10. SURF’S UP
The Legend of Brian Wilson’s SMiLE
“For all of its legendary reputation, the one thing that’s always bothered me about the SMiLE story was the image that it left behind: Brian, the sole genius, left tortured by his gifts and completely alone, his tribute to America left unfinished. But he was never really alone, was he?”
Goodbye Surfing, Hello God! SMiLE was supposed to be the magnum opus of its 24-year-old “genius” creator Brian Wilson. But by 1967, the planned album had been scrapped and Brian left shattered by the experience. To most, the album would be known more in whispers than actual music until Brian was finally able to complete the album in 2004, but the true Wilson acolytes knew better than to believe the hype of an “official” version. SMiLE had been theirs all along. Krista takes Rosie on a bicycle ride through Brian’s “teenage symphony to God” and explains how that journey didn’t end when Brian abandoned the tapes. Shoutout to the multitude of fan organizations keeping all the music we love alive today! Krista takes a swing at the myth of the lone male genius and Rosie compares the feel of the album to hyperpop. Both hosts wish they had physical BEACH BOYS FREAKS UNITED membership cards for their wallets.
IN THIS EPISODE…
POCKET SYMPHONY RADIO
“Surf’s Up” by the Beach Boys (1971)
LOVE & MERCY
Where to stream/rent the movie
[1:23:05] — [1:40:30]
SCENE FOCUS: Brian performs “Surf’s Up” on a solo piano, the infamous “Fire” suite recording sessions, a band meeting in the pool and the collapse of Brian’s SMiLE, Murray sells the Beach Boys’ publishing rights, Melinda and Brian’s first escape attempt
DISCUSSION TOPICS
- The making… and unmaking of Brian Wilson’s SMiLE
- How the fans kept it alive in the underground through bootlegs and fanmade mixes (let’s go DIY-ers!)
- Let’s face it… fangirls make culture. We’re here to celebrate that!
THE FANTASY ALBUM DRAFT
CATEGORY: SMiLE or Smiley Smile song
- Rosie: “Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)” from The Smile Sessions (2011)
- Krista: “Wind Chimes” from The Smile Sessions (2011)
MUSIC
Listen to the playlist on Spotify.
- “Surf’s Up” by the Beach Boys
- “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin
- “Heroes and Villains” by the Beach Boys
- “Vege-Tables” by the Beach Boys
- “Wonderful” by the Beach Boys
- “Cabin Essence” by the Beach Boys
- “The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow)” by the Beach Boys
- “Child is Father of the Man” by the Beach Boys
- “Little Pad” by the Beach Boys
- “Our Prayer” by the Beach Boys
- “Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock)” by the Beach Boys
- “Wind Chimes” by the Beach Boys
EPISODE CREDITS
WRITTEN AND HOSTED BY
Rosie Alejandrino and Krista Kurisaki
EDITED BY
ADDITIONAL VOICE WORK
- Kyle Bates as Brian Wilson
- Liss the Lass
- Marissa Olivas
EPISODE SOURCES
READING
- Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson by Peter Ames Carlin
- “Goodbye Surfing, Hello God” by Jules Siegal, Cheetah Magazine, 1967
- “The Beach Boys vs. Capitol Records” by Dave Swanson, Ultimate Classic Rock, 12 Apr 2014
- I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir by Brian Wilson, Ben Greenman
- “Fandom and Ontology in Smile” by Andrew Flory, an essay in Good Vibrations: Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys in Critical Perspective,
ed. Philip Lambert - Everything I Need I Get From You: How Fangirls Created the Internet as We Know It by Kaitlyn Tiffany
AUDIO
- Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile (2004), dir. David Leaf
- The Beach Boys: Endless Harmony (1998), dir. Alan Boyd
- Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution (1967), dir. David Oppenheim
- Love & Mercy (2014), dir. Bill Pohlad
- Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times (1995), dir. Don Was
- Brianism compilation (Brian Wilson funny moments!) (not even gonna lie one of my favorite videos on YouTube)
- The Beach Boys — Isolated Vocals — BOOKOFF Smile [ai] (🚨 tw: AI GENERATED BRIAN VOICE 🚨)
BACKGROUND MUSIC
