Song of the Day 9/21: Barenaked Ladies, “Brian Wilson”

Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys has dementia, according to documents filed last week in California seeking new conservators for him following the death of his wife, Melinda, two weeks ago. The 81-year-old was described as described as “unable to properly provide for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.” His money’s in a trust, so this is just about his personal care.

It’s not a complete surprise. Wilson’s fragile mental state has dominated his public image for most of his life. He had his first nervous breakdown and stopped touring in 1964, when he was only 22, and was only sporadically able to harness his demons enough to create new music ever since. The highs were Himalayan, but it was only in the last two decades that was able to overcome his stage fright enough to perform in public again.

Steven Page, the Barenaked Ladies lead singer, identified with Wilson because he too struggled with both his weight and his mental health. “Brian Wilson” was one of the first songs he wrote and was included on the band’s first major-label release, “Gordon,” in 1992. Released as a single, it reached No. 18 in Canada.

The band hit it big in the U.S. in the mid-’90s with a live album, “Rock Spectacle,” that included the tune. Radio airplay prompted them to record a new, shorter studio version they dubbed “Brian Wilson 2000” for release as a single.

Brian Wilson himself covered it at his 2000 comeback concert at the Roxy in Los Angeles at his wife’s suggestion. He starts with the bridge, and with the Wondermints harmonizing it sounds like something Wilson wrote himself. The audience doesn’t realize it’s not until the chorus begins.