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.
The Last Song
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've never really felt this way before
Don't let go
There's still time for us so let's take it slow
I wish that I could give you so much more
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
Far away
And maybe we'll be coming back someday
Together in the end
To sing with you again
I've never really felt this way before
Don't be sad
There was a time and place for what we had
If there was just another chance for me to sing to you
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la la
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la la
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
The song “The Last Song” by Brian Wilson, is a ballad about holding on to love and the inevitability of time. The lyrics convey a message of love and regret, with the singer realizing that he has never felt this way before but also acknowledging that time is fleeting, and there is never enough of it to spend with the ones you love. The first verse tells the listener to hold on tight and that everything will be alright, however, it is also evident that the song's narrator knows time is short, and he wishes he could give more.
The chorus begins with a whimsical “La, la, la” melody, which is repeated throughout the song, which creates a melancholic and nostalgic feel. The chorus talks about how maybe one day we'll be coming back to where we started, and we’ll be able to sing together again. The lyrics recognize that there is still time for us, we just have to take it slow. The second verse continues with the same sentiments as the first verse with a mournful sense of longing. The singer wishes that if there were just another chance, he could sing to his love one more time. The song finishes with the repetition of the line that there's never enough time for the ones that you love.
In conclusion, Brian Wilson's "The Last Song” is a heartfelt ballad about holding onto love while acknowledging that time is short. The song speaks to the listener's emotions and reminds us of the need to cherish the ones we love while we still have time. It's a poignant reminder that life is not infinite, and time is one of our most precious commodities.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold on tight and everything will be alright
If you cling to things tightly, they are less likely to fall apart. Trust that everything will work out in the end.
I've never really felt this way before
This situation is new and exciting. I have not experienced these emotions in the past.
Don't let go
Do not release your grip on this situation. Keep holding on, no matter how tough things get.
There's still time for us so let's take it slow
We have not yet run out of time, so we should not rush. Instead, take our time and proceed carefully.
I wish that I could give you so much more
I am limited in my ability to provide for you. I want to give you more, but I cannot.
La, la, la, la, la / La, la, la / La, la, la, la
This phrase is a musical interlude and has no direct meaning in itself.
Far away
We are physically distant from each other.
And maybe we'll be coming back someday
Perhaps in the future, we will return to this place and rekindle our relationship.
Together in the end / To sing with you again
Ultimately, we will end up together again, and we will sing songs just like we used to.
Don't be sad
Do not feel unhappy or downcast. There is hope for the future.
There was a time and place for what we had
Our romantic relationship was appropriate for a season, but now that time has passed.
If there was just another chance for me to sing to you
If given another opportunity, I would take the chance to share my music with you once again.
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
We desire more time to spend with our loved ones, but it always feels like it is never enough.
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
We desire more time to spend with our loved ones, but it always feels like it is never enough.
There's never enough time for the ones that you love
We desire more time to spend with our loved ones, but it always feels like it is never enough.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSEPH THOMAS, BRIAN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Stageman
My darling husband lost his battle with cancer one month ago. We were together 47 years and in each others company for most of that time.
I wrote the following to all who knew and loved him :
"Some final words from me about my darling husband Richard.
He made it quite clear throughout his life that he hated the morbidity of funerals and that he never wanted one for himself.
I have honoured that decision (not difficult as I believe the same too) so his cremation will take place quietly with no one at all present, not even me, on Thursday 25th June.
Richard was a huge fan of Brian Wilson of the Beachboys. He empathised greatly with Brian and adored his song writing, he wrote poetry himself, much of which is very beautiful.
As there will be no funeral, if you want to spend a few moments thinking of Richard and me, perhaps you would like to listen to this
Brian Wilson song from his amazing album No Pier Pressure, which Richard made clear to me it was ...
His last song to me ...
' The Last Song '
Brian Wilson
Er Tee
The great Brian Wilson, he is the Mozart of our century, we all must realise how fortunate we are to have him and his music in our life
Kevin Campbell
My 8 month old daughter passed on the 5th of March this year from a heart defect. This song perfectly expresses all that I'm feeling. There's never enough time for the ones that you love.
Joseph LoPiccolo
🙏🏻😢R.I.P. precious baby.😪
elizabeth ranum
Prayers for your family. May God hold you all in His arms through your grieving.
Ben Archer
❤️
Kurt Juergens
So, so sorry for your loss. Peace and comfort to you, Kevin.
topgeardel
I'm reading this on March 5th, 2021, exactly a year ago of your daughter's passing. It was about exactly a year ago today when my 5 month old grandson receive a new heart valve to keep him alive. My sympathies for your loss on this anniversary.
Ross D
"Don't be sad, there was a time and place for what we had. "
My favourite ever lyric, absolutely heartbreaking.
DumbAngel67
God I love him so much it hurts. This song makes me cry every time I hear it. Listened to his music every day since I was 5. I wore out his first solo album after having listened to it 3 times a day every day from beginning to end. You're the closest thing to family I ever had. Thanks for everything!
Ken M Geraci
Just stunning! A masterpiece! I listened to this ten times in a row but finally had to stop as I was crying my eyes out and I am a grown man! Brian Wilson is a gift from God! He is America's greatest songwriter!!