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.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold,
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
From heavens all gracious King!"
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world,
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing,
Oh rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophets seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold,
When the new heaven and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace, their King,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing
The song "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is a Christmas carol written by Edmund H. Sears in 1849. It was initially sung to music composed by Richard Storrs Willis, but over time, it has been adapted into various musical arrangements. The song speaks about an angelic choir singing to bring peace and goodwill to all men on earth. The opening verse describes the scene of the angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold, creating a glorious song of peace that echoes across the world, stilling it in solemn stillness.
The second verse speaks of the continued presence of the angels still singing through the cloven skies, sending their heavenly music over the world's weary inhabitants, bringing comfort and joy. The third and final verse is an exhortation to those going through life's crushing loads, and to those experiencing pain, struggle and hardship. The lyrics remind them that amidst all the difficulties, there are golden hours of hope and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. The final verse ends on a note of prophetic hope, with the promise of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, reigning over a new heaven and earth, and the world singing with the angels.
Overall, the song "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is a beautiful reflection on the Christmas story of the angels who announced the birth of Jesus. It celebrates the promise of peace, hope, and salvation that the coming of Jesus brings to the world. The song speaks to the longing and weariness of our human hearts and calls us to take comfort in the assurance of God’s powerful presence and care.
Line by Line Meaning
It came upon the midnight clear,
The glorious song of old arrived in the stillness of the night.
That glorious song of old,
Referring to the news of Jesus Christ's birth, the Savior of man.
From angels bending near the earth,
Heavenly beings descending from above, reaching out to touch mankind.
To touch their harps of gold,
With their instruments, they create enchanting music.
"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men
They proclaim the message of peace and goodwill from the Lord."
From heavens all gracious King!"
As the Creator of all things, He shows His grace and love to mankind.
The world in solemn stillness lay
All of the earth was hushed, waiting for the angel's message.
To hear the angels sing.
To listen to the message that the angels were sharing with mankind.
Still through the cloven skies they come,
The angels are still coming down from heaven to deliver messages.
With peaceful wings unfurled,
Their presence is peaceful and calming to those below.
And still their heavenly music floats
They continue to have a message of peace and love through the music they create.
O'er all the weary world,
Their message of peace and love is spread throughout the entire world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
Their message is not just for the wealthy and powerful but for all humankind, especially those in need.
They bend on hovering wing,
The angels fly with ease, hovering over those below to share their message of hope.
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
Even with the noisy and chaotic sounds of the world, their message still rings clear.
The blessed angels sing.
They sing praises to God above and share His message of peace and love with all humankind.
O ye beneath life's crushing load,
If you are burdened with life's struggles and difficulties,
Whose forms are bending low,
If your physical and emotional wellbeing are struggling,
Who toil along the climbing way
If you struggle while trying to make progress in life,
With painful steps and slow,
If you are walking through life, struggling with pain and obstacles,
Look now, for glad and golden hours
Be hopeful because joyous and happy times are coming soon,
Come swiftly on the wing,
All the blessings are coming quickly to help you.
Oh rest beside the weary road
Take a moment and rest to gain the strength to continue your journey.
And hear the angels sing.
Listen to the message of the angels of hope and comfort, and let their music lift your spirits.
For lo! the days are hastening on,
The second coming of Jesus Christ is coming soon,
By prophets seen of old,
As foretold by ancient prophets,
When with the ever-circling years
At the end of this dispensation and the beginning of the next,
Shall come the time foretold,
The prophecy of the birth of Christ comes to pass.
When the new heaven and earth shall own
At that time, a new heaven and earth are established and known,
The Prince of Peace, their King,
Jesus Christ is crowned as the King of Peace.
And the whole world send back the song
The entire world joins in this angelic song of praise and hope,
Which now the angels sing
Which is the same song the angels have been singing to people of good will.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEE EVANS, TRADITIONAL, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind