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.
What Love Can Do
Brian Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need to understand, the way I feel
Feels like I'm flying here, no time for cryin' here
Can't help but smiling here, is it you?
Is it true, is it love?
It's been a long, long time, my what a world
There's trouble everywhere, I'm sure you've heard
Tell me it's not a dream, say it's true
Say it's you, say it's love
And you and I are gonna to be together every day
It's getting better and you and I had given up on love
But people change so don't say never
And if you ever need the proof just look at me and you
Look at what love can do
God help me get it right, show us the way
It's gonna last this time, not fade away
I know I could be wrong, although I know I'm not
Thank God for what we've got 'cause it's true
'Cause it's you, 'cause it's love
And you and I are gonna to be together every day
It's getting better and you and I had given up on love
But people change so don't say never
And if you ever need the proof just look at me and you
Look at what love can do
Feels like I'm flying here, no time for crying here
Can't help but smiling here, 'cause it's true
And it's you and it's love
You've got to help me out, tell me it's real
The song "What Love Can Do" by Brian Wilson is a beautiful ode to the power of love to conquer all kinds of obstacles. The song starts with a plea for help to understand the feelings that arise when one is in love. The singer expresses that love feels like flying, and there is no time to cry. Instead, there is nothing but smiling in the presence of the loved one. The singer questions the reality of love, wondering if it's true and if it's the real deal.
As the song progresses, the singer talks of how it's been a long time since they've felt this way about someone, as the world seems to be in turmoil. However, the singer believes that love conquers everything, and this must be what people mean when they say that. Despite the skepticism, the singer hopes that it isn't a dream and that the love is real. As the chorus begins, the singer speaks of the promise of being together every day and how this relationship has given hope for love to work despite having given up on it before.
In the last verse, the singer pleads to God for help to get it right this time, and for love not to fade; it must last. Even though the singer knows they could be wrong, they are grateful for what they have right now. As the song ends, the same elated feelings return, with no time for sadness, only smiles, as it's true love.
In summary, the song portrays that when love is genuine, it has the power to change everything, including our outlook on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody help me out, tell me it's real
I need someone to confirm that what I am feeling is genuine and not just in my head.
I need to understand, the way I feel
I am trying to comprehend the way that I feel about this person or situation.
Feels like I'm flying here, no time for cryin' here
I am feeling incredibly happy and uplifted, and have no reason to be upset or sad.
Can't help but smiling here, is it you?
I can't stop smiling and I am wondering if it's because of the other person's presence or actions.
Is it true, is it love?
I am questioning whether this feeling I am experiencing is genuine, long-lasting love or just a temporary infatuation.
It's been a long, long time, my what a world
It feels like ages since something positive happened to me or since I last felt hopeful about the world.
There's trouble everywhere, I'm sure you've heard
I am aware of all the problems and challenges present in the world and in my personal life.
This must be what they mean, love conquers everything
I realize that love has the power to overcome obstacles and challenges, and maybe that's what's happening between us.
Tell me it's not a dream, say it's true
I am hoping that this situation is not just a figment of my imagination, but a real, tangible thing that can be pursued and developed.
Say it's you, say it's love
I want to hear from the other person that it is indeed them who is causing these feelings of love and happiness in me.
And you and I are gonna to be together every day
I envision a future where this person and I are mutually committed to one another, and see each other every day.
It's getting better and you and I had given up on love
I see that things are improving between us and that we are overcoming the initial barriers or doubts we may have had about having a romantic relationship.
But people change so don't say never
I am conscious of the fact that people's feelings and attitudes can evolve and that one shouldn't be closed off to the possibility of change or new development.
And if you ever need the proof just look at me and you
I am confident that the relationship we have can serve as evidence of the transformative and positive power of love.
Look at what love can do
I am drawing attention to the fact that love is a powerful and transformative force that can positively impact people and situations.
God help me get it right, show us the way
I am asking for divine guidance to ensure that whatever decision I make regarding this person and our relationship is the correct one.
It's gonna last this time, not fade away
I feel confident that this relationship will endure and not fade away like others may have in the past.
I know I could be wrong, although I know I'm not
Although I recognize that I am capable of making mistakes, I feel very sure and confident about the feelings and situation at hand.
Thank God for what we've got 'cause it's true
I am extremely grateful for the positive emotions and circumstances that the relationship has brought me, and sincerely believe that they are genuine and sincere.
'Cause it's you, 'cause it's love
I attribute the positive feelings and hopeful future I envision to the other person and the love I feel for them.
You've got to help me out, tell me it's real
I am again asking the other person for reinforcement and validation that what I am feeling is real and not a figment of my imagination.
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vothiha2524
Somebody help me out, tell me it's real
I need to understand, the way I feel
Feels like I'm flying here, no time for cryin' here
Can't help but smiling here, is it you?
Is it true, is it love?
It's been a long, long time, my what a world
There's trouble everywhere, I'm sure you've heard
This must be what they mean, love conquers everything
Tell me it's not a dream, say it's true
Say it's you, say it's love
And you and I are gonna to be together every day
It's getting better and you and I had given up on love
But people change so don't say never
And if you ever need the proof just look at me and you
Look at what love can do
God help me get it right, show us the way
It's gonna last this time, not fade away
I know I could be wrong, although I know I'm not
Thank God for what we've got 'cause it's true
'Cause it's you, 'cause it's love
And you and I are gonna to be together every day
It's getting better and you and I had given up on love
But people change so don't say never
And if you ever need the proof just look at me and you
Look at what love can do
Feels like I'm flying here, no time for crying here
Can't help but smiling here, 'cause it's true
And it's you and it's love
You've got to help me out, tell me it's real
@joshuastephenward5316
most underrated song both men ever did
@knockedoutloaded279
Really hope Brian makes 1 more album...
@angelacowan7883
Pure GENIUS. Love you Brian.
@LifeStrikeCoach
Brilliant, stunning, superlative ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@tishthedish7684
Oh my gosh. How'd I miss this one? Love it. Voice great here! And what an AMAZING hallway (s) of greatness with ALL those gold records & Platinums! Wow!
❤️❤️❤️Brian Wilson.
@geraldcroft9020
I wish their was a fountain of youth, god bless you Brian, I look forward to meeting you on the other side.
@hawkwing
Harmonies and melodies from heaven!
@timothyburnett6424
I love this guy so much, can't always explain why. This brings me to tears.
@annechapman9143
This song melts my heart in so many ways 💕
@NovenJaisi
Mine too.