Wouldn’t It Be Nice - The Beach Boys | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@andyandalex]

Here's the link to the full album reaction if you'd like to see it and haven’t already! 🔥 Less than a water bottle! 💦 www.patreon.com/posts/42370265

[@topgazza]

@@Great-Documentaries Sorry Sean you're talking out of your behind. How come the Beach Boys were arguably more popular in the UK than in the States ? Fact is they played the tracks live when they performed them. But Brian made the album when they were on tour of Japan and couldn't wait. The complexity of the music that Brian had in his head would have meant using studio musicians anyway. No shame in that. Did the Beatles play the orchestral parts on Sgt Peppers ? Or did they use, gasp, an orchestra ? The music creation are all Brian and vocals and harmonies are all Brian, Carl, Mike, Dennis and Al. The Beach Boys were one of the top live bands at the time and were quite brilliant. You don't like the album. Fine but stop spouting utter garbage as you clearly don't know what you're talking about

[@mixdawg]

Listen to California Girls next

[@helenespaulding7562]

Great idea guys…to post a kinda “teaser” for your Patreon channel. But also a great post in its own right. Yeah, talk about avant-garde for the times….Pet Sounds was definitely it. It was challenging to its listeners. And then Sgt Pepper came along and we were all “what was THAT?” It took a few listens to become comfortable with it, but hell, it was a Beatles album, so it was, dare I say it, obligatory to like it. And after a few listens, we all LOVED it”. That was the power that The Beatles had over the popular music of that time….they didn’t follow a trend, they SET the trend, snd we followed. They were like The Pied Piper…..snd we happily followed them wherever they took us

[@stephanieo2509]

@@Great-Documentaries And the Wrecking Crew are the first to say that they played what Brian wanted them to, that he was in charge and knew exactly what he wanted. And that they all loved working with him.

[@terriemartinez9989]

My brother was into thebeachboys .. LOL. Great song to start you out. 👍 🇺🇸✌🇺🇸❤🇺🇸🤘🇺🇸

[@dggydddy59]

Musically, composition-wise, "God Only Knows" is one of the most stunning 3-minute pop love songs in all of recorded music. If not THEE most!!

[@usermo]

It's also Paul McCartney's favorite song

[@Himmiefan]

Yes!

[@usermo]

@@Himmiefan hey thanks for the confirmation! 🤘

[@lhpl]

_The_ most, certainly. My eyes flood just by thinking of it, I don't need to actually hear it, the entire song is securely and permanently implanted in my brain.

[@charlesciranni8187]

Paul McCartney drove his family crazy by playing GOK repeatedly for several days.

[@sjoh104041]

Went to see the Beach Boys in the late seventies in Rochester, NY. There was a snowstorm that night and only about 200 people showed up to a large venue. Being true professionals the Beach Boys played anyway. They took requests, spent time talking to the audience. Many were dancing. It was a great night I will never forget.

[@andrewyoung8998]

Hey, I live in Rochester!😎✌️

[@jasonremy1627]

That's awesome!

[@jimreadey4837]

That does sound awesome! I saw the *Beach Boys* in the summer of 1976 at a sold-out Foxboro (New England Patriots) Stadium, which included a fully-populated playing-field, as well. Not the same experience, but fun! (Oh, yeah: Their "warm-up" band was *Chicago.)*

[@virginiatressider5753]

I saw them in Sydney in 1978. Outdoor gig, with the rain absolutely urinating down. I got drenched, my shoes were ruined, and it was still worth it. MY GOD IT WAS WET, THOUGH.

[@EddyMetal60]

That had to be 1978. I lived in Webster at the time.

[@gdvanc]

Back in the day, listening to the Beach Boys was like being blasted by California sunshine anytime or anywhere - they were so tied to that vibe that even through the increasing complexity of Brian's production work it always made you feel that.

[@Wordsmyth8]

Great way of putting it.

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

Yep, they are the "National Band of California" if your are from the Southern California beach community. They capture it perfectly. Atmosphere

[@60sbaby456]

Yeah, everyone wanted to go to california!

[@johnhalverson1133]

Gotta admit California sunshine sounds nice when you are in a Midwest winter.

[@DM-hk4cw]

The Wrecking Crew were the only ones able to pull this off. Wilson was a genius at writing and gave out score sheets to the musicians and some were in different keys: but somehow it blended and gave an edge. The bass line, played by Carol Kaye, took off from the song "Be My Baby" from Ronnie Spector (RIP). That wall of sound you hear is the classic Phil Spector sound. Great writer, great musicians, great singing, great production and great sound studio equals a masterpiece of an album.

[@VU-WakeUp]

YES! All praise to The Wrecking Crew!

[@Bassman2353]

Wrecking Crew members Hal Blaine and Carol Kaye spoke reverentially about doing these sessions. They were absolutely blown away with the music. And the played on thousands of sessions.

[@robertwinship8367]

Carol Kaye and Hal Blaine, enough said. Greatness…

[@jonnygonehawking380]

the wrecking crew documentary is really good

[@janetstadtmiller8753]

The Wrecking Crew documentary was throughly entertaining, informative and fascinating..had me tapping my toes big time.

[@acouzticguitarr2288]

Watching “The Wrecking Crew” would add a perspective on how so many hits were made that so few of us had until years later.

[@cazgerald9471]

The Wrecking Crew, the Funk Brothers, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Swampers, The Section (aka Mellow Mafia)

[@bafalan]

Ditto, excellent documentary.

[@Thejazzfan66]

The Wrecking Crew is one of the best movies I’ve seen regarding the creation of music.

[@moniphil]

“God Only Knows” is considered by many to be the greatest pop song of the rock era … or ever. Hard to argue with that. McCartney said “it’s one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it. It’s really just a love song, but it’s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian,.”

[@Rickybwah]

Gotta hit “In myRoom” and “God Only Knows”. Both real emotional songs.

[@robbylong2748]

@@Rickybwah and Don’t Worry Baby

[@Wordsmyth8]

Brian Wilson was the genius behind The Beach Boys. The harmonies and production in all of their songs is beautiful. But all of their music has that beachy sound that they essentially created along with a few other acts. My all-time favorite Beach Boys song that I recommend you check out is Don’t Worry Baby. I could listen to that song 10,000 times and never get tired of it.

[@richardfurness7556]

To my ears Don't Worry Baby is the song where Brian casts off into the unknown and creates something truly original. Seldom equalled, never bettered.

[@janetwilke9829]

I agree 100%....it NEVER gets old!

[@robbylong2748]

Surfs Up is another masterpiece

[@theccpisaparasite8813]

Ditto, love that song. Considering it just about some idiot getting in a hot rod race ... just love it.

[@nancymar5835]

I bought this “Pet Sounds” album when it came out when I began dating my husband in 1966. He was drafted soon after and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” became our song. When he returned home from his overseas tour we were engaged and then married 8 months later, when his military service was over. We celebrated our 54th anniversary last fall. This song remains a treasured memory. ❤ Then entire album was a gem.

[@topgazza]

I had the Beatles in the UK from day one. Then I discovered The Beach Boys and my ears starting bleeding. Brian wrote the music and produced the albums at the age of 21. I've met Brian Wilson twice in the UK after solo gigs and I could do nothing but ramble on in awe. Wonderful you've done this. Thank you

[@jamuirhead]

Brian Wilson wrote the music and produced. He and Tony Asher wrote the lyrics. The Wrecking Crew played the instruments.

[@stevelucero9047]

a 23 year old Brian Wilson at that...

[@surlechapeau]

Many artists didn't have bands and used: The Funk Brothers-1959-1972 various Motown; The Wrecking Crew- 1960’s to early 70s various pop/rock (& backing vocals). The Memphis Horns; Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section; Muscle Shoals Horns; The Nashville A Team. Note: Steely Dan (Don-vocals, keys, Walter- Guitars) just found the best session musicians around to play on songs they wrote.

[@zephead64]

I have been wanting to mention how important 'The Wrecking Crew' was to artists such as Wilson/Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas. To Alex and Andy.. please do yourself a favor and read up on who the Wrecking Crew were. You will be AMAZED by how many hit songs & artists had been utilized by the members of that musicians collective.

[@SpaceCattttt]

And to think that they did all that.....just so that you could write a comment about it, one day!

[@comedycomedy6888]

But Carl sometimes played guitar, no?

[@WalkerStalker]

The 60’s had some heavy hitters for Producers: George Martin, Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, Eddie Kramer, and the great Berry Gordy for example.

[@matthewdrake4385]

Great call

[@clintatk]

Absolutely.

[@auckalukaum]

Was Quincey Jones around that early or did he come in during the 70s? Edit: OK, so he was producing Sinatra in the 50s, so he was definitely around and a major player in the 60s. Add him to the list :)

[@George-gk5bu]

Let's not forget Bob Johnson who produced for Dylan, Cash, Simon and Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen and Willie Nelson. The records he produced sold over 500,000,000 units.

