SMiLE

1. Brian Wilson's Early Genius & LA Sound Innovation

The crucial difference for Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys was their positioning on the West Coast – in particular, Los Angeles.

LA's unique environment. Brian Wilson's musical journey began in the garage, but his genius blossomed in the vibrant, modern landscape of Los Angeles. Inspired by diverse sounds from R&B vocal groups to West Coast jazz and surf instrumentals, LA's blend of primitive Pacific culture and Space Age futurism fueled his early creativity. The city's unique aesthetic, shaped by Modernist architecture and proximity to mountains and sea, provided a rich backdrop for his emerging sound.

Early recording experiments. From recording rehearsals in a neighbor's carport to cutting demos at World Pacific studio, Brian showed an early initiative to capture sound. His fascination with recording technology and sound design was evident even with simple tools like a Wollensack recorder. This hands-on approach to production, influenced by the city's media-centric environment, set him apart from many contemporaries.

Defining the California sound. Brian quickly became a prolific songwriter and producer, defining the "California sound" through hits for The Beach Boys and collaborations with artists like Jan & Dean and Gary Usher. His ability to blend reverb-laden surf guitar with sophisticated vocal harmonies, drawing from influences like The Four Freshmen and The Hi-Lo's, created an exotic paradise in sound that captivated American youth and fueled the surf music craze.

2. The Leap to Sophistication: Pet Sounds

By the release of Beach Boys Today! in early 1965, Brian Wilson’s modern touch had come to the fore.

Evolving beyond surf. Brian began consciously moving away from purely beach-themed songs in mid-1964, exploring themes of insecurity and change while also capitalizing on dance crazes. His production style, initially influenced by Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, started to favor audio clarity and lush arrangements, showing an appreciation for the dynamic potential of pop songs, much like Burt Bacharach's work.

A personal masterpiece. Pet Sounds, released in 1966, marked a significant artistic leap, showcasing Brian's sophisticated production techniques and deeply personal songwriting. Though credited to The Beach Boys, it was largely a Brian Wilson solo effort, featuring complex instrumental arrangements played by session musicians and layered background vocals recorded in the band's absence. The album's innovative sound and thematic depth set a new standard for pop music.

Influence and recognition. Despite initial hesitation from Capitol Records, Pet Sounds became a critical success, particularly in England, where it profoundly influenced The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Tracks like "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "God Only Knows," and "Caroline, No" demonstrated a new level of emotional and musical complexity in rock. Brian's recognition as a top producer, culminating in a KRLA Beat Award, solidified his status as a visionary artist.

3. The Ambitious Vision of Smile & Van Dyke Parks Partnership

In pianist Van Dyke Parks, Brian Wilson finally met a collaborator who gave back to his music as much as Brian himself was putting out.

A meeting of minds. Brian Wilson's search for a lyricist led him to Van Dyke Parks, a musician and writer deeply immersed in folk music, beat generation poetry, and the burgeoning LA counter-culture scene. Their meeting, facilitated by David Crosby and Terry Melcher, sparked a creative partnership built on mutual respect and an intuitive understanding of each other's artistic vision, pushing Brian's music into new, abstract territories.

Beyond traditional songwriting. Parks's influence encouraged Brian to explore themes beyond typical pop fare, drawing inspiration from American history, spirituality, and social consciousness. Their first collaborations, "Heroes and Villains" and "Surf's Up," immediately demonstrated a departure from conventional song structures and lyrical content, aiming for a more cinematic and poetic expression.

A "teenage symphony to God". The Smile project, initially titled Dumb Angel, was conceived as a sprawling, multi-movement work that Brian boldly described as a "teenage symphony to God." It aimed to capture the optimism and spiritual searching of the era, blending diverse musical styles and experimental studio techniques to create a unique audio tapestry reflecting the American dream, environmentalism, and inner exploration.

4. Capturing "Good Vibrations": A Studio Masterpiece

From start to finish, it took seven months for ‘Good Vibrations’ to be recorded and released, in October 1966.

