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.
Sloop John B
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My grandfather and me
Around Nassau town we did roam
Drinking all night
Got into a fight
Well I feel so broke up
I want to go home
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, yeah yeah
Well I feel so broke up
I wanna go home
The first mate he got drunk
And broke in the Cap'n's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
Sheriff John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone, yeah yeah
Well I feel so broke up I wanna go home
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home
(Hoist up the John B's sail)
Hoist up the John B
I feel so broke up I wanna go home
Let me go home
And threw away all my grits
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
Let me go home
Why don't they let me go home
This is the worst trip I've ever been on
So hoist up the John B's sail
See how the mainsail sets
Call for the Captain ashore
Let me go home, let me go home
I wanna go home, let me go home
Why don't you let me go home
The song Sloop John B by the Beach Boys is an adaptation of a traditional Bahamian folk song which tells a story of a boat trip gone wrong. The singer, who is probably also the singer, starts by saying that he and his grandfather came on board the titular sloop John B to sail around Nassau town. However, they ended up getting drunk, getting into a fight, and feeling very uneasy. The singer then insists that he wants to go home and asks the captain to hoist the sail and let him go ashore.
The next verse further illustrates how things are falling apart on the ship: the first mate gets drunk and breaks into the captain's trunk, which results in him being taken away by the authorities. The singer addresses Sheriff John Stone, asking him to leave him alone and let him go back home. The third verse adds even more chaos to the situation as the cook catches the fits and throws away the singer's grits, eating up all of his corn as well. The singer concludes by repeating his desire to go home and asking for permission to leave.
The song is a classic example of a story song, with a clear narrative and a distinct structure. The overall tone is that of despair, as the singer is stuck in a situation that he cannot control and is desperate to escape. Despite the upbeat sound of the music, the lyrics are heavy on longing and dissatisfaction, making it a timeless song that resonates with audiences even today.
Line by Line Meaning
We come on the sloop John B
My grandfather and I came aboard the ship named sloop John B
Around Nassau town we did roam
We wandered around Nassau town
Drinking all night
We drank alcohol during the entire night
Got into a fight
We ended up in a physical altercation
Well I feel so broke up
I feel emotionally shattered and overwhelmed
I want to go home
I wish to leave this place and return to my home
So hoist up the John B's sail
Raise the sail of the ship named sloop John B
See how the mainsail sets
Watch how the chief sail of the ship is positioned
Call for the Captain ashore
Summon the captain of the ship to come on land
Let me go home, let me go home
I want to be allowed to leave and return home
I wanna go home, yeah yeah
I desire to go back to my home
The first mate he got drunk
The subordinate officer got intoxicated
And broke in the Cap'n's trunk
He forcibly opened the captain's trunk
The constable had to come and take him away
The police officer had to take the intoxicated officer into custody
Sheriff John Stone
The sheriff's name is John Stone
Why don't you leave me alone, yeah yeah
Stop bothering me unnecessarily
Well I feel so broke up I wanna go home
I feel emotionally disturbed and want to leave this place
The poor cook he caught the fits
The chef became ill
And threw away all my grits
He disposed of all the grits that belonged to me
And then he took and he ate up all of my corn
He proceeded to consume all my corn
Why don't they let me go home
Why aren't they allowing me to leave and return home
This is the worst trip I've ever been on
This is, by far, the most unpleasant trip I have ever had
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@steveskouson9620
Almost 65. I STILL tear up watching Brian.
Alan and Matt, almost as bad. The ones
that get me, Carl Dean, and Dennis Carl!
I MISS those Beach Boys!
Saw the Brian Wilson Band, last June.
I must have soaked quite a few kleenex.
The later band, even worse. Chicago!
It was almost a "Beachago" concert,
but Mikey would sue me for saying
that. Wishing you were here, was
played. Carl, Dennis, and Alan.
For that show, Alan, Matt, and a
host of others. More Kleenex.
Here is a vid of the old Beachago
concert. Sorry, Mikey is in it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlVD_m5KXjw&ab_channel=TerryKathSpotlight
So is Terry Kath! Miss Terry as much
as the two deceased Beach Boys!
steve
@garryjoseph1804
At age 69, my life is nearly over due to stage 4 cancer. I can sum up this life of mine pretty succinctly-
This is THE best trip I’ve ever been on, thanks in large part to the genius of Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and the rest of The Beach Boys. Thanks, guys. You made it such a joy. God bless you all.
@marshmccarthy
That is sad to hear, but I’m glad you’ve had a good life and I hope you have a peaceful exit from this world
@RBB1965
You are in my prayers my friend.
@getrektm87yearsago29
God bless you Garry. Keep being a light in this world and enjoy all the beauty The Beach Boys have to offer while you stick with us :)
@kelseymariel2127
Wishing you much peace and comfort on your journey.
@JustSad66
You live a life well..you can never complain.. I’m trying to find my exit music..so much to choose from. ...
@ladylore8771
Made me cry it's so good.
@thaifold
Me too.
@gregmackenzie5822
Tell you guys an amazing SJB story , my sister and I went to a Beach Boys concert in 1965 in Vancouver , our fave song was SJB , in 2018 she passer away , as I was taking some of her stuff to her friends in Vancouver after her passing , I had the radio on , around 1630 driving up Marine Drive , alone in the car , I asked her to play SJB , as God is my witness , seconds later it came on the radio , love you Carey , Rest in Peace .
@gpet23
Amazing mate, God Bless