[@dennisturocy8825]

Brian Wilson was the creative one. He wrote most the songs. He used the Wrecking Crew to record the instruments and the Beach Boys added the vocals only. There is a documentary explaining this. The Beatles loved the Beach Boys and Pet Sounds inspired the Sgt. Peppers album.

[@mattpobursky850]

Between the Wrecking Crew and The Swampers more hits of the 60's and 70's were made than most people realize or know. Literally 1000's. Anyone who loves music should watch the documentaries on The Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals. Totally awesome.

[@DerekDominoes]

Really hope these guys check out the Wrecking Crew documentary.

[@mattpobursky850]

@@DerekDominoes As an old drummer, both the Wrecking Crew and Swampers had two of the best drummers ever (Hal Blaine and Roger Hawkins, respectively). Those guys were badass and could play anything, any time, any genre.

[@gregsager2062]

The Beatles were absolutely huge Beach Boys fans, as well as friendly rivals of Brian Wilson & Co. Paul McCartney has gone on record numerous times in stating that "God Only Knows" is his all-time favorite song.

[@huertagreene]

Dudes, many of these producers and artists are still around! Make it your goal to ask them!!

[@LoyalDogg]

I want to steer you toward researching "The Wrecking Crew", who were the studio musicians on this album. They are probably the most accomplished set of studio players ever assembled. (Glen Campbell was one of them!) Played on many of the greatest Motown songs as well. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecking_Crew_(music)

[@bobrob2004]

Yes, there's even a documentary with them, which is a must watch of any fans of 1960s music. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecking_Crew_(2008_film)

[@LoyalDogg]

And if I remember the documentary correctly, the rest of the Boys weren't happy about not playing their own instruments, but they just didn't have the chops to play what Brian Wilson wanted.

[@MplsTodd]

Agree with you about the Wrecking Crew, but Wrecking Crew did NOT play on Motown, that would be The Funk Brothers.

[@elainemarsh3477]

The Wrecking Crew doc is definitely worth your time. A real eye opener for those who don't know anything about them.

[@bobrob2004]

And London also had some great session musicians, including Jimmy Page before he joined the Yardbirds and John Paul Jones before joining Led Zeppelin.

[@billmann6278]

I'm glad that more people are starting to catch on about how important of a band the Wrecking Crew was to all of us rock fans back then. Too many hit songs from too many famous groups to even begin to list.

[@nyrocks5580]

I've always loved that song. Take the advice of a number of other people here and look into The Wrecking Crew's history. You will find it fascinating, for sure.

[@lesscarmel5527]

In your copious free time, I highly recommend tracking down the Pet Sounds sessions tapes where you can hear the vocal tracks separate from the musical tracks. Brian Wilson could just hear this all in his head and knew exactly what he wanted from the studio musicians. He is truly a genius.

[@jonroberts2445]

I heard a good interview where Paul McCartney reckoned that God Only Knows was the one song he had wished he had written. Man, that's high praise.

[@allisonreed7682]

“Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true” has to be my favorite of all of The Beach Boys lyrics. I love the alliteration. Please check out the Chicago song “Wishing You Were Here.” It has Terry Kath singing lead, Peter Cetera singing the bridge, and several members of The Beach Boys singing harmony vocals. It is atmospheric and sublime.

[@leonkaye7544]

Didn't the beach boys sing on s and g Cecilia?

[@allisonreed7682]

@@leonkaye7544 Not sure. I tried looking it up and didn’t find anything about it but I’d definitely love to know for sure…

[@ericminch]

What alliteration? "we" and "wish"?

[@davidstranahan480]

Brian Wilson is a genius. He arranged all this music in his head. The challenge was getting the session players to play what was already in is head.

[@jeffjacobson59]

And it literally drove him crazy

[@stevemd6488]

Paul McCartney said the first time he heard "God Only Knows" he was driving in CA and had to pull off the road he was crying so hard.

[@jmhaces]

Dennis Wilson, the "least famous" Wilson brother who usually didn't get to write songs for the Beach Boys, has a solo record called "Pacific Ocean Blue" that is really good. I stumbled upon by accident years ago and ended up loving it as much, if not more, than Pet Sounds.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Yay! I mentioned that album before I saw your comment. I have it and love it, I've recommended it to a lot of people over the years. None have regretted it.

[@tedcole9936]

Agreed, what I've heard of Pacific Ocean Blue, will have to give it some more listens. Thanks. Another less-well-known Beach Boys masterpiece IMHO is "Holland" - I really love this Beach Boys album, and though Brien didn't write many songs on it, I feel that in some way his influence was there - Holland, to me was an acknowledgement by the rest of the Band that Brian was right, after all - Holland has some trippy and beautiful moments, it sure ain't the "old formula" of cars and surf and girls Beach Boys. The California Suite on Holland elevates far above that, and "Leaving This Town" has a hypnotic musical interlude that you can really drift away on...