An R&B experiment. Conceived during the Pet Sounds sessions, "Good Vibrations" began as Brian's attempt to create an advanced R&B track, inspired by his mother's concept of "good vibrations." The initial lyrics were co-written with Tony Asher, but Brian envisioned a much more complex arrangement than initially discussed, pushing the boundaries of pop production.

Modular recording approach. The song's lengthy gestation involved numerous sessions across multiple Hollywood studios, including Gold Star, Columbia, and Western Recorders. Brian meticulously recorded different sections ("pockets") of the song separately, utilizing the unique sonic characteristics of each studio. This modular approach, unprecedented in pop music, allowed for incredible detail and dynamic range.

A sonic mosaic. Brian's mastery of studio technology and his vision for blending diverse sounds resulted in a "pocket symphony" filled with unexpected changes, harmonies, and instrumental textures, including the prominent use of the theremin. The final mix, incorporating Mike Love's distinctive vocal parts, was a triumph of artistic beauty and technical innovation, becoming an international number one hit and solidifying Brian's reputation as a studio genius.

5. Thematic Exploration: Americana & The Elements

One composition rolled into the next, and a general subject matter began to emerge.

The American narrative. The collaboration between Wilson and Parks quickly developed thematic threads, particularly an exploration of the American experience. Songs like "Heroes and Villains" and "Roll Plymouth Rock" (originally "Do You Like Worms") delved into the continent's history, from Western ballads and Native American perspectives to the arrival of European settlers and the building of railroads, creating a historical and cultural tapestry.

Nature and spirituality. Smile also deeply engaged with themes of nature, health, and spirituality, reflecting the burgeoning counter-culture consciousness. "The Elements" suite aimed to capture the essence of earth, air, fire, and water through music and sound effects, while songs like "Vega-tables" promoted healthy eating with a satirical twist. The album's spiritual core was evident in pieces like "Our Prayer" and the exploration of belief in "Child Is Father Of The Man."

Pictorial music. Brian's goal was to create "pictorial music," using instrumental textures and sound manipulation to evoke vivid images and emotions. From the evocative sounds of "Barnyard" and the wistful melancholy of "You Are My Sunshine" to the pan-continental journey of "Cabin Essence" and the experimental soundscapes of "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow," Smile aimed to be a cinematic experience for the ears, pushing the boundaries of what pop music could convey.

6. Conflict and Resistance: Derailed by Internal and External Pressures

From that point on, there remained a sense of vendetta in the air whenever Mike Love approached creative dealings that concerned Brian, who would then retreat.

Internal band friction. While Brian was pushing artistic boundaries, internal conflicts within The Beach Boys, particularly with Mike Love, began to escalate. Disagreements over songwriting credits (stemming from Murry Wilson's actions), the band's outdated image, and the abstract nature of the Smile lyrics created tension. Mike Love's resistance to the new direction and his desire to stick to the successful "formula" became a significant obstacle.

Capitol Records' skepticism. Capitol Records, viewing The Beach Boys primarily as a hit-single act, was hesitant about the time and expense invested in Pet Sounds and the ambitious Smile project. Their lack of understanding of the album as an art form led to poor promotion of Pet Sounds and skepticism towards Smile, contributing to a strained relationship that eventually led to a lawsuit.

Psychological and external pressures. Brian faced immense pressure from various sources: the weight of expectation after Pet Sounds and "Good Vibrations," the competitive environment of the music industry (especially with The Beatles), and personal struggles exacerbated by drug use and psychological issues. The lawsuit with Capitol, the perceived betrayal of the Smile tapes being heard by others, and the constant internal band friction created a toxic environment that eroded his sense of sanctuary and made completing the complex project increasingly difficult.

7. The Collapse of Smile and its Immediate Aftermath

By the time The Beach Boys’ royalty situation became a legal matter in early 1967, a premeditated attempt to reap from the certain harvest that would be Smile was made.

The lawsuit and its timing. The Beach Boys' lawsuit against Capitol Records in February 1967, seeking unpaid royalties and termination of their contract, coincided directly with the final recording sessions for the original Smile version of "Heroes and Villains." This legal battle created a major disruption, freezing the planned release of the single and the album, just as Smile was nearing completion.

Abandoning the masterpiece. Despite the album being largely finished by May 1967, Brian Wilson ultimately decided not to release the original Smile. Factors included the legal entanglements, the pressure from Capitol and the band, the looming release of Sgt. Pepper, and his own deteriorating mental state. This decision, though perhaps understandable given the circumstances, was a devastating blow to the project and its participants.

The "bunt" of Smiley Smile. In the wake of Smile's collapse, The Beach Boys quickly recorded Smiley Smile in Brian's home studio. This minimalist, lo-fi album featured stripped-down versions of some Smile tracks alongside new material. While praised by some for its intimacy and unique sound, it was widely seen as a disappointing follow-up to Pet Sounds and a pale imitation of the ambitious Smile, marking the end of the band's peak creative era.

8. The Rise of the Smile Myth and Bootleg Culture

The Great White Wonder started a trend.

The birth of bootlegs. The non-release of Smile, coupled with the band's subsequent shift away from progressive music, created a void that the burgeoning bootleg market began to fill. Inspired by the success of Bob Dylan's Great White Wonder, fans and collectors sought out unreleased Smile session tapes, which began circulating in the underground.

The legend grows. As snippets and rough mixes of Smile tracks like "Surf's Up," "Cabin Essence," and "Heroes and Villains" spread through tape trading, the legend of the lost album grew. These unofficial releases offered glimpses of Brian Wilson's visionary work, fueling speculation and debate among fans and critics about what the finished album might have sounded like and why it was shelved.

A counter-narrative. The bootlegs provided a counter-narrative to The Beach Boys Inc.'s official stance, which often downplayed or dismissed Smile as a drug-fueled mess. The quality and complexity of the session tapes themselves contradicted this narrative, demonstrating Brian's creative control and the project's artistic merit, keeping the dream of a proper release alive for decades.

9. Fans and Musicians Keep the Dream Alive

There was a small group of people who shared a love for the music through trading tapes.

Dedicated fan base. Despite The Beach Boys Inc.'s efforts to suppress Smile, a dedicated fan base, often connected through fanzines and trading networks like Beach Boys Freaks United and The Dumb Angel Gazette, kept the album's legacy alive. These fans meticulously documented session details, shared rare recordings, and debated the album's intended structure, becoming unofficial archivists of the lost masterpiece.

Influence on new artists. As the Smile bootlegs circulated, they began to influence a new generation of musicians in the alternative and indie rock scenes. Artists like XTC, Velvet Crush, The High Llamas, and Apples in Stereo openly referenced Smile's complex arrangements, thematic depth, and experimental spirit in their own music, demonstrating its enduring artistic relevance beyond the mainstream.

The Wondermints connection. A pivotal moment came when Brian Wilson encountered The Wondermints, a band deeply influenced by his music, particularly Pet Sounds and Smile. Their ability to faithfully recreate his complex arrangements impressed Brian and eventually led to them becoming his touring band. This collaboration provided Brian with a supportive musical environment and reignited his connection to the Smile material.

10. The Eventual Reconstruction and Triumphant Debut (2004)

Life was coming back to Smile.

A new beginning. After decades of denial and resistance, Brian Wilson, encouraged by his wife Melinda and the enthusiasm of his touring band, finally decided to revisit and complete Smile. This monumental undertaking involved reconstructing the album from the original session tapes, piecing together fragments, and, with Van Dyke Parks's renewed involvement, writing new lyrics for previously instrumental sections.

Revisiting the past. The reconstruction process was a journey back in time, with Brian and Parks tapping into their memories and the archival evidence to determine the intended sequencing and thematic flow. Darian Sahanaja played a crucial role as "music secretary," navigating the session tapes and helping Brian recall melodies and arrangements, ensuring the project's integrity.

Triumph in London. The completed Brian Wilson Presents Smile debuted live in London in February 2004, marking a triumphant moment for Brian and the legions of fans who had waited nearly 40 years. The subsequent studio recording and release were met with widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, finally allowing the world to hear the visionary work that had been lost to conflict and circumstance, solidifying its place as a masterpiece of 20th-century music.

Last updated: June 11, 2025