Cabin Essence Blog

Even although the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson had a number of “sad” songs, there are very few songs that could be described as totally dark. Warmth Of The Sun finds solace in beauty and even ‘Til I Die has an incredible beauty which seems to be uplifting, despite the theme of the song. To find something completely melancholy, you have to head for the unreleased 1977 album Adult Child and particularly this song, which was eventually released on the Good Vibrations box set.

It is beautiful of couse, but Carl manages an anguished vocal, and Marilyn Wilson/Rovell even has a short vocal part, ironically just a short while before her split with Brian. And the lyric is unremittingly sad- when Carl sings “Heaven is far away, angels no longer play”, you know things are really sad.

Of course it is brilliant- and to think that Brian’s songs of this quality waited more than 15 years to get released officially. 

Hidden at the back end of the Today! album before it turns to farce on the Bull Daddy track is this song, which may well have raised as many eyebrows as the comedy filler. Here, one of the most succesful musicians in the world, and recently married and supposedly content man is writing about his deepest insecurities. There is an orchestral track that seems to have nothing to do with the “good time music” that the group has previously covered, and an aching vocal by Dennis Wilson, the supposed manly surfer of the group. This isn’t even a “you left me and I want to cry” aching ballad, but a deeply realisitc view on the nature of love.

Some people dismiss the track as a dull ballad with a poor vocal, but for me, this is a pivotal and incredible track. It points towards the heart of Pet Sounds both musically and lyrically- the need for acceptance and security, and the sophisticated backing track. The song was also released after Brian’s first breakdown, and it seems that part of the breakdown was Brian reflecting on his marriage and being away from his wife. So both in it’s historical context, but also as a strong song in its own right, this is clearly one of Brian’s greatest treasures that is largely unknown to the public.

The two previous posts have dealt with the 67-71 era, and we stay there with this track from the 20/20 album that typifies the motif of achieving a sense of peace and escape through the beauty of nature around. The lyric is simplistic and effective, but the music invokes a real sense of relaxation through the harmonies and musical arrangement. It is one of those tracks that can just breeze by if you are listening casually, but if you listen carefully, you are captured by the genius in the songwriting and production.

The song did make it to the Good Vibrations box set, but as far as I know, hasn’t been performed live or featured on any other compilations. It is certainly one of the treasures for serious Beach Boys fans, and a haven of peace in the madness of our current world and what passes for music in this world.