12-16-18
On an album with numerous other heavy hits why go with this one? My inspiration for using a Beach Boys song is not because I’m a fan—don’t get me wrong, I appreciate their music—however ever since learning more about Brian Wilson, and the process behind making Pet Sounds I have been in “Awe” of the process of creation that went in to creating it.
In I Just Wasn’t Made For This Time, Brian Wilson pens a letter to an audience that hasn’t found a way to appreciate all of Wilson’s “genius.” When I first heard this song, I didn’t care for it one bit. I didn’t get it at all; and though I may still hit the next button, I have grown to really appreciate this particular song. There’s so much going on… maybe a little too much, and in most instances when this happens it’s because there’s too much effort and overthinking going into the product. After really delving deeper into this album, and specifically this song, I believe this is a rare instance in the audience being unable to capture all of what Wilson was creating, and Brian Wilson being limited by technology, technique, and probably general physics.
Pet Sounds was a host to an onslaught of never before used instruments, recorded sounds, and recording techniques. It helped the progression of music in incalculable ways. On a record with numerous chart toppers, it’s easy for someone giving a cursory glance of the Beach Boys to miss. I feel like that term “genius” can be used to liberally, diminishing its effect, and I don’t know if Brian Wilson is a “genius.” Part me here’s a person battling with their ego, and craving recognition for it. On the other hand his amazing collection of work does sing volumes about his creative prowess, so I suppose “genius” isn’t a stretch.
I’m reminded by Jean “Moebius” Giraud, another person who struggled with trying to reconcile their “genius” and the general interpretation of their work. He said:
“[We] artists can only go as far as the people can follow us. We are not alone; we are part of a system. We can take risks, but if your want to go to the peak of your consciousness, you may very well find yourself alone. Even if you know how to translate what you saw, maybe only ten people will be able to understand what you tell. But if you have faith in your vision and retell it again and again, you will start noticing that, after a time, more people will begin to catch up with you.”
This is the same sentiment I found in I Just Wasn’t Made For This Time, and for that I do stand in awe.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I keep looking for a place to fit
Where I can speak my mind
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin’ for myself
But what goes wrong
[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
[Verse 2]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Each time things start to happen again
I think I got something good goin’ for myself
But what goes wrong
[Chorus]
Sometimes I feel very sad
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)
Sometimes I feel very sad
(Can’t find nothin’ I can put my heart and soul into)
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
[Outro]
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times
I guess I just wasn’t made for these times