information and lyrics
(Wilson/Asher)
This tune has been relased three time -- so far. It first popped up on Songs Without Words, a 1997 Windham Hill collection of composers playing short piano pieces. Brian joined Stephen Sondheim, David Foster and others with this uptempo, ragtime-like piece.
Interestingly, though, it wasn't written as an instrumental. Pet Sounds wordsmith Tony Asher wrote lyrics during his brief 1996 reunion with Brian (the pair produced four or five songs). For one reason or another, Brian and Joe Thomas (who coproduced the recording) decided to issue the piece in this stripped down form.
It's compelling. The overdubbed pianos are well-played by the composer, and the song takes several interesting twists and turns. The possibilities it presented were fascinating, for it forced the listener to, in effect, produce the song.
The entire song with lyrics was finally released April of 2000 on the Flinstones in Viva Rock Vegas soundtrack. Brian had nothing to do with the production or vocal on this version of the track (the song is mangled by actor Alan Cumming). It did, however, finally feature Tony Asher's lyrics.
Brian finally performed the entire thing (in, I'm assuming, his preferred arrangement) on his summer 2000 "Live at the Roxy Theatre" album. Although the song was played live at the two Roxy shows, Brian hasn't bothered with it since in live performance. The lyrics used here are from Brian's definitive rendition. (The movie cut the third verse and flipped the first two around.)
Some brief notes: the song uses a brief riff from the Wilson/Paley track "You're Still A Mystery". It's very subtle--you have to play the tracks back-to-back to hear it. Also, Brian claimed he started the song in 1980, writing the first eight notes.
Lyrics
This isn't love, this is ecstacy
Somehow I knew you would come to me
I've just been waiting for you to come
Into my life this way
Now here you'll stay
This isn't love, this is destiny
Somewhere above this was planned for me
Life had no meaning, I never knew what
Til the dream came true
The dream is you
(chorus)
I never say never
But this love won't ever be over
Together we'll share love wherever we go
This isn't chance, this was meant to be
I knew I'd find you eventually
Nothing else matters as long as I know
You will always be
So close to me
(chorus)
This isn't chance, this was meant to be
I knew I'd find you eventually
Nothing else matters as long as I know
You will always be
So close to me
I never say never
(repeat)
Comments, questions, or concerns
may be directed to:
[email protected]
Brian Wilson at home, 1997.