Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson's 10 most iconic songs
Headphones on, stereo up. The Beach Boys' California Girls sounds massive. It is no doubt the result of Wilson's love and admiration for Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound', which lead to the song's use of guitar, horns, percussion and organ as its overture. The song is a sunshine-y good time – and would later inspire Katy Perry's California Gurls, among countless others. But most importantly, the song establishes the band – and Wilson's own – larger-than-life aspirations, where pop music could be both avant-garde and built of earworms.
1966: Wouldn't It Be Nice, The Beach Boys
Wilson's voice is the first one heard on the Beach Boys' unimpeachable Pet Sounds. 'Wouldn't it be nice if we were older? / Then we wouldn't have to wait so long,' he sings sweetly on the album's opener. 'And wouldn't it be nice to live together / In the kind of world where we belong?' Optimism and innocence are the name of the game, and the listener is the winner.
1966: God Only Knows, The Beach Boys
If Wilson must be known for one thing, let it be his inimitable sense of harmony, perfected across his craft and completely unignorable on God Only Knows, a masterclass in vocals, love, emotional depth, harpsichord and the intersection of all such forces.
God Only Knows is also one of Paul McCartney's favourite songs of all time, one known to bring him to tears.
1967: Good Vibrations, The Beach Boys
What kind of vibrations? Good, good, GOOD vibrations. And at a cost. As the story goes, one of the Beach Boys' best-known hits – and, arguably, one of the most immediately recognisable songs in rock'n'roll history – was recorded over seven months, in four different studios, reportedly costing up to $75,000. And it is an absolute masterpiece of theremin, cello, harmonica and so much more. Pop music has never been so ambitious – and successful.
1967: Heroes and Villains, The Beach Boys
Heroes and Villains might be one of the most complex songs in the Beach Boys' discography, and with good reason. It is the opener of Smile, what Wilson called a 'teenage symphony to God', a whimsical cycle of songs on nature and American folklore written with lyricist Van Dyke Parks. It was delayed, then cancelled, then rerecorded and issued in September 1967 on Smiley Smile, dismissed by Carl Wilson as a 'bunt instead of a grand slam'. In moments, Heroes and Villains is psychedelic; at other times, it embodies an otherworldly barbershop quartet. It is off-kilter and clever, as Wilson's band so often proved to be.
1967: Darlin ', The Beach Boys
The late '60s are an under-celebrated time in Wilson's creative oeuvre – no doubt an effect of his declining mental health – but there are many rich songs to dig into. Particularly the soulful, R&B, Motown-esque harmonies of Darlin '.
2004: Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel, Brian Wilson
As the story goes, Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel was originally recorded for his 1991 unreleased album Sweet Insanity but did not officially appear until it was rerecorded for his 2004 album Gettin' in Over My Head. The song features a bunch of programming, synths and percussion, which might strike Beach Boys fans as odd. But trust us, it works here.
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Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Perth Now
Metallica to McCartney: Which tribute to Brian Wilson captured his life?
Metallica's James Hetfield, Elton John, Carole King, Sting and Paul McCartney are among the music luminaries to pay tribute to the late Brian Wilson. As tributes continue to flow in, who truly captured the impact of the Beach Boys linchpin? In an interview with The Associated Press, Metallica frontman James Hetfield said: 'I think God Only Knows — that song is like one of the best written songs ever — and thank you, Brian, for that. May you rest in peace, we're going to miss you.' On Wednesday, Wilson's family confirmed his death in a statement to Instagram. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,' they wrote. 'Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Among the outpourings of grief from the music and entertainment industries has been multiple onstage tributes from acts like Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and The Police frontman Sting. 'Today, one of my heroes died,' Sting said during a concert in Germany just hours after the announcement of Wilson's passing. 'I want to sing a song that I love,' The Police frontman said before playing an acoustic rendition of the Beach Boys' God Only Knows. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong paid tribute to Brian Wilson by releasing a previously unreleased punk-leaning cover of I Get Around, calling it 'one of my all-time favourite songs ever'. He revealed the track had been shelved for years, sharing it on Instagram with a message of thanks. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The cover reimagines the 1964 Beach Boys hit with a gritty guitar riff and a faster tempo, honouring Wilson's legacy through a modern punk lens. Paul McCartney and his band have played a 575-capacity venue in New York. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP Paul McCartney took to Instagram, calling Wilson a 'musical genius'. 'Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, God Only Knows. Thank you, Brian. – Paul.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Beach Boy and Wilson's cousin Mike Love, who co-founded the band in 1961 with Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine, has also paid tribute. In a lengthy post on Instagram, he said: 'I'll miss you forever.' 'Brian, you once asked, 'Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?' Now you are timeless,' Love wrote in the post. 'May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight. 'Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. 'I'll miss you forever, my beloved cousin.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Bruce Springsteen's post across his social media dubbed Wilson 'the most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony'. 'He was also the visionary leader of America's greatest band, the Beach Boys. If there'd been no Beach Boys, there would have been no Racing In The Street. Listen to Summer's Gone from the Beach Boys' last album That's Why God Made The Radio and weep. Farewell, Maestro. Nothing but love and a lovely lasting debt from all of us over here on E Street.' Bruce Springsteen has performed in Canada opening with a song dedicated to women and freedom. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP Elton John's tribute named Wilson the 'biggest influence' on his songwriting. 'Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him. He sang Someone Saved My Life Tonight at a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played on his solo records, he sang on my album The Union, and even performed for my AIDS Foundation,' John wrote. 'I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood wrote on X/Twitter: 'Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson's genius magical touch!! