@@rascal211 They "fall for it", as you put it, because of : (a) the gorgeous melody. (b) the beautiful harmonies. and (c) the heartfelt lyrics. Perhaps these were not obvious to you because some issue you may have with God is clouding your thinking, to the point where you are taking the simple beauties of life out of context.
@@stevejoshua9536 exactly! I am only 52. This song was totally my parents era, but I recognize how layered, perfectly written, and every instrument and vocal perfectly placed!
No, that isnt why Paul said that. He said it for the simple reason he was blown away by the beauty of the song. It absolutely is the most beautiful love song ever written.
Musically speaking, as a composition, it is genius music to take these incredibly sophisticated chord changes and turn it into a 3 minute pop song. Which, of course, was a Brian Wilson specialty. Then the sentiment in the lyrics is simply beautiful. Finally the multi part revolving vocal arrangement at the end is classic Beach Boys. All in all, just one of the greatest songs ever. A real standout.
My son chose this song for our mother/son dance at his wedding. At the time I was touched but at a nephews wedding a few months ago, and 5 years after his wedding, we danced to it and he told me why he chose it. At the time of his wedding I was 10 years out from cancer. We live on opposite sides of the country so he was not able to see me during treatment. “God Only Knows” held a place in his heart and mind during that time and helped him get through it. It will hold a special place in both of our hearts forever.
Lot of folks just remember them as California surfin’ harmonies, but the production changed the music industry forever. The more you listen, the more you get.
Check out this entire album, Pet Sounds. Possibly one of the most perfectly productive ed albums of all time, especially considering the early solid state equipment used in 1966.
Brian Wilson is a true musical genius who has had an effect on the entire music industry. When the Beatles first came to the US, the first thing they asked was when they could meet Brian Wilson. And in turn he was blown away by Rubber Soul and did use its influences in his work.
Brian and Sir Paul had a friendly rivalry going on back then. Guess who won? Everyone listening to the "contest." Paul lost his band, so did Brian. We ALL have all the profits of their hard work. steve
No samples... no hate... no violence... no synths... no sexual content... no pitch correction... no digital effects... all real instruments. It's my favorite song ever.
The Beach Boys were one of the greatest groups of all times for harmonies, and I agree with you 100% about this song vs. my favourite too, "Good Vibrations"! Cheers,
The genius of Brian Wilson. He produced all The Beach Boys records, and he did all the arrangements of the harmonies. The man was amazing, and still is. He was The Beach Boys.
You, sorry, are wrong. the beach boys is a fourth-rate Beach Boys cover band. Jan and Dean were better. Papa Doo Run Run are better. The Brian Wilson Band, infinitely better! In one respect, you are correct. Arguably, the best Beach Boys album is Pet Sounds. God Only Knows is on that record. steve
"Good Vibrations" Is also my favorite but they also together with Chicago and did the Great backing vocals for "Wishing You Were Here". There is a live version from "New Years Rockin' Eve." listed 1974 or 1975 depending on the post.
The instruments on the recordings (I believe this is a lip sync) are performed by the Wrecking Crew, the studio musicians at Capitol and other studios. They would play with Brian Wson and the rest of the Boys woould have to learn the instruments for live performances. The voices are all Boys arranged by Brian.
This Incredible Classic Will Forever Ripple Throughout All Eternity! How This Doesn't End Up On Any Top 5 Ballad Playlist Will Be Forever A Mystery- Well.. I Guess G-d Only Knows! 🎧☝🏾
One of these days, I hope you check out The Wrecking Crew documentary. The Wrecking Crew were a group of top notch studio musicians who played on this and countless other hit songs from the 60s and 70s; many of which you've already reacted to. They not only played on these songs, they helped make them better.
For some reason while listenting top this I thought about the Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder Song called Ebony and Ivory that was huge in the early 1980's
Good reaction as always There’s a song on their sunflower album called Forever written by drummer Dennis Wilson and friend Gregg Jakobson if someone ever dedicates that song to you they are hooked on you. Check it out
Rumor has it that the late drummer, Dennis Wilson (RIP), actually beat the living daylights out of Charles Manson after he threatened his children. From Beach Boys collaborator Van Dyke Parks: "One day, Charles Manson brought a bullet out and showed it to Dennis, who asked, "What's this?" And Manson replied, "It's a bullet. Every time you look at it, I want you to think how nice it is your kids are still safe." Well, Dennis grabbed Manson by the head and threw him to the ground and began pummeling him ... I heard about it, but I wasn't there. The point is, though, Dennis Wilson wasn't afraid of anybody!"
