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Top 5 Beach Boys songs of all time.
5. "California Girls"
My wife is a California Girl. Has that influenced my decision here? I’d like to think it beat out “I Still Believe In You,” “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder),” “Sloop John B,” and “Surf’s Up” on its own merits.
But who knows?
My wife is a California Girl. Has that influenced my decision here? I’d like to think it beat out “I Still Believe In You,” “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder),” “Sloop John B,” and “Surf’s Up” on its own merits.
But who knows?
The essence of summer, distilled into a three-minute, sun-kissed ode to “the cutest girls in the world.”
4. "Good Vibrations"
One of the most technically innovative and sonically ambitious pop records of all time. We take pop experimentalism for granted today, but what laid the groundwork were tracks like “Good Vibrations” and the Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows.”
One of the most technically innovative and sonically ambitious pop records of all time. We take pop experimentalism for granted today, but what laid the groundwork were tracks like “Good Vibrations” and the Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows.”
The genius and madness of Brian Wilson. I rate this as the pinnacle of pop experimentation: while Wilson took the artform places it had never been, the focus stayed on the melody. He never sacrificed his acute pop sensibility in pursuit of a breakthrough.
3. "Wouldn't It Be Nice"
One of the greatest album openers of all time. As bright and beautiful as it is possible for a song to be.
One of the greatest album openers of all time. As bright and beautiful as it is possible for a song to be.
2. "God Only Knows"
Paul McCartney's favorite song is one of the greatest things ever recorded, in any art form. Soars like an archangel riding a surfboard into God’s very heart. Just perfect.
Paul McCartney's favorite song is one of the greatest things ever recorded, in any art form. Soars like an archangel riding a surfboard into God’s very heart. Just perfect.
Also, please enjoy this breathtaking BBC all-star cover mashup.
1. "Don't Worry Baby"
Inspired by the Ronettes’s “Be My Baby,” Brian Wilson ended up somehow surpassing it.
When I’m asked to give the purest representation of pop music, I reach for “Don’t Worry Baby” above any other track in music history.
Inspired by the Ronettes’s “Be My Baby,” Brian Wilson ended up somehow surpassing it.
When I’m asked to give the purest representation of pop music, I reach for “Don’t Worry Baby” above any other track in music history.
Check out Wilson’s knowing smile at 1:11—I like to think that, in that moment, he understood just how greatly he blessed us all with “Don’t Worry Baby.”