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Meanwhile, Carole King took to Facebook to share that Wilson was her 'brother in songwriting'. 'Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting. We shared a similar sensibility, as evidenced by his 4 over 5 chord under 'Aaaah!' in Good Vibrations and mine under I'm Into Something Good. We once discussed who used it first, and in the end we decided it didn't matter. The world will miss Brian, but we are so lucky to have his music.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. John Lennon's son, the genre-blurring musician, producer and avant-garde artist Sean Ono Lennon, wrote his tribute on X/Twitter. 'Anyone who really knows me knows how heartbroken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one-of-a-kind genius from another world.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Meanwhile, Bob Dylan called him a 'genius' on X/Twitter: 'Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I've been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley said Wilson's work will influence generations to come. 'Brian Wilson has died. 'Genius' is a term used too often and too loosely. 'Tortured genius' even more so. Brian's astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and rest in peace.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Grammy-winning musician, producer, author, filmmaker and cultural commentator Questlove used his tribute to honour Wilson's secret power in songwriting. 'I know Orbison is the king of emo, but man if there was a human being who made art out of inexpressible sadness… damn it was Brian Wilson. 'I hate he went through what he went through to create Pet Sounds (also: Smile outtakes in my North Star) but man — without him I dunno how so many that came after felt safe to express a feeling of sadness that most humans would be otherwise ridiculed or punished for.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. From music's hallowed icons to Wilson's longtime familial collaborators, each tribute adds a stitch in the enduring tapestry of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. However, in this journalist's opinion, the most accurate portrayal of Wilson's impact is made clear in a post by his daughter, Carnie Wilson. The 57-year-old wrote on Instagram that he was 'every fibre' of her body. 'I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My father @brianwilsonlive was every fibre of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. 'I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I've never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he's resting up there in heaven … or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree, his mum. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy … I miss you so much already.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
ABC News
14 hours ago
- ABC News
God Only Knows Brian Wilson was a humble music fan, just like the rest of us
The troubled and sometimes estranged daughter of the musical genius Brian Wilson famously described her young life waking each morning to the same song being played by her father at full volume. Every single day. Carnie Wilson, herself an accomplished musician, said she would wake to the first heartbeat-like thumps of the song echoing through the house: DUM. Da-da da DUM. A familiar wall of sound would roll through the drumbeat, then the percussion would hit, and then the yearning lyrics to the Ronettes' smash hit, Be My Baby, would soar once again. The night we met I knew I/needed you so Brian Wilson, the founder of the Beach Boys, often described the 1963 classic as the greatest song he knew. "I felt like I wanted to try to do something as good as that record, and I never did. I've never stopped trying. It's the greatest record ever produced, no doubt." Listening to one great musician stand in awe of another's piece of music, sounding humble and joyous just like any other fan, is a wonderfully intimate thing. When you realise that Bruce Springsteen or Florence Welch are buying the same records you buy and are also standing in their living room with the volume up wondering, how do they do that, you understand how connected you all are as music fans. How you all attend the same church and sing the same hymns. It is a remarkable leveller when a great musician declares themselves simply another fan. Brian Wilson's enduring love of that gorgeous piece of pop makes him a kid singing at the top of his voice in the car, just like us. In the wake of Brian Wilson's death this week at the age of 82, generations of musicians have spoken about how much they loved his songs too, about how meaningful they have been in their lives as fans and musicians, and there is one song in particular that they keep coming back to. Shall I try to list them all, the artists who say that the Beach Boys, the album Pet Sounds, and that one song have been some of the most important songs in their lives? Patti Smith, Bruno Mars, Iggy Pop, Elton John, Paul Simon, Janelle Monae, Carole King, Leonard Bernstein, Smokey Robinson, the Gibb brothers, The Eagles… I'll have to stop there, but will finish of course with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were unabashed fans. The two bands inspired each other and competed with each other in their early days. The Beatles' Rubber Soul spurred Brian to write Pet Sounds, which in turn sparked Sergeant Peppers: the best kind of rivalry when fans get the benefits. But what of this one song — the one song that all these musicians and others reference when they say it's one of the greatest ever written? The night Brian died, the singer-songwriter Sting was on tour in Germany, and this is how he commemorated him. The simple purity of God Only Knows, and the glorious harmonies of its recorded version have become a touchstone of modern music, and a shared password of musical passion: if someone you like likes this song too, then you're going to be just fine. Paul McCartney wrote on Instagram this week: "Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time." I've written before about how our most beloved musicians close a door on our early, formative lives as music fans when they die. We get to keep their music, but our connection to that thrilled, younger self gets ever more distant, and they seem to take an understanding of us with them. They have the secret of us because of our love for them. For many this week Brian was that idol, and I know when another goes, we all privately review the list of those who remain and dread the inevitable news of their loss one day. I've checked my list. For now, they are all here, although so many are missing. But I can still play their songs to keep them close. This weekend, read about the Melbourne eccentric who kept the people and faces of his city alive with a photo booth that nobody thought was anything more than an amusement. The persistence of memory, again. Have a safe and happy weekend, and here is just a handful of great artists who revere that Brian Wilson song, all in perfect harmony, to celebrate the BBC's enduring love of music, just like ours. Go well. Virginia Trioli is presenter of Creative Types and a former co-host of ABC News Breakfast and Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne.
7NEWS
17 hours ago
- 7NEWS
From Metallica to McCartney: Which tribute to Brian Wilson truly captured his impact?
Metallica's James Hetfield, Elton John, Carole King, Sting and Paul McCartney are among the music luminaries to pay tribute to the late Brian Wilson. As tributes continue to flow in, who truly captured the impact of the Beach Boys linchpin? In an interview with The Associated Press, Metallica frontman James Hetfield said: 'I think God Only Knows — that song is like one of the best written songs ever — and thank you, Brian, for that. May you rest in peace, we're going to miss you.' On Wednesday, Wilson's family confirmed his death in a statement to Instagram. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,' they wrote. 'Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.' Loading Instagram Post Among the outpourings of grief from the music and entertainment industries has been multiple onstage tributes from acts like Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and The Police frontman Sting. 'Today, one of my heroes died,' Sting said during a concert in Germany just hours after the announcement of Wilson's passing. 'I want to sing a song that I love,' The Police frontman said before playing an acoustic rendition of the Beach Boys' God Only Knows. Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong paid tribute to Brian Wilson by releasing a previously unreleased punk-leaning cover of I Get Around, calling it 'one of my all-time favourite songs ever'. He revealed the track had been shelved for years, sharing it on Instagram with a message of thanks. The cover reimagines the 1964 Beach Boys hit with a gritty guitar riff and a faster tempo, honouring Wilson's legacy through a modern punk lens. Paul McCartney took to Instagram, calling Wilson a 'musical genius'. 'Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, God Only Knows. Thank you, Brian. – Paul.' Beach Boy and Wilson's cousin Mike Love, who co-founded the band in 1961 with Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine, has also paid tribute. In a lengthy post on Instagram, he said: 'I'll miss you forever.' 'Brian, you once asked, 'Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?' Now you are timeless,' Love wrote in the post. 'May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight. 'Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. 'I'll miss you forever, my beloved cousin.' Bruce Springsteen's post across his social media dubbed Wilson 'the most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony'. 'He was also the visionary leader of America's greatest band, the Beach Boys. If there'd been no Beach Boys, there would have been no Racing In The Street. Listen to Summer's Gone from the Beach Boys' last album That's Why God Made The Radio and weep. Farewell, Maestro. Nothing but love and a lovely lasting debt from all of us over here on E Street.' Elton John's tribute named Wilson the 'biggest influence' on his songwriting. 'Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him. He sang Someone Saved My Life Tonight at a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played on his solo records, he sang on my album The Union, and even performed for my AIDS Foundation,' John wrote. 'I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.' Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood wrote on X/Twitter: 'Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson's genius magical touch!! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.' Meanwhile, Carole King took to Facebook to share that Wilson was her 'brother in songwriting'. 'Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting. We shared a similar sensibility, as evidenced by his 4 over 5 chord under 'Aaaah!' in Good Vibrations and mine under I'm Into Something Good. We once discussed who used it first, and in the end we decided it didn't matter. The world will miss Brian, but we are so lucky to have his music.' John Lennon's son, the genre-blurring musician, producer and avant-garde artist Sean Ono Lennon, wrote his tribute on X/Twitter. 'Anyone who really knows me knows how heartbroken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one-of-a-kind genius from another world.' Meanwhile, Bob Dylan called him a 'genius' on X/Twitter: 'Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I've been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian.' Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley said Wilson's work will influence generations to come. 'Brian Wilson has died. 'Genius' is a term used too often and too loosely. 'Tortured genius' even more so. Brian's astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and rest in peace.' Grammy-winning musician, producer, author, filmmaker and cultural commentator Questlove used his tribute to honour Wilson's secret power in songwriting. 'I know Orbison is the king of emo, but man if there was a human being who made art out of inexpressible sadness… damn it was Brian Wilson. 'I hate he went through what he went through to create Pet Sounds (also: Smile outtakes in my North Star) but man — without him I dunno how so many that came after felt safe to express a feeling of sadness that most humans would be otherwise ridiculed or punished for.' From music's hallowed icons to Wilson's longtime familial collaborators, each tribute adds a stitch in the enduring tapestry of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. However, in this journalist's opinion, the most accurate portrayal of Wilson's impact is made clear in a post by his daughter, Carnie Wilson. The 57-year-old wrote on Instagram that he was 'every fibre' of her body. 'I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My father @brianwilsonlive was every fibre of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. 'I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I've never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he's resting up there in heaven … or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree, his mum. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy … I miss you so much already.'