You may not know this but The Beatles and The Beach Boys were in a friendly little competition for which one could make better records. Nothing nasty, just friendly. They hadn't even met at this point. But The Beatles had made and released Rubber Soul and Brian Wilson bought it and played it and was blown away. His answer to Rubber Soul was Pet Sounds. You owe it to yourself to listen to Pet Sounds front to back at least one time. God Only Knows was (if I remember correctly) the last song on that album. John Lennon and Paul McCartney both said God Only Knows was not only their favorite Beach Boys song but the best song ever written. Pet Sounds was The Beach Boys answer to Rubber Soul. The Beatles answered Pet Sounds with Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (best known as Sgt. Pepper) In turn The Beach Boys answered Sgt. Pepper with Smile. Smile was never really finished due to Brian Wilson's break down but was worked on later and became Smiley Smile and I believe was eventually released but I don't know when. Maybe someone can fill in the blanks.
I don't think this video has the full sound. You might want to check out the audio for the full stereo sound. It's really beautiful when you can hear it completely. "Good Vibrations" is one of my favorites as well. Another classic is "Don't Worry Baby".
The instrumentation of the intro pulls the listener in intensely, such a tremendous combination of effective sounds that create such a unique feel. What kind of horn is that?
Love “Warmth of the Sun”!! I only learned in the last few years that Brian wrote that song on the evening of Nov.. 22nd, 1963. Beautiful beautiful song.
My favorite Beach Boys song is "Heroes And Villains". It has a lot of that weaving in and out thing that you liked at the end of "God Only Knows" but it is more upbeat and unpredictable (but fun).
They always have wonderful harmonies. I love California girls myself. The introduction. Or i get around. Or when i grow up . They also have sad or serious songs .
Produced by the then-absent-Beach-Boy virtuoso pop music writer-arranger-singer, brother Brian. He was such a perfectionist that Mike Love once said in a later interview that if Brian even sensed that someone had an impure thought, he'd stop the take and make everyone start all over again from the top. This could go on for dozens of takes and drove everyone a bit batty. But clearly with such songs as this, it paid off. Too many hit songs from the Beach Boys to mention but I will toss out a single they did when they all wanted to get back to basics with a bit of bump and grind: try "Do It Again."
I will always respect other people´s tastes, but I´m amazed you prefer Kokomo to this! I think it´s one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, but, again, each to their own!
if you would like to hear an updated 90s version of them ...check out California's "Jellyfish " Brilliant band - very influenced by beach boys ELO and queen
I love this song. Rarely today do you ever hear love songs anymore. Many songs today are just terrible. Not all. But again, I give you credit that you did listen to it.
The video of the song is distracting becauseThe video is a live performance but the music is the studio recording. It’s such a beautiful song. I’d recommend you listen to wouldn’t it be nice. That’s my favorite.
Hi Angela, I'm one of your subscribers... Please post up, The Warmth of the Sun by the Beach Boys...A song of loss and sadness, but he still has, the warmth of the sun. I think you will like it.
I believe the full stereo quality of this version is missing. It sounded flat and a little mono, but great reaction, Angela. You really need to hear a much better audio version.
First song of the second side of what is considered by many to be the finest pop album ever recorded. Group is lip syncing to the studio recording. Brian Wilson, the creator of the "Pet Sounds" album, is missing.
Mike Love (the goober wearing the weird hat) did his best to try to ruin this masterpiece with his aggressive and sarcastic vocal - "BOM BOM BOM BA BAHHHH" - during the bridge, but the song survived him. The aching power of the song slipped by me in my youth. When I got older and started losing things, the song hit much, much harder.
I think they should think about changing it to "Jesus Only Knows" or "Allah Only Knows" or "The Booder Only Knows". Not sure why. "Good Vibrations" is their coolest song. My friend Peter was their videographer. "Heroes and Villains" is a lesser known but wondrously harmonious with a touch of psychedelia. Most songs seem to be about surfing, the beach, and cars. Their vocals were their strong suit. The most creative work at the time was coming from the UK and Europe.
Try "Don't Worry Baby", one of their best. However the best version of it I've heard is actually by a cover band called "Foxes and Fossils". Musical perfection.
the quality of the audio on this video probably didn't help. this song always reminds me of getting towards the end of the TV show the Wonder Years. I always thought the ending was so sad that Kevin and Winnie went separate ways, but you could see them growing apart as they grew up.
