Tonight I saw such a brilliant performance by Huntington Beach High School's APA program. The Commercial Recording Arts Department has been working together as a band to perform the Beatles Rubber Soul as well as the Beach Boys Pet Sounds. Ya, I know It was a high school ensemble, whatever right? Um no, try there was about 40 people on stage performing the studio vocal parts for both albums in their entirety. Including a 14 piece string ensemble, a horn and flute ensemble, a baritone harmonica, accordion, and even the theremin in "Good Vibrations," which they graciously added a the end of the set. It was amazing.
If you are doing nothing Wed night... tonight now I guess. You should go. APA's Website
The whole show was good, but I couldn't silence the voice of jealousy in the back of my head. These kids are so fricking fortunate to have the experience to perform such amazing works as these at their age. It all struck me while they played the song "I Just Wasn't Made For This Time," even though it was unfamiliar to me, (yes I admit my Beach Boys ignorance) it immediately struck me as the crux of Brian Wilson's lyrical genius.
Striking at the heart of almost every dreamy headed youth. The feeling of not belonging in your era, ultimately the feeling of being misunderstood, or perhaps even more the feeling of not being able to express yourself. I felt like I could relate. Thats one reason why I love my car. It is from a different time. Someone could have listened to Led Zeppelin for the first time in that car. There are a million possibilities, but all of them are connected to the ideal good times I associate with the early 70's. Just like in Pet Sounds how Brian Wilson super-emphasizes the dreams, feelings, and the ideals of what are arguably the greatest years of our lives. Makes me long to be in high school in 1965.
But realistically... The 60's and the 70's were not ideal times for many reasons. Those times yielded many happy and successful people and many sad and unsuccessful people. Just like today. This is what struck me tonight. My success is not determined by the times, the economy, nor other's ideals. My success and happiness is determined by me. So while I may enjoy the wouldn't it be nice type thoughts that the Beach Boys harmonize so angelically, I need to remind myself that I am made for these times. And instead of longing for love unrequited blocked by certain circumstances. Blocked by the way things are. I can go after my success, and enjoy it here and now.
These are not ideal times, but that is OK... ideal times only exist in fiction.
I guess, ironically, this makes it the ideal time for me to move forward in my success. Wish me luck!
