• • • • • •
"One day I will write songs that people will pray to."
Brian Wilson to Andrew Loog Oldham
I have enjoyed The Beach Boys since the early 60's. Opening a newly released album. Hearing a new single for the first time on WLS or WCLF in Chicago. Live in concert. Summer sounds. Sunshine dream. Surf and Sand. Dunes and Driving.
But there is more. A vibe that connects to my spirit. A sound that often prompts me to pray. Songs that evoke joy or peace. Lyrics expressing angst, searching, brokenness.
Brian Wilson's catalog spans songs from 8 decades, beginning in 1955. Many are overtly autobiographical. Some are clearly spiritual. ["relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things"]
"Brian Wilson did more than write great pop music.
sublimely delicate and jaunty effusions of sweet-souled sound laced with an underlying sadness
so divine that, as Bruce Springsteen says in the movie of “Pet Sounds,”
“The beauty of it carries a sense of joyfulness even in the pain of living.
The joyfulness of an emotional life.”" Owen Gleiberman @ Variety.com
In 1966, Brian told dinner guests on an October evening “I’m writing a teenage symphony to God.” (From "Goodbye Surfing, Hello God," referring to what was to become the "SMiLE" album). This is not a religious album. And the songs I've selected for this list are not religious but they express a thought that relates to faith or a feeling that stirs my spirit.
Please note . . .
The song selections and comments reflect my personal response to Brian's music.
I am a Jesus follower, so that is my frame of reference.
I have not spoken to Brian about his original intentions nor his personal beliefs.
"Naive and profound, Beach Boys music frequently fuses a celebration of technology to a spirituality
expressed through vocal harmony and a manipulation of the recording studio itself as a music instrument.
This spiritual rendering of the mechanical world informs car songs
that venture into stranger territory than simple boasts and extends throughout their career
all the way to Brian Wilson’s recent collaboration with Janelle Monáe.
Often overlooked because it just doesn’t fit into binaries about soulfulness as opposed to mechanization,
this fusion might be the Beach Boys’ most important contribution to the popular culture conversation."
Tom Smucker
Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
...making music to the Lord in your hearts
...giving thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
To The Church in Ephesus 5:18-21
"We had prayer sessions." - Brian Wilson
"It was like going to church!" - Carl Wilson
"I never really fully took credit for all the songs that I wrote . . .
I was very humble to God and at the same time
I was really proud of my songs, but also humble to God." - Brian Wilson
I said to Carl once, ‘Let’s pray. Let’s pray for people. Let’s pray for Jesus Christ.’ Then Carl said, ‘What if we make an album after these prayer sessions, an album for people? A special album.’ - Brian Wilson
PSALMS - Prayers of Praise and Lament; expressing hope and fear, anger and joy...
The Lord's Prayer - the Jesus prayer from the Gospels; an invocation
{One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1}
"Heard in full... these lyrics can remind us that an average life contains the sacred and that great art can help us hear that. From different but not disconnected traditions, Aretha Franklin and the Beach Boys draw us towards that wisdom." Tom Smucker author, "Why The Beach Boys Matter" [More from Tom Smucker]
Jesus told the followers to pray like this:‘Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms,
may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn.
Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is in heaven.We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day.Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil.For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’ Matthew 6:9-13
- Brian also recorded several Christian hymns that declare the message of Christmas:
- Joy To The World - "let every heart prepare Him room"
- O Holy Night - was a holy moment when sung live by Blondie Chaplin; they took us to "church"
- Silent Night - "holy ('set apart') infant; Christ the Savior is born"
- We Three Kings - wise men (and women) still seek Jesus
In My Room - a personal reflection on the search for inner peace
{But whenever you pray, go into your room and be alone with God, praying to God in secret.
And your Father, who sees all you do, will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6}
There's a world where I can go; tell my secrets to
In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears
Do my dreaming and my scheming, lie awake and pray
Do my crying and my sighing, laugh at yesterday
Now it's dark and I'm alone, but I won't be afraid
Let Us Go On - a yearning plea expressed to his girlfriend, then an abruptly turned into a yearning prayer
{God! Please hurry to my rescue!