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

@@tedcole9936 Holland, when I was a kid in England, was an acronym you put on love letters or Valentines cards. It stood for "Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies". Haven't heard it, I don't think. Will seek it out and Pacific Ocean Blue is just a lovely album to float away on.

[@mattcaporuscio6956]

I’m not sure if I would say Dennis Wilson is the least famous Wilson but he’s definitely not at Brian Wilson’s level. Dennis Wilson was The Beach Boys identity because he was only member in the band that was a real surfer and hot rodder which the majority of The Beach Boys hits are based on what Dennis did in his personal life.

[@chopagain739]

But Dennis got all the girls....

[@rickgibson4641]

Brian battled schizophrenia and although it benefited him creativity , it hindered him in every other way. He hallucinated music and had so much he wanted to get out but it was his personal struggles with the disease that disabled him. The John B was not written by BW , it’s an old folk song from the Bahamas (or somewhere around there).

[@2011littlejohn1]

It was a hit in the UK for Lonnie Donegan long before the Beach Boys recorded it.

[@robbylong2748]

Kingston Trio

[@bkshields76]

Sail On Sailor is my favorite Beach Boys song ever. Love the classics.

[@TammiePhillips]

Same!

[@jowsmith1904]

great great song, my fave is darlin".

[@GoldTop57]

What you said at the beginning was true, but also Brian Wilson said that the reason he made pet sounds was because he heard rubber soul by The Beatles and wanted to make an album like that, or better than that. So they pushed each other

[@WhatInTheActualHealth]

Paul McCartney has said many times that "Pet Sounds" in his favorite album and he bought a copy on vinyl for each of his children, for their birthdays, when they became old enough to appreciate it. He also has said that "God Only Knows" is a "perfect song"... High praise from the man who wrote "Hey Jude"...

[@connorwatson6766]

What a coincidence that I've been trying to get you to react to Glen Campbell, and he was the guitarist who took over when one of the Beach Boys couldn't play anymore, and he was the guitarist for The Wrecking Crew who actually played the instruments on this album. You already love Glenn Campbell and you didn't know it.

[@gregsager2062]

He actually took over on bass for the Beach Boys on their 1964 and 1965 tours, not guitar. The band's guitarists were Carl Wilson and Al Jardine. Campbell replaced Brian Wilson on tour, after Brian had a nervous breakdown and had to return home -- a fortuitous turn of events, as it turned out, because it allowed him to spend all of his time in the studio concocting Beach Boys music and making the likes of *Pet Sounds* and "Good Vibrations" possible. Glen Campbell was one of several Wrecking Crew guitarists who contributed parts to *Pet Sounds* -- the others being Barney Kessel, Tommy Tedesco, Al Casey, Bill Pitman, Jerry Cole, Mike Deasy, and Billy Strange.

[@TheCkent100]

You should listen to the acapella version of that song. The harmonies, and the sychronization of the voices is incredible.

[@doctorbuzzard10]

The first “run run wee-oooooh” is electrifying.

[@mysticmavens811]

Oh my God I just heard this a cappella for the first time - just stunning

[@TheCkent100]

@@mysticmavens811 they did a lot of "alternate versions" of songs from the "Pet Sounds" album, released in a special edition of the album. Some were a capella versions. Unfortunately, the special edition is kind of expensive. But you can find this one and a few others on the more reasonably priced "Perfect Harmony" cd.

[@kestrelle5345]

Another huge group around this time was The Lovin' Spoonful. "Summer in the City." "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" "Do You Believe in Magic?"

[@Kim-hc5si]

Layers and layers and layers of beauty and light.

[@RicG.]

There were some outstanding producers back during that time, although they didn't get the publicity they do today. Leon Russel, who became a huge solo star in his own right in the early 1970's, worked on a lot of the Beach Boy sessions as co-producer/pianist. He was also a member of the group of musicians called The Wrecking Crew who had influence on the productions of numerous other hit songs coming out of L.A. during the 60's and 70's. Also, producer Phil Spector, created what became known as "The Wall of Sound". So, producers back in the day, did have a HUGE role in the music. Just do a little research and you'll understand what I'm saying is true.

[@gbb1797]

Let's not forget Sir George Martin, long referred to as "the fifth Beatle." Endlesly credited as a key contributor to masterpieces produced by the Beatles and other top artists.

[@RicG.]

