I Know There's An Answer

Dear Metropolis,

While your answer is articulate and convincing why do you have to be so dismissive? As we all know art can have many different interpretations. In Cultural Studies they have a term called heteroglossia. Hetero meaning many and glossia meaning meanings. Thus any piece of art can have limitless meanings. Even if you are correct in your observation that Brian Wilson wrote this beautiful song about battling shizophrenia that doesn't mean that is the one and only meaning. People bring their own ideological baggage when they engage with a text (i.e. a song, a movie, an advertisement, etc)and through the negotiation process with the text form their own meaning; even if it contradicts the dominant or intended meaning by the artist. That's why art is so enthralling and fun to debate.

Be well mrbunglemrbungle

If this song had a few samples playing on repeat in the background it could seamlessly fit into Panda Bear's Person Pitch. Person Pitch was widely considered one of the best and must cutting edge albums of 2007, and this song was recorded 40 years ago!

My father was Terry Sachen who was credited with cowriting this song. He died a long time ago and I often find myself googling his name, I miss him so much. I love that he lived such an interesting life, and I clearly remember the stories he told me about Brian Wilson. I'm glad their are things like this that can make me still feel connected to him.

Very ironic since he whises to help people with the issue defined in the first sentence by doin exactly the same thing. 'but i have to find it by myself'

Haha, Ihavegoodtaste you're funny, I hope that was a joke anyways. Brian is talking about wanting to know the answers to life, why were here, why other people think they have all the right answers on how to live. In reality nobody does, we're all just trying different things and hoping it works for us. he knows there's an answer to life and living but he also knows he has to find it by himself. just like the Dead say "And if you go, no one may follow, that path is for your steps alone."

brain wilson....wow!!!

This song and this album are both incredible. I'm surprised that not many people are commenting on it.

I love the timpani on this one; I suppose it's about trying to teach people about something as profound as living without a knee-jerk isolating reaction...and such things

F. Cassady. Yes but the original title of the song is HANG ON TO YOUR EGO. But Mike Love thought that no one would want to hear a song with that title, hence it was changed. Both versions are available on newer editions of PET SOUNDS.

I think its about being young and trying to find your own wings, the natural world. And struggling with control freaks who expect others to live as they live. I think its relevant today for many young people who are growing up in an increasingly geriatric society.