AVC: What gave you the idea to compose so many small bits of music?
BW: Well, we were taking drugs, you know? And the drugs inspired us to make music. We got too deep into it because of the drugs, that's all. That's how it was.
AVC: What kind of drugs are you talking about?
BW: Hashish, benzedrine, methamphetamine, LSD, and marijuana.
AVC: Smile is often described as a "spiritual" album. How do you describe the spirituality that you hear in it?
BW: Well, "Surf's Up" depicts a special mood. The words are very pictorial and poetic—you can see with the words. "Columnated ruins domino"... You can just see that, you know? "I'm broken but too tough to cry"... You can just hear that guy. The images, the poetic images, are very beautiful, and I think that's what gives it spirituality.
AVC: What was it like writing the songs with Van Dyke Parks?
BW: Working with Van Dyke was a bit of a test for me because of credibility, so I was tested. It was a great test for me to hang out with him, someone that good at music and at lyrics. It was quite a challenge.
AVC: How much of a role did you have in writing the lyrics?
BW: None.
AVC: Did you talk about what you wanted the songs to be about?
BW: No. He's the one who came up with the original ideas, and I just helped. I followed him.
AVC: Did he play a role in composing any of the music?
BW: No.
AVC: What was the reaction from the remaining Beach Boys after Smile came out last year?
BW: I don't know. I haven't spoken with them in so long, I have no idea what they think.
AVC: How long has it been?
BW: Seven years.
AVC: Do you want to talk to them?
BW: No. We parted ways. It's like when a guy gets a divorce from his wife. You part ways. That's what I did with The Beach Boys.
AVC: In the movie, you mention that you felt like the world was finally ready to hear Smile. What made you think that?
BW: Well, actually, it was my wife's idea to finish it. And I said, "I agree," and we did it.
AVC: It came out at a time when a lot of people talked about the need to remember elements from the '60s. Did that play a role in the decision?
BW: Well, I figured that television was moving fast enough to make you dizzy, you know? You almost get dizzy from how fast TV went, you know? So we were into making people dizzy, because I figured, "If TV is going to make me that dizzy and screw with my head, then we'll fight back with Smile and show people how fast we can move."
AVC: Does it sound like a weird album to you now?
BW: No, it sounds like a very happy album.
AVC: What are your plans now that Smile has been completed?
BW: Well, we just completed a Christmas album. We have eight traditional songs, two Brian Wilson originals, and two Beach Boys songs. We just finished it up last week. Can I add something to all of this? Phil Spector has inspired me to make a rock 'n' roll album this year. I'm inspired by his records. I'm determined to make a record as good as Phil Spector's.
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