Brian Wilson's Lost Rap Recording
In 1989 Brian Wilson began recording "Sweet Insanity", an album that was due for release in 1991 but was rejected by Sire. The album was made during one of Wilson's supposedly troubled periods when he was under the influence of psychologist Eugene Landy (who was listed as a co-producer) and included guest performances by both Bob Dylan and Weird Al Yankovic. The album has long been available as a bootleg and four of the songs were subsequently released on later albums.
"Smart Girls" was produced by Matt Dike, the co-founder of Delicious Vinyl who was also part of the production team behind hits by Tone Loc and Young MC. By varying accounts Dike was at one time a member of the Dust Brothers and responsible for a some of the production on The Beastie Boy's "Paul's Boutique" which was recorded in 1989 (roughly the same time as Wilson's album). You can actually hear some vague links as "Smart Girls" employs a similar cut-and-paste sample aesthetic (to far worse effect) as bits of past Beach Boy hits are chopped up and sprinkled throughout the song. "Smart Girls" was supposedly released as a promo to radio stations and Wilson played the song on the air during an interview on Dr. Demento's show in 1992. The LA Weekly dug up this "Brains and Genius" J-Card at a used record shop which may be the radio promo or something else entirely.
Previously posted: The Murry Wilson Tapes
Audio originally found in the depths of RSHB
Holy mackinac. I can't tell this is brilliant or completely stupid. Plus, am I the only person who is reminded of Jello Biafra in some weird way?
Posted by: John Fink | November 30, 2007 at 12:31 PM
As I was telling Doron, I cannot believe I missed this amazing document. It reminds me of DD Ramone's "rap" album. How sad to hear Brian used by Eugene Landy in such a way. Poor Brian. Landy should be convicted posthumously for international musical crimes for this. -Ken
Posted by: Station Manager Ken | November 30, 2007 at 12:53 PM
"Smart Girls" was included on a very entertaining Beach Boys bootleg CD some knowledgable fan compiled a few years ago, which was titled Endless Bummer. As you can guess by the name, it was a collection of the very worst moments of the Boys on audio tape. Aside from this record, it also included the Spanish language version of "Kokomo" (which, unlike the hit version, did include Brian on a backing vocal), Mike Love's infamous 1968 rehearsal of "Heroes and Villains," Love mocking Bob Dylan, some bad radio promos (including an anti-drug PSA), and, yep, excerpts from the "Help Me Rhonda" recording session when Murray Wilson barged in.
It's very funny stuff, but as usual with the Beach Boys, there's real sadness to some of the cuts, coming from animosity between band members, self-destructive behavior, or the strained relationship with Murray.
Anyway, I bought my copy of Endless Bummer at the WFMU Record Fair a few years ago. Of course.
Posted by: James | November 30, 2007 at 01:59 PM
From Philip Lambert's excellent book, "Inside the Music of Brian Wilson":
"The track that may have doomed the record was Brian's infamous rap song, "Smart Girls," which includes multiple self-quotations and autobiographical allusions."
Posted by: jmb | November 30, 2007 at 02:09 PM
I'm gonna need to hear that Spanish language version of Kokomo. My life will be in ruins until I hear that.
Posted by: Dave the Spazz | November 30, 2007 at 02:52 PM
I thought it was brilliant. It must've taken them days to write, record, sample and piece all of it together. It's like looking at a giant puzzle, but everyone's standing much too close. Just take a few steps back and you'll gain a much better perspective. It's just another fantastic song from one of the greatest musical geniuses we've ever known. And it's sad only a handful of people will ever hear it, and even fewer will appreciate it.
Posted by: verbalcheese | November 30, 2007 at 07:56 PM
Am I the only person who really likes this? This is great!!!
Posted by: pj | November 30, 2007 at 08:17 PM
Just as a slight aside to Ken, the Dee Dee King rap tracks are all rehashed (and cleaned up, if you can believe it) stylistic mockups of the PJ Proby rap single: http://www.savoy.abel.co.uk/HTML/hardc.html
Not the same exact track, mind you...
Posted by: EH | November 30, 2007 at 09:38 PM
i used this song for a high school essay on postmodernism. i said it was a sarcastic skewering of feminism.
Posted by: art | December 02, 2007 at 05:38 PM
It manages to be better than The Beastie Boys...
...like that is some great feat.
Posted by: Rye | December 03, 2007 at 03:57 PM
This song is not to be taken seriously. Brian has a great sense of humour and this is a fun track! The lyrics show that he was having a laugh and it is very well put together.
Posted by: Steve Davies | December 04, 2007 at 09:47 AM
There is actually a better version of this, that doesn't use direct samples. I do think it's funny when he says "Big brains are awesome, dude." Anyway, it is what is ..
Posted by: Noho1 | December 06, 2007 at 01:00 AM
It is baffling to behold, hard to listen to. His rhymes is tight, but I think the sampling of the older songs ruins it.
Posted by: ß&dragon | December 13, 2007 at 03:02 PM
"Ho" about this one, new from Dr BLT?
You're Not the Kinda Ho that Santa Had in Mind
http://www.drblt.net/music/HoRapDemo2.mp3
Posted by: Dr BLT | December 25, 2007 at 12:19 PM
James, kudos. thanks for mentioning that Endless Bummer compilation... I must track it down!
and yes props to wfmu.
Posted by: brendan | January 25, 2008 at 07:41 PM
"i said it was a sarcastic skewering of feminism."
Yep, I guess that would be a high school-level reading of it.
Posted by: EWG | May 07, 2008 at 02:36 PM