Brian Wilson S/T (1988) Song-By-Song Thread

Little Children
Producer: Brian Wilson/Russ Titelman
Mixed by Hugh Padgham assisted by Bob Vogt at A & M Recording Studios
(Brian Wilson)

On a Monday mornin' you see 'em all there
Little children they're marching along
On a sunny mountain without any cares
Little children they're marching along

Marching along, siging a song
Making rhythm and rhyme
It used to be somthing to see
They don't keep track of the time

If the rain comes down
They put on their coats
Little children they're marching along
If it gets too floody
They get in their boats
Little children they're marching along

Marching along, siging a song
Making rhythm and rhyme
It used to be somthing to see
They don't keep track of the time

Poor little Wendy she's too scared to speak
Little children they're marching along
And look at little Carnie with dirt on her cheek
Little children they're marching along
It's three fifteen it's time to go home
Little children they're marching along
You can't kiss no one until you get home
Little children they're marching along
Marching along
Marching along
Marching along
Marching along
Marching along
Marching along
Marching along

 

I just noticed something odd. When I play Brian Wilson S/T in Windows Media player it shows up as this:

 

Not much love for "Little Children" I guess. "Little Children" was written as early as 1976. A demo of the song, known as "They're Marching Along" as circulated among collectors for years. It's a nice song, but gives lie to the contemporary notion that Brian Wilson was a 1988 Pet Sounds. Rather, it sounds like a fully produced 1988 version of a Love You track. On can imagine "Little Children" sounding much like "Mona" had it been released on Love You.

I have always viewed the song as a hybrid of two of Brian's favorite songs: "Mountain Of Love" and "Da Doo Ron Ron". The production of the song takes cues from each of those songs. It's a full production with booming drums, and a nice vocal arrangement.

Certainly there were better songs that went unused. However, "Little Children" is upbeat, fun and inconsequential, which is probably why it was included over more somber (but superior) songs such as "The First Time" and "Don't Let Her Know She's An Angel".

 

I love this song - this and "Meet Me in My Dreams Tonight" are my two faves from the album...

Though it was "Let's Go to Heaven In My Car" that turned me onto Brian Wilson (didn't know he was a Beach Boy!) when I heard it at the end of a Police Academy movie when I was about 13! I loved it so much - I watched the end credits and didn't recognize the bland-sounding name. "Brian Wilson". Made no connection to that oldies group my dad listened to on 101.1 in NY - which I also liked.

Jeff

 

I like it.

 

So do I.

 

Windows Media Player seaches the web for matches based on various characteristics of the disc and comes back with the wrong match sometimes. It's not unusual.

 

That is weird . . and I love that album as well

 

I see. This is the first time it's happened to me since I started using WMP. I used the edit feature to correct the album and track titles. Still have the wrong artwork though. No biggie. I'll just disable the "show media information" feature. Thank's!

 

One For The Boys
Producer: Brian Wilson
Mixed by Mark Linett at Image
(Brian Wilson)

One, two

 

The working title for this song was "There You Are" . Reportedly, in order to reach perfection some of the multi-track voices were fed through a Fairlight or Synclavier sampler. Interestingly, very much the same working method that was used so much on the "Beach Boys" 85' album.

 

Does Brian's count-in on "One for the Boys" sound strangely clipped to you?

 

Yes. kind of cut-off and dry. Almost like a cut n' paste thing before there was Pro-tools and that kind of stuff.

 

There's So Many
Producer: Brian Wilson/Russ Titelman
Mixed by Hugh Padgham assisted by Bob Vogt at A & M Recording Studios
Brian Wilson/Eugene Landy/Alexandra Morgan

There's so many dreams to dream of
Why not dream about my true love
And even though I can't be with her
I still have my fantasy
Fantasy world

There's so many risks to take
And if I lose my heart will break
I think I might take a chance on love again
Oh on love again
Love again

I wonder
Why has it taken so long
I wonder
If you know where you belong
Your face up in the sky
Where angels fly
In heaven's eye
Where planets are spinning around

There's so many songs to sing
I'm thankful for the love they bring
Don't let old scars keep us apart
We're gonna mend our broken hearts
Starting tonight

I wonder
If you know where you belong
I wonder
Why has it taken so long
To get you in my arms
To feel my love that is so strong
Where planets are spinning around
Planets are spinning around