz. Many of their contributors on their albums (Steve Gadd, Wayne Shorter, Larry Carlton, Chuck Rainey etc;) are universally respected solo and studio jazz musicians. cont.
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 cont. I think if you ask anyone in "The Bizz" they'll agree Donald Fagen is one of the most brilliant and creative jazz/rock musicians of the last 40 years. So what specific musical innovation is it that your refering to with The Beatles? seriously, cus I can't think of any.
spactick 10 months ago
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johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@spactick how about taking what the architects of rock (elvis, chuck berry) did with popular music and propel it into new, experimental types of music that opened the door for progressive rock of ALL kinds. Nobody did what they did before their inception. NOBODY. Ask anybody in the "bizz" The beatles took songwriting to new heights with experimenting with production, musical arrangements, instrumental diversity, etc. From 1960-1970, rock began its flourishing with four lads from Liverpool.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 I guess what I'm tryin to say johnowens is that the Beatles approach to music making was very "democratic". People like Eric Clapton, Billy Preston etc; etc; all made significant contibutions to the production of their music. For lack of a better word? I would describe their music making process as " Music by Committee". And there's nothing wrong with that. But when it came to the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson was song writer and producer. All in one.
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick To sum up your absurd presumption on Lennon/McCartney's legacy, each of those men wrote some of the best songs EVER either together or separate within the Beatles-era credit. Like I said before, there is no conclusive evidence available to say that anybody other than themselves had contributed to their compositions. Musicians contributed to the RECORDINGS (clapton, preston, martin, hopkins, etc) but nobody helped write. Only Lennon and McCartney wrote their songs from 1960-1970.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 Look johnowensir, obviously your in love. You are sooooooooo smitten. And I apology for attacking your love interest. Can I ask you a question? are you a male/ female? and what age group are you? How many pictures of " little Pauly" do you have in your wallet or purse? come on, you can tell the ol' spactick dude. Come on......... by the way I'm waiting for your response on my request of the singular "genius" song.
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 absurd presumption? whoa, what big words? ha ha
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick bee gees SUCK. The world consensus is Paul Mccartney is a genius. If you don't abide by that, then you either refuse to except reality or truly think he sucks. Either way, I don't take anything you say seriously.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@spactick btw, if you think "absurd presumption" are big words, then I think you might want to graduate from high school before you get youtube privileges.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@spactick I agree on the principle of "Music by Committee". Miles Davis is another famous example of that, even if his personnality was different, he knew how to gather musicians to produce something different.
oliverecords 10 months ago
@oliverecords Thanks, not to take anything away from the writers in that group. Lennon/McCartney/Harrison, they were no doubt very innovative talents. But to elevate their musical stature to "Genius"? I don't think so. To me a genius is someone who works alone by his or her self and produces the work. The Beatles (on the other hand) produced their music by communal effort. In every interview I've heard they've expressed the fact that each song was produced under multilple contributors.
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 cont. were relatively successful before Martin, but after him? became a global phenomena.And after they left Marin? oh boy. ha ha ha " Wings" doesn't exacty get me excited. Does it you johnowensir? Anyway, getting back to the list? Your right, those are different catagories, but you didn't specifically state the catagories that the list entailed. OK then, lets see? #1. Chuck Berry, for the simple reason he pritty much created Rock and Roll #2. Bob Dylan, for (cont.)
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 cont. basically/ utterly destroying the 3 minute pop song that had existed since the beginning of recorded sound. I mean he totally blew it up. Dylan did to pop music what Beethoven did to Classical music with his 3rd Symphony. Totally tranformed (and) recreated it. #3. Brian Wilson, because he made teenage/ rock groups take their music seriously. "In My Room" is a great composition. Totally unexpected from a Surf Music Group. He made rock music art. It's that simple.
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 cont. #4. John Lennon, because he was the leader of the most successful rock band of all time. And a host of other things. #5. Hank Williams, because without Hank I believe there would never have been Berry or Elvis or any of the others that followed. So there you have it. At least that's my list. I'm exhausted. :)
spactick 10 months ago
@spactick I put Lennon/Mccartney together because as a pair, whether writing together or just credited together, wrote the most innovative songwriters of the 20th century. When went separate ways, they never wrote like that again. That's why I don't agree to put Lennon, or even Mccartney, by himself. As far as Hank, Berry or Elvis, they weren't the greatest songwriters of the 20th. They were the first to ESTABLISH rock but they didn't unlock it like the Beatles. They set the precedent.
