Wednesday 6 August 2008

Everyone Loves A Tortured Genius

I bought my original copy of The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' in Reddington's Rare Records in Birmingham (the shop has now moved to teh interwebs, and the owner Danny Reddington has a show on a local radio station). I played it an awful lot in the awful empty space between finishing university and getting a job.


They say I got brains
But they ain't doing me no good
How I wish they could.

I was twenty-two; I'd been to school. I'd passed lots of exams. My parents were very proud of me. I had run out of instructions to follow. I had run out of childhood.I was finally free. Oh, fuck.

Brian Wilson, the ever-popular tortured genius.

I keep looking for a place to fit in
where I can speak my mind
and I've been trying hard to find the people
that I won't leave behind

they say I got brains
but they ain't doing me no good
I wish they could

each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
but what goes wrong

sometimes I feel very sad
(I wish I had something I could
put my heart and soul into)
sometimes I feel very sad

I guess I just wasn't made for these times

every time I get the inspiration
to go change things around
no one wants to help me look for places
where new things might be found

where can I turn
when my fair weather friends cop out
what's it all about

each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin' for myself
but what goes wrong

sometimes I feel very sad
(I wish I had something I could
put my heart and soul into)
sometimes I feel very sad

I guess I just wasn't made for these times.

BRIAN WILSON

4 comments:

KAZ said...

Yes
I got this after school and before university.

But I really want to congratulate you on the Graham Parker post.
I saw him at gigs again and again in Manchester including one in Alexandra Park. I was a huge fan.
I wonder where he is now?

I, Like The View said...

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

:-)

makes me think of the last time I was at Tate St Ives, and a rather eclectic exhibition inspired by Brian Wilson with a really interesting piece of art called "World Receiver"

I like the way you make me think of things

ta

Gordie said...

Good news, Kaz: Graham Parker is still touring and recording! he has a website at www.grahamparker.net, an interview here and you can download two free MP3s here.

Gordie said...

"You need a real strong finish
That never quits
Like English toffee
On hominy grits
A buttery flavor
That goes on and on
With a hint of grease
And a nose too long
But you gotta do it your own way
On cigarettes and bad chardonnay
Yeah cigarettes, cigarettes
And bad chardonnay"

He must love you...