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.
This Whole World
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Brian wilson
I'm thinking about a-this whole world
Late at night I think about the love of this whole world
Lots of different people everywhere
And when I go anywhere I see love I see love I see lo-oh oh oh
When girls get mad at boys and go
Many times they're just putting on a show
But when they leave you wait alone
You are there like everywhere like everyone you see
Happy cause you're living and you're free
Now here comes another day for your love
(I'm thinking about this whole world)
(a-this whole world)
Your love
Woo oo oo oo ooo ooo oo oo
(woo oo oo oo ooo ooo oo oo)
Aummmmm wooo wooooo bop didit
Late at night I think about the love of this whole world
Oomm dot dit it
Oomm dot dit it
Oomm
In Brian Wilson's song This Whole World, he reflects on the love that exists all around us. Late at night, he thinks about the love that permeates through the entire world, despite the presence of many different people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. The song speaks to the idea that love is universal and accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. Wilson also touches on the theme of heartbreak, recognizing that when girls leave boys, it can be a painful experience. However, he suggests that people should not dwell on the hurt, but instead remember the happiness that comes from being alive and free.
The song's upbeat tune and optimistic lyrics reflect Wilson's signature songwriting style, combining elements of rock, pop, and psychedelia. This Whole World became a fan favorite and an often-covered Beach Boys song, exemplifying the band's ability to produce music that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of summer and joy. The song's simple yet profound message resonates with listeners to this day and is a testament to Wilson's ability to create timeless music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm thinking about a-this whole world
I'm pondering about the state of the entire world and its inhabitants
Late at night I think about the love of this whole world
During quiet moments of the night, I contemplate the love that exists in the world
Lots of different people everywhere
There are many diverse individuals spread across the entire globe
And when I go anywhere I see love I see love I see lo-oh oh oh
Whenever I travel to different places, I'm able to spot love and warmer emotions
When girls get mad at boys and go
When women get upset with their male counterparts and leave them
Many times they're just putting on a show
In many cases, they're just pretending and not genuinely angry
But when they leave you wait alone
However, when they depart from your life, you're left to wait in loneliness
You are there like everywhere like everyone you see
You're omnipresent and exist in everyone and everything that surrounds you
Happy cause you're living and you're free
You're content because you're alive and unbound by any constraints
Now here comes another day for your love
Another day arrives where you can express and share your love
(I'm thinking about this whole world)
I'm still pondering the state of the entire world
(A-this whole world)
This entire world, I mean
Your love
The love that you possess
Woo oo oo oo ooo ooo oo oo
A vocalization of the pleasure and joy derived from love
(Woo oo oo oo ooo ooo oo oo)
More vocal expression of happiness and satisfaction
Aummmmm wooo wooooo bop didit
A nonsensical set of sounds that add to the musical rhythm and tone
Late at night I think about the love of this whole world
During quiet moments of the night, I contemplate the love that exists in the world
Oomm dot dit it
More nonsensical sounds providing musicality
Oomm dot dit it
And again, more beat and tone to the song
Oomm
The song ends with a final nonsensical sound
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GARY FRIEDMAN, HERB SHAPIRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind