Remembering Brian Wilson with The Flintstones

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Written By Chris Well

“Love makes you do stupid things.” (Fred Flintstone)

Sad to learn about the passing of pop music legend Brian Wilson (1942-2025). One of the founding members of the Beach Boys, Wilson was a songwriter who also served as a singer, musician, and record producer.

He was often acclaimed for his clever approaches to pop music and served as an icon for so many who came after him. Over the coming days, lots of people will no doubt talk about Wilson’s contributions through the Beach Boys and as a solo artist. Wilson wrote so many amazing songs.

But I’m here to talk about “This Isn’t Love”—the song he wrote for the 2000 movie The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

This great Brian Wilson song made its debut in the movie, playing an interesting role in the overall plot. And then it gets performed during this scene—where bachelor Fred Flintstone wants to propose to his future wife, Wilma Slaghoople. I love this whole section of the movie. And I continually play the part where Fred sings Wilson’s then brand-new song “This Isn’t Love.”

If you have never watched the movie—(which I highly recommend)—there is actually lots of story taking place as the song is performed. (Which is why I almost always start to cry.)

The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas | Fred Proposes To Wilma

As for historic songwriter Brian Wilson, he apparently never released his own studio recording of “This Isn’t Love.” All that’s available is his live version. Which you can listen to below...

“This Isn’t Love” (Live At The Roxy Theater)

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Chris Well

Chris Well been a writer pretty much his entire life. (Well, since his childhood.) Over the years, he has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio, and books. He now is the chief of the website Monster Complex, celebrating monster stories in lit and pop culture. He also writes horror comedy fiction that embraces Universal Monsters, 1960s sitcoms, 1980s action movies, and the X-Files.

https://chriswell.substack.com/
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