@@gbb1797 Yes you are correct. Another great English producer was Glyn Johns, who produced records by The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, etc.

[@surlechapeau]

Props to the Lyricists! They are often the forgotten half of great songwriting teams, where one does music, the other lyrics.

[@susanaltman5134]

Tony Asher was the lyricist for Pet Sounds.

[@janetwilke9829]

Tony Asher wrote the lyrics and he got plenty of praise.

[@MrPhilipBallard]

Don’t forget Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. Huge inspiration to Brian Wilson.

[@steveandme63]

Yes, I went to just about every concert in a 100 mile radius when I was 17-18. And I'm talking about AC/DC, Boston, Eagles, Doogie Brothers, Kansas, Cheap Trick but the 3 Beach Boys concerts I saw were just so fun and happy. My boyfriend was always afraid someone would see him there!

[@ajaxfernsby4078]

Although I grew up to this music, after hearing your reaction I want to go back and listen to it again through your ears. So I did.

[@ericchadwick3019]

You have to read about Brian Wilson vs. Phil Spector as producers. Phil Spector, nuts as he was, produced great records.

[@HamiltonRb]

Brian Wilson was a bit whacky himself, but you are right, they were both brilliant

[@Jimbo_Bluff]

Brian Wilson was considered that generation's Mozart. The pressure to top Sgt. Pepper's broke him, and sent him into a descent of depression that he didn't emerge from for the better part of 20 years. But he was a musical genius.

[@hubjohnner]

Is. Is a musical genius. ;-)

[@Mr5thWave]

That, and the pressure of his father/manager.

[@lhpl]

I never thought much of BB, until 2005 or so, when I stumbled upon Brian's 2004 "B.W. presents SMiLE", his very late completion of the almost mythical SMiLE album. It turned me completely into a BW fan after the first listen, and I heard it nonstop for at least a week. Then I went on to Pet Sounds and was mindblown _again_ . The 2004 SMiLE is still my preferred version although more "authentic" versions have been made from the original recordings. I was fortunate enough to attend both the 50th anniversary/reunion tour and Brian's own Pet Sounds anniversary tour. I can enjoy all BB music now, but Brian's work still stands out above the rest. He has also done great stuff solo, and considering what he has been through, and his age, he is just amazing in his achievements. A genius _and_ a living legend.

[@cobaltcanarycherry]

@@Mr5thWave Their father screwed them out of so much money selling the catalog on the cheap.

[@jamessollazzo4860]

nut job who lived in a shed

[@evillemike2009]

On writing/producing: Ronstadt tells a story about being in studio with Brian Wilson "In the studio, under Brian’s direction, we recorded his harmony parts for “Adios” with five separate tracks of unison singing on each of the three parts, fifteen vocal tracks in all. He didn’t seem concerned if some of the tracks veered slightly out of tune, but took advantage of the slight “chorused” effect it created when he came back into the control room to mix the harmony tracks into the creamy vocal smoothness instantly recognizable as the Beach Boys." "Brian was making up the harmonies as he went along, but sometimes, when he was having difficulty figuring out a complicated section, he would scold himself and say that he needed to work for a time at the piano. However, when he sat down at the piano, he never played any part of “Adios,” but instead would play a boogie-woogie song, very loud in a different key. After a few minutes of this he would go back to the microphone and sing the parts perfectly, without a trace of hesitation."

[@DiscountDeity]

Producers prior to the mid-60s were often A&R men, in charge of scouting the talent, recording them, and marketing them. The specialized "sonic artistry" of production was basically invented by Phil Spector, the Beatles, and, well, this record.

[@TheDivayenta]

Guys- check out the documentary “ The Wrecking Crew” . This group of iconic studio musicians played on thousands of 60’s and 70’s pop records - it will blow your mind. Brian also loved to recreate Phil Spector’s “ wall of sound” production. I loved Brian’s key changes in his songs.

[@cazgerald9471]

Lou Phillips or Phil Spector?

[@TheDivayenta]

@@cazgerald9471 thanks for the correction- will fix!

[@tommathews3964]

It's physically impossible to frown while listening to Beach Boys music!

[@brentcox7772]

The harmonies made me a fan back in the 60’s!!🤘🔥

[@ammie8659]

Saw them in Santa Barbara early 1970s, at UCSB. Concert was outdoors, everyone was so happy and smiling, it was a beautiful California day. Charlie Daniels opened. One of my favorite memories.

[@kazshaw3945]

Those harmony's are amazing!I come from England and back then everyone was into the Beatles here but not me ,i loved The Beachboys,The Eagles and Elvis and now decades later i STILL do !😍👍

[@moniphil]

The Wrecking Crew LA studio musicians played on this. Most rock artist that used these session musicians either had a rudimentary idea of how the songs would sound or had no idea and depended on the Wrecking crew. Brian Wilson had the entire thing in his friggin’ head.

[@danquartell2134]

It should be noted that Mike Love hated this lp and wanted to hang onto what had made them successful and was a complete d*** through the sessions.

[@moniphil]

@@danquartell2134 Are you sure? I thought once the band members realized how much money they could make without working as hard, they were all onboard. BTW: Brian got the idea for using studio musicians from Jan & Dean.

[@brettg274]

“Sloop John B” off this album is S-tier Beach Boys, IMO.

[@davidmcgeoy9864]

Surf’s Up. Make sure you give this song a shot. It is multi dimensional, full texture, ridiculous harmonies, haunting and uplifting at the same time. Sublime.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

When I was young, I was pretty much a hard rock guy. If it didn't have slamming guitar and drums, I wasn't too interested. Jump forward thirty years, there I was in the early 2000s sick and tired of the endless crap coming on the radio, so I searched KZbin a bit and listened to several bands, The Beachboys was one of them. It was then that I fully realized just what a genius Brian Wilson was, those harmonies, wonderfully crafted tunes, and melodies that just stuck in your head for days. Certainly, one of a limited number of top tier bands from the 70s. Great stuff.

[@kobo59]

That intro is played on a piano, but by plucking the strings instead of striking the keys. And then it breaks into a chorus of accordians. So inventive!

[@hecubot]

To Alex's question, "How do you write something like this?" Brian Wilson would LITERALLY have the entire production in his head and tell the string section to lay out for 16 bars etc. and work all the session musicians like that. He didn't build off of a basic melody or riff. He could conceive all the parts and direct the musicians to them in overdubs.

[@jayrob5270]

A simple song chord wise and melodically, which is something it has in common with Beatles tunes, but so iconic. One of the greatest pop tunes ever written.

[@jenniferrogers2492]

Brian Wilson is one of the greatest songwriters in history, more remarkable because he struggled with mental illness & deafness in one ear! I recommend that you see “Love & Mercy” with John Cusack as Brian Wilson. Even though he looks nothing like Brian, he effectively tells the story of his struggles & the exploitation.

[@kategillooly9039]

Great movie! I highly recommend it!

[@woverby1963]

Beautiful, beautiful, masters of harmony! Life long Beatles fanatic but Beach Boys harmonies are almost second to none.

[@bakerman10]

S - No doubt about it. An absolute classic by one of the greatest bands in rock history.

[@patd4317]

It’s such a Happy song! 😃

[@gidget8717]

No mistaking the music of The Beach Boys, instantly thoughts of summer.

[@LoveBandit1000]

I LOVE watching you youngsters get transported back in time while you witness the unique magic of yesterday's music....makes this old man's day!

[@geoffreybonham3802]

If you guys ever get the chance, I highly recommend listening to the isolated vocal tracks from this album. Their harmonies are one of the greatest artistic advancements of the 20th Century, music or otherwise. They're just sublime

[@michellekeyes1507]

Love and Mercy is a fantastic movie about Brian Wilson's genius and his mental health challenges. Highly recommend if are getting into the Beach Boys.

[@kathie5258]

Yes, I learned a lot about Brian Wilson that I was unaware of. It was very well done movie.

[@jbellinger99]

Brain Wilson built a sandbox for his piano, and wrote most of the Boy's hit material there, with his feet in the sand. He was a very eccentric and reclusive character.

[@stevemccormack9948]

A remarkable thing about Pet Sounds is that it was originally published in Mono since most radio listening back in the 60s was in mono. Yes, it had actually been recorded in Stereo. So decades later the stereo capture was released - the exact same recording. And I found it so amazing to listen to!

[@Bassman2353]

Brian Wilson wrote the music, arranged the instrumentation, produced the sessions and mixed the album. Sir George Martin, during a tribute to Brian, spoke of how this one man accomplished by himself what the four Beatles and Sir George himself collaborated on. He was in awe of Brian's level of talent.

[@edkubeck1366]

Don't Worry Baby, Catch a Wave, In My Room, Surfing Safari, Surfin', Surfer Girl, and You're So Good To Me, and Little Duece Coupe, are some of my Favorite Beach Boys Songs...just love them!!!

[@michaelyount3176]

Brian and the Wrecking Crew - genius never repeated. And those harmonies....check out "Let Him Run Wild".....

[@kimprice7211]

I'm so happy to hear the clear understanding they perceived with this sing❤

[@BigToeify]

Pure genius. One in a generation writer and producer that is Brian Wilson.

[@Jimbo_Bluff]

John and Paul said it was the best album they ever heard. It did inspire them to up their game.

[@HamiltonRb]

Paul McCartney has said several times that his favorite song ever was God Only Knows by the Beach Boys

[@Jimbo_Bluff]

And Paul and John were both said to have bought copies of that Beach Boys album and gave them out as gifts.

[@irishgrl]

The bright melody combined with the stellar harmonies just elevate the hopeful lyrics 👍

[@JohnRedshaw]

I liked the Beach Boys, but I never bought any of their records until one day in the early 70s when I heard "Wouldn't it Be Nice" on the radio and I was blown away by the song, the production, the arrangement and the harmonies. When the song slows down in the middle and the wave of beautiful sound rolls in and then the original tempo kicks back in, total chills up my spine. If you have never heard "The Pet Sounds Sessions" box set, find it and get it. Also, the Beach Boys only sang on Pet Sounds, studio musicians were brought in "The Wrecking Crew," and Brian Wilson arranged and produced. Brian pretty much had the sound in his head and tried his best to get the musicians to play it to fit what he had in his head.

[@jeffschielka7845]

It's all about the harmonies! Some of the best ever.

[@briannewell6064]

Seek out The Four Freshman an hear what inspired Brian Wilson.

[@jeffschielka7845]

@Maya Nightwolf Awesome also.😎

[@jeffschielka7845]

@@briannewell6064 😎

[@michaelpisciotta6001]

God Only Knows is another great Beach Boys track. I’ve heard Paul McCartney call it the best love song of all time.

[@foxandscout]

God Only Knows was used for the opening of the first three seasons of the series Big Love (which lasted 6 seasons) beginning 2006, about a polygamist and his families. Loved that awards-winning show. What a great cast! Anyhow hearing that song weekly for so long really got it stuck in my brain forever.

[@Supercell725]

I’m 65, my older brother is 10 years older than me. I grew up listening to the BB’s and the Beatles. My brother wore those albums out. My brother and his best friend took me to see theBB’s in Norman, Oklahoma in the mid 60’s I remember the crowd booing when they announced Brian Wilson would not be there that night. His replacement that night was some guy named Glen Campbell.

[@gregsager2062]

Yep. But Glen Campbell was able to join his Wrecking Crew mates in playing on *Pet Sounds* (which featured Glen and fellow WC guitarists Al Casey, Tommy Tedesco, Mike Deasy, Barney Kessel, Bill Pitman, Billy Strange, and Jerry Cole doing all of the guitar parts, usually doubled up a la Phil Spector's Wall of Sound technique), because Bruce Johnston had joined the Beach Boys the previous year as their touring bassist, replacing Campbell. Unlike Campbell, Johnston became a permanent member of the Beach Boys (although he left the band for a time during the '70s).

[@Supercell725]

@@gregsager2062 thanks Greg for the additional info on Glen. I was a big fan of Glen also, I mean who wasn’t a fan of his. Such a talented guy in so many ways.

[@aquariaaustin2077]

That drop into the somber "talk about it" bridge is epic. So full of longing and hope. Genius stuff.

[@jgsrhythm100]

Andy & Alex Fun fact Tommy Bolin was encouraged by Beach Boys Brian Wilson to handle the vocals himself & recruit a wide array of musicians for his solo album "Teaser". The Beach Boys actually coached him on singing! No idea how he happened to connect with them but I will inquire on the Bolin page!! Talk about unlikely pairing!

[@meropetied]

Half of the Beach Boys' album Today (Side B) --and about a third of their next one, Summer Days and Summer Nights --is full prologue to Pet Sounds. No surfing or hot rod songs, just stunning pop songs with amazing harmonies and the beautiful origins of the symphonic pop we get here. And then there's Smile... But boy is Wouldn't Be Nice incredible. Maybe my favorite Beach Boys song. But you just gotta hear Feel Flows and their Sunflower/Surf's Up era. Most of Holland too is incredible. Much less Brian Wilson on those albums. But it's all just amazing stuff.

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Pet Sounds inspired not only Sgt. Pepper, but parts of Revolver. “Here, There and Everywhere” has a clear link to “You Still Believe in Me,” and Paul McCartney has basically said as much.

[@randyguidry4958]

Pet sounds! Pure genius. The band was the "Wrecking Crew" The record company's session musicians. They were and are legends. Brian Wilson wrote, arranged and produced the album.

[@gregsager2062]

The Wrecking Crew was *not* the session musicians of Capitol Records, or of any other particular record company. They were not on a record company payroll, they were freelancers. Producers would hire them to come in and play sessions, and then the producer would pay them as part of the recording cost. Records that included the work of the Wrecking Crew on them appeared on just about every American label that there was in the '60s, with the exception of certain record companies (Motown and Stax/Volt are the two most conspicuous examples) that had their own in-house sessionmen, or which were exclusively NYC-based and employed studio musicians that were based in the Big Apple (Buddah, for example).

[@randyguidry4958]

@@gregsager2062 Ok good to know.

[@catleeper]

This is the song we listened to at the end of the night, when it was time to go home and we didn’t want the night to end. There was an innocence to it I think.

[@Dragoninja]

My 2 other Favorites from this Album Pet Sounds is "Sloop John B" & "God Only Knows".

[@michaelgray4964]

The amazing thing about Brian Wilson in the studio was that he would come in with an entire arrangement in his head. He'd do stuff like have the French horns hit two notes, wait eight beats, hit it again... and when he dropped that (and a dozen other similar jigsaw pieces) into the main track that the Wrecking Crew had laid down, they'd fit perfectly into place, proper key, proper pitch, proper timing.

[@robertcollins197]

Alan Parsons who worked with both the Beatles and Pink Floyd was a producer who was as creative as the artists. He had his own band "The Alan Parsons Project" which had numerous hits.

[@mikep6222]

Alan Parsons is awesome.

[@michaeldaniels8462]

"Surf's Up" is an awesome track that came a little bit after Pet Sounds - was going to be central to the legendary Smile project.

[@マシュードーラン]

Paul loves Brian so much and he’s such a fanboy haha I love it! It’s a bromance through mutual respect and admiration. Paul was there when Brian released Smile live and went on that journey. They’re both musical geniuses and it’s heartwarming to know they really dig each other!

[@ChrisLawton66]

I like a couple of tracks from Pet Sounds, but sadly it leaves me cold overall.

[@MySundin13]

Amazing track. So many vocal layers....Brian Wilson was going mad by this point. The song is perfection ✅

[@fowlintent]

This opens the door to some other groups of the era like The Association, The Turtles. Great harmonies and popular hits of the mid 60’s.

[@alphafemale267]

My favorite Beach Boys song is “God Only Knows.” One of their best.

[@HamiltonRb]

McCartney’s favorite song

[@jodavey7709]

Driving along, top back,full sunshine and singing in pure joy ❤

[@johnpetrone6602]

My late brother-in-law Jay Migliori played sax on this track and hundreds of others as he was a member of the Wrecking Crew, he also played with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis and won a Grammy with Supersax in 1973...RIP Jaybird

[@lassepettersson1061]

I wasn't around for the sixties, but to me its the greatest decade in terms of music. Didn't discover The Beach Boys until the nineties, but I'm so glad I did. "Wouldn't It Be Nice"/"God Only Knows" are my favorite songs - and might...just might...be the greatest single ever released.

[@kdm71291]

Paul McCartney called Pet Sounds the greatest album of all time.....high praise indeed! "In My Room" is another very heart-felt song from that album.

[@kateg7298]

Great insights Alex. I think that every generation has an artist in whatever form, who rips up the rules and creates a whole new genre or attitude toward music, or sculpture or poetry. It changes our whole perception. Brian Wilson was that type of genius. You nailed it, Alex.

[@bedazzled64]

"How did you start the writing process for any of these songs?" That's the genius of Brian

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!!!! ☮️❤️♾️

[@jayburdification]

I’ve always said 1966 is where it was all happening for rock and pop music as it was coming out of its adolescence. Innovative songwriting and production techniques exploded. Most of what came after 1966 had already been done in some nascent form or another. And Pet Sounds is at the epicenter of it all.

[@johncagnettajr344]

Brian hears the harmonies in his head and taught the other bands members their parts. Also he was the music director in the studio as well.

[@davidbaron8330]

This originally came out in MONO. With LIVE 5-part harmonies sung in real time. It sounded great coming out of and AM radio through one, mono, dashboard speaker in your car.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

GENTLEMEN ! IT'S NOT JUST THE WRITERS ! IT'S WHO ARRANGES THE MUSIC----------ORCHESTRATES, & MAYBE, PRODUCES THE MUSIC ! BRIAN WILSON, DID IT ALL !

[@davidhaight5594]

He's a genius

[@jazziered142]

I saw the Beach Boys during 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, they gave a free concert. BEST THING EVER.... It was magical.