In the summer of 1966 Brian Wilson concentrated on finishing the next Beach Boys' single "Good Vibrations". It was as a long structured song taking a long time to record. With the success of "Pet Sounds" they loosened from their early surf sound. Brian invited session musician Van Dyke Parks to assist in creating the next album to be titled "Smile". It was planned to be a thematical album. Brian announced to his wife and friends that he was "writing a teenage symphony to God". He also planned many side projects with sound effect collages, a comedy album and a health food album. Capital Records didn't support his ideas and therefore Brian founded the Brother Records label.
Good Vibrations - single cover

Finally "Good Vibrations" was released in October 1966 and became their third #1 in the US. In the Netherlands it reached #2 and in the UK #1. It took a year to record "Smile". It was supposed to be released in the first half of 1967 but was repeatedly postponed by Brian Wilson and refused to come up with a final release because of his artistic perfectionism. Even a new album cover leacked. Meanwhile he started to suffer from delusions and paranoia. He even believed on one occasion that the possible album track "Fire" caused a building to burn down. Carl Wilson refused militairy service in January 1967 and was arrested in April by the FBI taking several years to resolve the matter. Finally "Smile" was shelved because of personal, technical and legal reasons. The Beach Boys even started a lawsuit against Capitol Records because of neglected royalty payments and were determined to leave Capitol Records. Many of Brian Wilson's associates including Parks disassiociated themselves for the band. After the legendary "Pet Sounds" it could have become their best work if all this didn't happen. For Brian Wilson it was a race and competition with the Beatles and feared his new album could be lost against what would become "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in 1967. For the rest of the band it were exhaustive recording sessions and became tired of Brian being the leader of the band.

Beach Boys in 1967

The Beach Boys attempted to tour Europe with four extra musicians in May 1967 but the British musicians' union didn't allow this. And they had to do it without these extra musicians which resulted in very weak performances. They refused to headline the Monterey Pop Festival in June which could've been an opportunity to promote their new music. 

Heroes And Villians - single cover

Because of contractual obligations they had to deliver an album soon. Therefore they created a simple relaxed remade version of "Smile" titled "Smiley Smile". The recording sessions were from June to July 1967. A much shorter time than the recording sessions they did for "Smile" which already took a year without a finishing result. They released a new single "Heroes And Villains" in July 1967 reaching #12 in the US, #10 in the Netherlands and #8 in the UK. The lawsuit with Capitol Records was resolved and they didn't have to release "Smile" but could release "Smiley Smile" instead.

Smiley Smile was released on September 18, 1967 and reached #41 in the US making it their worst-selling album so far. In the UK however it managed to reach #9. But over the years the album has grown in popularity. The intended "Smile" album was left unfinished and the band started working on a live album "Lei'd In Hawaii" that was also never released and the next studio album "Wild Honey".

Some of the excelent songs that were left out of "Smiley Smile" were shelved and released on later albums. In 2004 Brian Wilson released his own version of "Smile" titled "Brian Wilson Presents Smile". Finally in 2011 the "Smile" Sessions saw the light of day being released on a single CD, Double CD and Boxed set. It sounds heavenly and much better than the quickly recorded "Smiley Smile".

Original album cover

Smile (1967) - Intended tracklisting according to leacked album cover
Do You Like Worms / Wind Chimes / Heroes And Villains / Surf's Up / Good Vibrations / Cabin Essence / Wonderful / I'm In A Great Shape / Child Is The Father Man / The Elements / Vega-Tables / The Old Master Painter
Original album cover

Smiley Smile (1967)
Heroes and Villains / Vegetables / Fall Breaks and Back to Winter (W. Woodpecker Symphony) / She's Goin' Bald / Little Pad / Good Vibrations / With Me Tonight / Wind Chimes / Gettin' Hungry / Wonderful / Whistle In

Smile Sessions (2011)
Our Prayer / Gee / Heroes And Villains / Do You Like Worms (Roll Plymouth Rock) / I'm In Great Shape / Barnyard / My Only Sunshine / The Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine / Cabin Essence / Wonderful / Look (Song For Children) / Child Is Father Of The Man / Surf's Up / I Wanna Be Around / Workshop / Vega-Tables / Holidays / Wind Chimes / The Elements: Fire (Mrs. O'leary's Cow) / Love To Say Dada / Good Vibrations / You're Welcome / Heroes And Villains / Heroes And Villains Sections / Vega-Tables / He Gives Speeches / Smile Backing Vocals Montage / Surf's Up 1967 / Psycodelic Sounds: Brian Falls Into A Piano / Capitol Smile Promo


Surf's Up

Child Is The Father Of The Man

Wonderful

Cabin Essence