God, come quickly to my side! Psalm 70:1}
God please let us go on this way
(repeated a dozen times throughout the song))
"This song started out as a prayer..."
Mike Love introducing LTWB live at Carnegie Hall in 1972
Let The Wind Blow - a petition to the Creator God
{Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
God is Creator of all you can see or imagine ... doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And God knows everything, inside and out.
God energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles.
They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind. Isaiah 40:27-31}
Let the wind blow, let the grass grow,Let the moon glow on the fallen snow
But don't let her go; don't take her out of my life
But I just got to know, (let me please know oh oh oh)Know she'll be a part of my life, Forever
Let the bees make honey, let the poor find money
Take away their sorrows; give them sunshine tomorrow
But don't take her out of my lifeWhat would I do without her tell me nowLet the bird sing with the coming spring
Let the church bells ring; let the rain fall; let the grass growBut don't take her out of my life
Please keep her a part of my life
TIl I Die - a cry for meaning
{Lord, listen to my prayer!
Listen to my cry for help! Psalms 102:1}
I'm a cork on the ocean floating over the raging sea
How deep is the ocean?
I lost my way...I'm a rock in a landslide rolling over the mountainside
How deep is the valley?
It kills my soul...I'm a leaf on a windy day pretty soon, I'll be blown away
How long will the wind blow?These things I'll be until I die...
"This song probably best exemplifies the Christ that's in me.
The part that wants to give love to people."
Brian Wilson[5]
Love and Mercy - a story that leads the observer to become an advocate, making a plea on behalf of his his friends; a plea that could also be a prayer
{But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! Ephesians 2:4-5}
I was sittin' in a crummy movie with my hands on my chinOh the violence that occurs seems like we never win
HYMNS - Songs of Declaration and Dedication; teaching biblical truths
Add Some Music To Your Day - an ode of praise to music
{The people came together in the joyous occasion
with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps, and string instruments. Nehemiah 12:27}
MIKE LOVE: The Sunday morning gospel goes good with the soul.
There's blues, folk and country and rock like a rolling stone.
The world could come together as one if everybody under the sun
Adds some music to their day.
You'll hear it while you're walking by a neighbor's home.
You'll hear it faintly in the distance when you're on the phone.
You're sitting in a dentist's chair and they got music for you there
To add some music to your day.
GROUP: Add some music every way. Add some music.
BRUCE JOHNSTON: Your doctor knows it keeps you calm.
Your preacher adds it to his psalms, so add some music to your day.
CARL WILSON: Music, when you're alone, is like a companion for your lonely soul
BRIAN WILSON: When day is over I close my tired eyes.
AL JARDINE: Music is in my soul.
MIKE LOVE: At a movie you can feel it touching your heart.
AL JARDINE: And on every day of the summer time
You'll hear children chasing ice cream cars.
BRUCE JOHNSTON: They'll play it on your wedding day.
There must be 'bout a million ways to add some music to your day.
GROUP: Add some music to your day.
The Beach Boys...''deliver some of the most soulful, spiritual music of their time."
r wilson
That Same Song - a Gospel styled song
{Sing joyful songs to the Lord! Praise God, the mighty rock who saved us. Psalm 95:1}
Well back in time with just a rhythm and rhyme Gregorian chants were a real big thing
They took that chant and added harmony
It was a different sound but had the same meaning
The rock of ages built that rockin' sound
'Til more and more people start to come around
They worshipped in church and built that great big choir
It grew and it grew until it spread like fire
I know, I know, It took us a long while
To go and find us a rock style
I know that we can take it one more mile
Because
We're singing that same song
We're still singing that same song
We're singing that same song
That same song...Oh yeah that same song
Wake The World - a hymn for Resurrection Day
{Now the God who raised up our Lord from the grave will awaken and raise us up through his mighty power! 1 Corinthians 6:14}
One by one the stars appear
The light of the day is no longer here
Walking Down The Path of Life - a hymn of confession
{God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. Psalms 139:23}
"Last Summer I had the privilege of seeing Brian Wilson in concert at Wolftrap in Vienna, Virginia. I was enjoying it all, of course, amazed at the incredible band, the SMILE set, and Brian's more relaxed presence (a far cry from his uptight performance the first time I saw him at UCLA in October 2002). But then I heard a new song, a gospel song, called Walking Down the Path of Life, and was blown away. The song (was it complete?) segued into Love and Mercy, a beautiful match for its lyrics.
