God Only Knows (2:53)
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“God Only Knows” is a song by American surf rock band The Beach Boys. It is the eighth track on the group’s eleventh studio album Pet Sounds (1966),and one of their most widely recognized songs. “God Only Knows” was composed and produced by Brian Wilson, with lyrics by Tony Asher, and the lead vocal was sung by Carl Wilson.
The song broke new ground in many ways. It was one of the first commercial pop songs to use the word ‘God’ in its title. The song was also far more technically sophisticated than anything the Beach Boys, or arguably any pop group, had ever attempted before - particularly the complicated melodic structure and vocal harmonies. As producer, Brian Wilson also used many unorthodox instruments for the genre, including the harpsichord and French horns that are heard in the song’s famous introduction.
Mojo magazine ranked the song as the 13th greatest song of all time. Pitchfork Media named it the best song of the 1960s. The song is 25th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
The song broke new ground in many ways. It was one of the first commercial pop songs to use the word ‘God’ in its title. The song was also far more technically sophisticated than anything the Beach Boys, or arguably any pop group, had ever attempted before - particularly the complicated melodic structure and vocal harmonies. As producer, Brian Wilson also used many unorthodox instruments for the genre, including the harpsichord and French horns that are heard in the song’s famous introduction.
Mojo magazine ranked the song as the 13th greatest song of all time. Pitchfork Media named it the best song of the 1960s. The song is 25th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
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Shouts
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Distron wrote:
What a great song! One of their best.
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manu_barrueto wrote:
heard it on skins :D
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LINK2K9 wrote:
It only can be the greatest song ever, no other title would do it justice.
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tmanrocker wrote:
just perfect ... thts all to it
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thirdprofile wrote:
big love!
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Brunanalyzed wrote:
The greatest love song ever, even though it starts with "I may not always love you". A masterpiece. Brilliant.
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Pachamanca wrote:
Everything fits so perfectly, one of mankind's greatest achievements.
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Writtenjustice wrote:
You've got to listen to this while downing a milkshake of your choice and lying on a heating vent. It's heavenly.
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BayAreaVenus wrote:
I hate to admit but I discovered this song because of Big Love, and it's soooooo cool. This song is GREAT
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scottie301 wrote:
Brian Wilson was a magician. this song is magic.
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OLDCHAVYCAR2RED wrote:
a cool tune
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clore482 wrote:
To quote Sir Paul McCartney - "'God Only Knows' is 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. I've actually performed it with him, and I'm afraid to say that during the sound check I broke down. It was just too much to stand there singing this song that does my head in, and to stand there singing it with Brian.
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MathiasWilly wrote:
einfach perfekt
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griffman82 wrote:
Is there such thing as a perfect song.... This could be it.
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ex-psycho wrote:
phenomenal
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Cromeyellow wrote:
magic.. pure magic
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skoalman1963 wrote:
For me, THE Greatest song.
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leb2001 wrote:
I like this group and there songs a lot
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Technikilor wrote:
Tied with The Smashing Pumpkins' "Blank Page" as being the greatest song ever recorded. One of the only songs that can reduce me to tears.
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delitax wrote:
haha Pitchfork's #1 track of the 60s
The Beach Boys
God Only Knows
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Recent Activity
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lilhixson, monkeyminish, Superfry666 and 11 other people loved The Beach Boys – God Only Knows. 58 minutes ago
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ANYBODYANYTIME added God Only Knows to their Loved Tracks. 22 hours ago
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turbomatic wrote about God Only Knows in Brian Wilson, Konserthuset, Gothenburg. August 30 2009. yesterday evening
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EBW10, shanlon25, redleader125 and 16 other people loved The Beach Boys – God Only Knows. yesterday evening
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lovebeatloko tagged The Beach Boys – God Only Knows with rock, oldies, classic rock and 2 other tags. yesterday afternoon
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lovebeatloko, Wrathchilde, elma-- and 9 other people loved The Beach Boys – God Only Knows. yesterday afternoon
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ZamboniChaser added God Only Knows to the playlist An Old-Fashioned Romance. yesterday morning
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