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.
Stay Awake
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don't close your eyes
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
The song "Stay Awake" by Brian Wilson speaks of the importance of staying alert and vigilant in a world that often lulls us into a false sense of security. The lyrics encourage listeners to remain conscious and aware, even when the world around us appears to be asleep. Wilson urges us to resist the temptation to let our guard down, instead exhorting us to stay awake and alert.
The lyrics use the metaphor of sleep to represent a lack of awareness and vigilance. The moon drifting in the sky is a symbol of the passage of time and the potential for danger to arise when we least expect it. The soft and deep pillow represents the temptation to relax and let our guard down, but the song highlights the importance of resisting that temptation and staying alert. The repetition of "Stay awake, don't nod and dream" serves as a powerful reminder to remain mindful and present in our daily lives.
Overall, "Stay Awake" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to stay attentive and alert in a world that can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay awake, don't rest your head
Don't give up on your goals and aspirations, keep your mind alert to opportunities.
Don't lie down upon your bed
Avoid becoming too comfortable in your current situation, keep striving for progress.
While the moon drifts in the skies
Even though the world seems quiet and peaceful, be aware of the challenges that await.
Stay awake, don't close your eyes
Stay vigilant and aware of the world around you, don't let your guard down.
Though the world is fast asleep
Although others may not see the potential or the opportunities, keep believing in yourself and your vision.
Though your pillow's soft and deep
Don't allow yourself to become too comfortable or complacent in your current situation.
You're not sleepy as you seem
You have the potential and the drive to achieve great things, so don't let others underestimate you.
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Keep working towards your goals, don't get lost in idle daydreams or distractions.
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Repeat of previous line.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jjaniero
In his book Brian says he considers this the best vocals he's ever done
Tay AlCu
*in his solo career. Reading it now.
howard lewis
beautiful voice
John Morgan
Well if there's anybody who should know a turd when he see's one it would have to be Mike Love.
A Darlene
I Know Them Long Time Friends Mine