“Backstage, my friend asked Brian where the song came from. He said, "God gave it to me." Naturally. Brian released a single of it late last fall, with all the proceeds going toward Katrina relief." Walking down the path of life, I feel His presence day and night. (Outwalking)
Touch me, heal me, wash my sins away
Every night I will pray; Every day give me hope; hope and pray
Walking down the path of life, I feel His presence day and night
Touch me, heal me, wash my sins away
You Still Believe in Me - if sung as a confessional prayer to God
{If we freely admit our sins when God's light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time.
God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. You have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9; Colossians 3:13}
I know perfectly well I'm not where I should be
I've been very aware you've been patient with me
Every time we break up, you bring back your love to me
And after all I've done to you, how can it be...You still believe in me
I try hard to be more what you want me to be
But I can't help how I act when you're not here with me
I try hard to be strong, but sometimes, I fail myself
And after all I've promised you so faithfully...You still believe in me
I wanna cry
God Only Knows - a love song that refers to God in a way that could be a throw-away colloquialism or an authentic statement of faith
{Only God knows how much I dearly love you with the tender affection of Jesus, the Anointed One. Philippians 1:8}God only knows what I'd be without you...
Water, water, water, ooh...
If I die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take my misery.
"In Blue Hawaii"
Still I Dream of It - a cry for hope in love and in life
{This is the way God loved the world—God gave a gift, the one-of-a-kind Jesus. So now everyone who believes in him will not be lost but will experience everlasting life. John 3:16}
Break Away - a song expressing the joy of freedom from restraint
{At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past. Galatians 5:1}
{If Jesus sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36}{Jesus spoke: "God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free." Luke 4:18}
The love that passed me by, I found no reason why
But now each day is filled with the love
That very same love that passed me by
And that is why I can breakaway from that lonely life
And breakaway from that empty life
And my world is new
And I can breakaway to the better life
Where the shackles never hold me down
I'm going to make a way for each happy day as my life turns around
Come on we're free to breakaway
Oh boy you jump for joy when you breakaway
Breakaway
God Did It - a Sunday School sing-a-long of the Gospel Story
{God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24}
Sun rises its a brand new day, the little children run out to play
The new born day sparkles in morning dew
White cloud goes floating by
A baby robin is learning to flyA honey bees buzzin, signng his song for you
Started out just a little ball of clay
Put us here to sing his praise with every deed in every way
God did it, God did it...
Delivered Daniel from the lion's den
Crucified and rose up again on Easter morn so beautiful and true
Taught us to turn the other cheek; heal the sickness in all the meek
Said forgive them Father for know not what they do
Walked on the water at Galilee
He washed away my sins on the cross at calvary
God did it...he washed my sins away
God made Adam God made eve; had a lot lovin to receive
The greatest story ever told
It's the truth, it's the truth
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Praise the Lord tonight
When he saw what men had done he sent down his only son to Bethlehem the very first Christmas day
Made music to save my soul, rhythm and blues and rock and roll
Glad to say he washed my sins away
He washed my sins away
Washing my, washing my sins away...
SPIRITUAL SONGS - Soul-Filled Expressions
Our Prayer - a wordless soundscape that evokes a spirited response ... >>>
You're Welcome - an a cappella chant; an invitation to come into God's presence, to gather and worship
Wonderful - an allegory; a Garden-of-Eden-like narrative with elements of mystery, wonder, belief, God, freedom
{This is the story of the creation of the sky and the earth.The Lord God planted a garden in a place called Eden, and put the person he had formed into it.