johnowensjr1234 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 hey there johnowensir, how ya doin? still tryin to find that masterpiece of a song? ha ha ha anyway, listen, I've got another example of the influence of Senior Martin. THE BEE GEES. Before they met Senior Martin the were the bee gees (you get it?). Kind of a middle of the road/ so so pop group that had a couplea decent hits, but nothing that compared with what they produced once they hooked up with good ol' Georgey. ha ha ha ha still waiting?
spactick 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234
sadly you forgot one group:
what about BeeGees? :o)
cheers Ray
Rsoul71 10 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 I agree that Neil Young shouldn't be there...but perhaps Neil Finn, definitely Barry Gibb...and (despite how cheesy they are) ABBA should definitely be there
adampower1973 9 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 yes lennon number 1; but neil young ahead of bowie, bono, waters/gilmour, page/plant, knophler?
SuperBingo96 9 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 Oops! I think you accidentally put the #2 next to Brian instead of the Beatles ;)
moonscore 5 months ago 2
@johnowensjr1234 jim morrison man, and let's not forget jagger/richards
ClasicRko 4 months ago
@johnowensjr1234 No Jim Morrison?
Motohead37 4 months ago
@Motohead37 Jim was unique and a great poet but i wouldn't consider him a songwriter. I dont know if he actually wrote any music for the doors, just the lyrics.
authorityblues 3 months ago
Brian is the greatest American Song writer/Producer/vocal arranger ever. When you think he did all the stuff by himself and just plugged the beach boys wonderful voices in. ...WOW. His talent stands above any other single music artist. Only the Beatles are bigger, But that was 2 geniuses plus another damn good song writer, plus George Martian.
harwicke 2 years ago 4
@harwicke Exactly, my point harwicke. Please explain that to johnowens. The Beatles were a group effort. A communal form of music writing. They had anywhere from 4 - 10 people working on their songs/jingles. The Beach Boys were Brian Wilson period. Thank you for making my point.
spactick 10 months ago
why does this version sound so different then the one on the cd i have,is it your own mix ?
evelskunny 2 years ago
It's an alternate mix that can be found on the Endless Harmony Soundtrack compilation album.
Inacatsuit 2 years ago 2
amazing fucking talent right there,,he is the fucking beach boys like ronnie van Zant is to
lynyard skynyard!
evelskunny 2 years ago
Music doesn't get more profound than this ! ever !
BenCachartMedia 2 years ago 4
I've always felt that in the music industry he was & is a genius. The reality is that he seems to have always had trouble in many other aspects of his life. Sounds like a common thread for most of us. We thrive in some aspects of life and fail miserably in others. Sure glad he soared and still soars musically. He always wrote, and still writes, right from the depths of his heart. His music has taken me to places that no other writer has ever done hands down.
2007BeachBoy 2 years ago 6
This piece is very much appreciated, ilsy74.
Thank you for posting it for us.
Regards,
Jim
CrumpledPaper101 2 years ago
1:24 that last little comment by Brucie has to be the understatement of the freaking century!!! lol
famousashtray 2 years ago 3
this guys father was a real bastard to him. no support and they all used him. it is a shame.
fcgal55 2 years ago 3
When I see these video's of these terrible times in Brian's life, you just want to give him a big hug and tell him everythings going to be all right. It's such a shame that he did that to himself. So glad he survived to perform all these years later. Hope he's here for many years to come.
2007BeachBoy 2 years ago 7
Yes, I guess Brian did it to himself, but he definitely had some help getting there. IF that horrible time had never happened, just think of what might have been. Believe me though, that takes nothing away from his actual accomplishments then and now. This man is a genius!
CrumpledPaper101 2 years ago 4
Thanks for the reply. Well said. Nobody ever wrote, produced, & recorded as well as he did.
2007BeachBoy 2 years ago 2
"I don't think I am a genius. I believe the word genius applies only to people who can do things that other people can't do. I can't do things others can't. I wasn't a genius in high school, and I'm not now."
..................................Brian Wilson
thebirdman47 2 years ago 2
A classic landmark Brian Wilson song. What's even better, Brian is not afraid to perform it these days, either, on stage. The various film / video footage of Brian in this posting is awesome - a collector's gem !!
colindominy 2 years ago
Thank you for your appreciation!
ilsy74 2 years ago
One of the most haunting codas ever realized. Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Also, Bruce Johnston is probably the best interviewee in all of the published video documentation of the Beach Boys' career, period. Insightful, smart, an insider but detached enough to give real insight. Unfortunately, I've heard tell he is a total jerk.
