2000 Great Songs #1390: Never Learn Not To Love

Our first Beach Boys track on the list not written by Brian Wilson is a doozy. Written and sung by brother Dennis, "Never Learn Not To Love"--a 1968 b-side later included on 1969's stylistic hodge-podge yet underrated 20/20--is about as close as the band ever got to real psychedelia. Sure, the legendary, long-concealed Smile was strangely inventive, but the music was colorful more than outright trippy; whereas this sounds like the work of somebody who's definitely been indulging himself.

Of course, the song's real claim to fame is its adaptation from a song called "Cease To Exist," written by one Charles Manson, an aspiring songwriter who, along with his followers, spent some time with Dennis before certain events transpired. (Manson did not receive a songwriting credit, but was instead paid in cash and a motorcycle, though accounts vary.) It's hard to say whether the song would be quite as interesting stripped of that context--I supposed I'd have elevated a few more Pet Sounds or Smile tracks before landing here--but it's pretty cool in its own right, particularly the harmonies (of course) and a good reminder that the band did some really fine work long after the surf/girls singles of the early 60s had dried up.

(That said, the most troubling thing about the song--more so than the Manson association--is that Wilson's pronunciation of "I'm your kind, and I see" has always sounded to me like "I'm your kind of Nazi," which can make it a tough listen.)

On the Mike Douglas show, 1969:

Single version:

Charles Manson's "Cease To Exist" (ultimately released in 1970):

Redd Kross cover of "Cease To Exist":

Psychic Ills cover of "Cease":

The Psychic Ills again, this time with "Never Learn":

The Telescopes' "Never":

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