The Lord God put the man in the garden of Eden to care for it and work it.God created human beings; reflecting God’s nature. God blessed them:
“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth!
Be stewards of every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.” Genesis 1}
“Smiley Smile hardly reads like a rock cantata. But there are moments in songs such as ‘With Me Tonight’ and ‘Wonderful’ that soar like sacred music. Even the songs that seem irrelevant to a rock-hymn are infused with stained-glass melodies. Wilson is a sound sculptor and his songs are all harmonious litanies to the gentle holiness of love — post-Christian, perhaps but still believing.” Richard Goldstein, Village Voice (quoted by Andrew Hickey, Episode 153)
She belongs there, left with her liberty never known as a non-believer
She laughs and stays in the Won-won-wonderful
God reached softly and moved her body
Farther down the path was a mystery...
{Don't think you're God}
She'll return, in love with her liberty
He Come Down - a gospel-styled song about JesusShe'll smile and thank God...
{"Jesus came into the world he created yet the world did not receive him. But to those who embraced him and took hold of his name he gave authority to become the children of God! John 1:10-12}
Jesus came down to save the world from sin
Sayin' 'seek ye first the kingdom within'
All of the saints through all creation
Sing the same song of revelation
I believe it (Dig deep if you know what I mean yeah)
(I believe him)
He came down down down down down down down
Yes I mean down down down down
Yes he did from the glorious kingdom
He came down
To make me care for my home
Gave me a song
To help the sound of my own
Showed me the way
To get through every day
I thank you my Lord
For sending this man home
I believe it (Down in my soul)
I believe it (Oh Lord this kingdom)
I believe it (Oh yes I believe)
I believe it (I'm talkin' about Jesus)
Selections released by other Beach Boys
- I Write The Songs (Bruce Johnston) - "I wrote it about 'where music comes from' (for me, music comes only from God). My song has nothing to do with Brian!"
- Heaven (Carl Wilson) - reference to the biblical domain of God
- Little Bird (Dennis Wilson; Stephen Kalinich) - a spiritual narrative on the joy of creation
- Be Still (Dennis Wilson; Stephen Kalinich)- a psalm-like song evoking the biblical wisdom to "be still and know that I am God."
- Meant for You (Brian Wilson; Mike Love) - a welcoming song to help focus on peace
Obviously, some of my choices are "spiritual" in a subjective sense; they inspire me. But some are inspired by Christian beliefs or biblical teachings. As a Christ-follower, they prompt me to praise with music in my soul, they stir up prayer as I am walking down the path of life, and they enthuse my passion to wake the world to a brand new morning. Yes, I believe it!
Jesus said to him, “Now is the time to follow me,"
Matthew 8:22
Phil Miglioratti
a podcast with Jeffrey Foskett, Philip Bardowell, Chuck Girard ("Little Honda") Dan Addington (early Dennis fan)
“Smiley Smile hardly reads like a rock cantata. But there are moments in songs such as ‘With Me Tonight’ and ‘Wonderful’ that soar like sacred music. Even the songs that seem irrelevant to a rock-hymn are infused with stained-glass melodies. Wilson is a sound sculptor and his songs are all harmonious litanies to the gentle holiness of love — post-Christian, perhaps but still believing.”
ReplyDeleteRichard Goldstein, Village Voice (quoted by Andrew Hickey, Episode 153)
Brian's comments on "No Pier Pressure"
ReplyDeleteThis record is about love and understanding.
It opens with a prayer, “This Beautiful Day,”
and closes with a prayer, “The Last Song.”
I start out by praying that this beautiful day,
with sunshine melodies and heavenly harmonies, lasts forever.
The final tune prays that if we hold on tight, it will all be all right —
all the anxieties eased, all the fears erased. It ends in hope.
“Thank you, God, for another day.”
(amen to that)