SnuffyWuffles 2 years ago 3
With Brian you either get it or you don't. I get it and my life is so much the better for it. God bless you Brian.
crimsonrush 3 years ago 25
@crimsonrush totally agree, when I 'got' petsounds my life was the better for it.......some people listen to early beach boys songs and think they are so funny or dumb but for me especially say on a track like 'when I grow up' it's just pure melodic genius....thank you brian wilson
laurensbible 1 year ago
Awesome! God bless you Brian, you're the best.
BeachBoysRarities 3 years ago 8
This has been flagged as spam show
Un soir j'ai vu un esprit. Il m'a dit " tu vas mourir " et il a disparu. Maintenant que vous avez lu ça vous allez mourir dans 3 jours exactement sauf si vous mettez ça sur 50 videos, c'est pas de moi.
Caro0675 3 years ago
A most gratious man - he dedicates his music to his brothers - he is a great poet, a survivor, and as much a sweet genius & inspiration as Mozart - love ya Bri and everyone else - enjoy the lasting phenomenon!!
caithnesscath 3 years ago 19
At :57 Brian is sitting there, and it's as if the 10,000's of people in the audience are not there. Brian's troubles affected us all, because of how much he gave us, and because of how much we want him to be ok. His comeback in the 2000's has been heartwarming.
sargeanthulka 3 years ago 3
A remarkable comeback. He is an inspiration to everyone!
ilsy74 3 years ago
he never left,just had so many arsholes around him,they used him!
regentv980 3 years ago
Indeed. Thanks so much for the posts, this one makes me cry.
larsonns7709 2 years ago 3
i agree sargeanthulka, you put it very well... his problems afected us because of how much he gave us... and we want him to be ok... VERY well said... we want him well because he has been in our homes and we took him on vacations and in the car and on the radio and TV... his music is a part of all of us now... our memories, hopes, dreams... very heartwarming indeed that he has overcome his personal demons of the flesh and the mind and im very impressed by SMILE! Brian Wilson is amazing.
stumptacular 3 years ago 6
couldn't have said it better myself. brian is a very modest and gracious man. a genius, a kind man. and yes, we hurt when he fell and we were happy when he re-appeared and started touring again. his pain is ours. we love him, i suppose for the brilliant music he's given us, but after all these years, we also feel for him, we want him to be well and happy. so sad that his 2 brothers have now gone and he's the only one left. i'm 39 and got into pet sounds when i was 16 - it still resonates..
braybeatles 3 years ago 9
0:39 - Brians' eyes look chilling. Poor guy.
Yaggsionhimen 3 years ago
es un genio es mi idolo el mas grande musico de la historia
chivassiul 3 years ago
The MAN LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jimet409 3 years ago
Ethereal beauty, Thanks!
craigz06 3 years ago
where did he learn about music? school or self taught or what?
Alfrunk 3 years ago
From what I know, having read David Marks's biography, and he is the most neutral apolitical member of the group, Brian would take his 4 freshman records and sit there playing bit by bit over and over, whilst teaching himself the piano and vocal part. Now that's pure genius. He would only have been a teenager.
ilsy74 3 years ago
What Brian Wilson knows cannot be taught in schools. When he was born, God reached down and gave us a brilliant musician, easily on par with Mozart or any of the great masters. What is most blessed is that he is still with us. Buy and listen to "Lucky Old Sun." He still has it. More mature, more introspective. "At 25 I turned out the lights because I couldn't stand the glare in my tired eyes; but now I'm back...."
cobrajetter 3 years ago 3
I dunno if I'd put him up with Mozart...
Alfrunk 3 years ago
Brian sat in his room listening to The Four Freshman albums by the hour figuring out the harmonies note for note with his one good ear all through is adolesense.
TomBirbeck 3 years ago 2
He just figured everything out by himself
bk5612 3 years ago 4
Lovely tribute to a giant with so much musical talent. I wish Dennis was still around to see his amazing resurgance over the last 20 years.
gildy10 3 years ago 2
you got this from Endless Harmony! Love it!
ALK95 3 years ago
Brian Wilson is MY magic man, for sure! Thanks for this vid.
bwsmyhero 3 years ago 3
Haunting song. Thanks for the video collage of Brian.
{Click BB45s for rare Beach Boys video palylist}
BB45s 3 years ago 2
es el mas grande genio de la musica popular
Brian Wilson es lo Maximo
chivassiul 3 years ago 4
great footage - Im wondering can i use it in one of my videos? ? ? ? ? ?? ?
hughie521324 3 years ago 2
Sure go ahead!
ilsy74 3 years ago
thanks!!!
hughie521324 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this beautiful song and footage that is new to me!
suparni 3 years ago 2