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.
I Know There's an Answer
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones
Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
They come on like they're peaceful
But inside they're so uptightThey trip through their day
And waste all their thoughts at night
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
The lyrics to Brian Wilson’s “I Know There’s an Answer” explore the idea of self-discovery and the challenge of trying to help others find their way. Wilson acknowledges that many people believe they can go through life on their own, but he understands that there is often a need for guidance and support. He shows empathy and compassion for those who might be struggling to find their path, but he also knows that each person must ultimately find the answers for themselves.
Despite the upbeat and cheerful sound of the music, the lyrics reveal a poignant and introspective message. Wilson recognizes that it can be difficult to persuade someone to change their ways, especially when they are entrenched in their own beliefs and ways of living. He admits that he too must find his own answers and learn to trust his own instincts. Ultimately, the song is about the human struggle for understanding and meaning, and the desire to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Overall, “I Know There’s an Answer” is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the universal search for purpose and fulfillment. It reminds us of the importance of seeking out the answers to life’s most difficult questions, but also of the value of compassion and empathy towards others who may be struggling to find their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
I have observed that a lot of people believe they can handle their problems independently
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones
These people isolate themselves from the world in their comfort zones where they feel safe
Now what can you tell them
What can you possibly say to such people?
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
How can you approach them without making them feel attacked or judged?
I know there's an answer
I am convinced that there is a solution to their problems
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Even though I am aware of a solution, I have to find it on my own
They come on like they're peaceful
These people pretend to be calm and collected
But inside they're so uptight
However, deep down they are nervous and anxious
They trip through their day
They go through their day without any real direction or purpose
And waste all their thoughts at night
At night, they are unable to shut off their thoughts and worry about everything
Now how can I come on
How can I approach these people?
And tell them the way that they live could be better
How can I suggest that their current way of living is not beneficial for them?
I know there's an answer
I am sure that there is a solution
I know now but I have to find it by myself
However, I have to find that solution by myself
Now how can I come on
How can I approach these people without making them defensive?
And tell them the way that they live could be better
How can I suggest to them that their current lifestyle is not healthy and they should make changes?
I know there's an answer
I am positive that a solution exists
I know now but I have to find it by myself
But I am the one who has to search and find that solution
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TERRY SACHEN, MICHAEL LOVE, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind