The first official release credited to Wilson as a solo artist was the 1966 Beach Boys single "Caroline, No" (b/w "Summer Means New Love"), due to being the single's arranger and sole vocal presence. Around the same time, Wilson also produced cuts for other artists such as The Beach Boys' spear counterpart The Honeys (member Marilyn Rovell was Wilson's first wife), and Jan & Dean, whose "Surf City" became a #1 hit single. The 1977 album Love You and the unreleased Adult/Child (recorded during the same sessions) were tentatively considered for release as Brian Wilson solo albums, although the idea fell through. Love You would be last Beach Boys albums to feature Wilson's extended involvement for the better part of 35 years.
Brian's solo career, despite a few false starts, began in earnest with the 1987 single "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car" (b/w "Too Much Sugar"), featured in the film Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol. A year later, his debut solo album, the eponymous Brian Wilson, was released, at the time hailed as a 1980s equivalent of what is widely regarded as Wilson's magnum opus, 1966's Pet Sounds. A follow-up in much the same vein, Sweet Insanity, was scrapped due to various personal issues.
Also left on the shelf was a fruitful collaborative project with multi-instrumentalist Andy Paley, informally known as "The Paley Sessions". Over the years, a few tracks were released through various albums, but dozens more have been bootlegged, and a comprehensive release has yet to be assembled.
Instead, 1995 saw the release of two albums: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times, a collection of re-recordings seemingly meant to reintroduce him to the public, and Orange Crate Art, a song cycle written by one-time lyricist Van Dyke Parks with contributions by Wilson, were released. An album of new compositions entitled Imagination followed in 1998.
Wilson began performing live again in 1999, and with his confidence as a performer growing ever stronger, he chose to release a live album documenting the Imagination tour (Live at the Roxy Theatre). In 2002, he began incorporating Pet Sounds in its entirety into his live performances; this, too, was documented in a live album titled Pet Sounds Live.
In 2004, Wilson revived and completed SMiLE, his unfinished 1967 album, performing the work in its entirety on a celebrated tour. The positive response lead him to record a studio version which met similar acclaim; the album cut "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental. That same year, he released Gettin' in Over My Head (containing many songs originating with the ill-fated Sweet Insanity album), featuring guest musicians Elton John, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and brother Carl, who passed away in 1998. Brian's song "Lay Down Burden" was written in tribute of his brother.
Brian released a collection of Christmas songs entitled What I Really Want For Christmas in 2005. His 2008 album, That Lucky Old Sun, marked his return to Capitol Records. As part of a two-album deal with Disney, Wilson released Reimagines Gershwin (2010), a tribute to his idol George Gershwin, and In the Key of Disney (2011), a collection of cover songs from various Disney films.
2012 saw the The Beach Boys celebrate their 50th anniversary, reuniting a majority of surviving band members including Brian, for a worldwide tour as well as the release of an album, That's Why God Made the Radio, composed almost entirely by Wilson with an assortment of co-writers. The album became the group's biggest chart success in decades, peaking at #3 on the Billboard album charts. Status quo was restored as the group members went their separate ways again after the conclusion of the tour.
In 2015, Wilson released his eleventh studio album, No Pier Pressure. Originally conceived as a follow-up to That's Why God Made the Radio before The Beach Boys reunion fell through, the album features guest appearances by contemporary artists such as Kacey Musgraves, She & Him, and Nate Ruess (of fun.), as well as former Beach Boys Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, and David Marks. Summer 2015 will also see the public release of Wilson's autobiographical motion picture Love and Mercy (named after Wilson's 1988 comeback single), with actors Paul Dano and John Cusack starring as a younger and older Wilson.
Deck The Halls
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
The lyrics to Brian Wilson's "Deck the Halls" celebrates the holiday season with lively and festive imagery to create a wondrous spirit of celebration. The song immediately begins by describing preparation for the festive season through the decoration of halls with boughs of holly. The chorus brings in a sense of merriment and joy, inviting listeners to join in the celebration of the season. The second verse asks people to don their best clothes, set the tone for the celebration and spread good cheer by singing the traditional Yule tide carols.
In the third verse, the lyrics ask listeners to light up the room with Yule logs and string lights so that everyone can be a part of the celebration. The harp is played adding musical notes and melody. The fourth verse brings everyone together in a common measure to enjoy tales that come with Yule tide treasures. The fifth verse refers to the fast passing year, indicating the end of another year, and giving a hint of new beginnings. The last verse brings the song together, singing in unison, and spreading the joy/cheer, singing heedless of the weather as nothing can dampen the spirit of the season.
Line by Line Meaning
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Let's decorate the halls with holly branches and get into a festive spirit!
Tis the season to be jolly,
The holiday season is here and it's time to be happy and joyful.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Let's put on our festive clothing and get ready to celebrate.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Let's sing traditional songs of the Yuletide season.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Look at the bright and warm Yule fire in front of us.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Let's play the harp and sing along with everyone else.
Follow me in merry measure,
Join me in a cheerful and rhythmic dance.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
I will tell you about the wonderful gifts, traditions, and memories of the Yuletide season.
Fast away the old year passes,
The old year is quickly coming to an end.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Let's celebrate the start of a new year, my friends!
Sing we joyous, all together,
Let's sing happily and altogether in a group.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
We will sing and be merry regardless of the conditions outside.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Thomas Oliphant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind