{"id":770373,"date":"2026-07-18T14:40:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T14:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/770373\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T14:40:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T14:40:27","slug":"a-timeline-of-the-beach-boys-1966-masterpiece-god-only-knows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/770373\/","title":{"rendered":"A timeline of The Beach Boys’ 1966 masterpiece ‘God Only Knows’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/p>\n

Credit: Far Out \/ Album Cover<\/p>\n

Sat 18 July 2026 4:00, UK <\/p>\n

The beauty of music lies in its subjectivity. That said, there are some songs which are recognised as universally beautiful, and we have The Beach Boys<\/a> to thank for a lot of them.<\/p>\n

When we look back on the history of music, there are a few releases here and there that act as chapter titles in what is a pretty long book and resonate on an emotional level, as those listening are moved by the record and listen to it on repeat. However, it doesn\u2019t just hit consumers, but fellow creatives as well, as the artistic world they\u2019re a part of is fundamentally changed. <\/p>\n

One of these major moments came when The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds, a record which is still considered one of their very best to this day<\/a>. Each and every track has heart and soul buried within it, and the performances throughout the LP are second to none. There isn\u2019t a bad song, but one of the most significant stand-out tracks is \u2018God Only Knows\u2019, which has been called game-changing, ethereal, and proof of the existence of God. <\/p>\n

Now, decades after it was released as a single, we look back on the significance of one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. This is a timeline of the lifespan of a song that completely changed the world, and God only knows what we would do without it.<\/p>\n

A timeline of how \u2018God Only Knows\u2019 was made:\"Brian<\/a>Credit: Far Out \/ Brian WilsonWriting sessions begin<\/p>\n

The Beach Boys kick off their Japan and Hawaii tour, with Brian Wilson opting to stay behind<\/a> in Los Angeles and send Glen Campbell out on tour instead.<\/p>\n

In LA, Wilson teams up with Tony Asher to begin \u201cmaking music for people on a spiritual level\u201d, with material that would eventually become Pet Sounds. <\/p>\n

During this, \u2018God Only Knows\u2019 emerges as a heartfelt rumination of romantic devotion.<\/p>\n

\"Brian<\/a>Credit: Far Out \/ YouTube StillLyric disagreements<\/p>\n

While writing \u2018God Only Knows\u2019, Wilson and Asher have a disagreement about the opening line<\/a>, claiming that Asher\u2019s lyric, \u201cI may not always love you\u201d, was far too bleak to include in the final version of the song.<\/p>\n

Wilson also wasn\u2019t sure about keeping the word \u2018God\u2019 in the title, understanding that, in the context of 1960s America, doing so would likely invite claims of mocking religion or spiritual ideas, which Wilson was keen to avoid. <\/p>\n

However, Asher convinced him that it was innovative rather than offensive, and so they opted to keep it in.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Credit: Far Out \/ Magnolia PicturesInstrumental tracking begins<\/p>\n

\u2018God Only Knows\u2019 is one of the last songs on Pet Sounds<\/a> to be recorded. <\/p>\n

On March 10th, 1966, members of The Wrecking Crew attended the studio, including drummer Hal Blaine, drummer Jim Gordon, and bassist Carol Kaye.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other contributions on the track included a French horn played by The Sound of Music\u2019s Alan Robinson, an accordion, a harpsichord, a tambourine, and even Sleigh bells played by Blaine. <\/p>\n

These choices were all made by Wilson to ensure the track immediately delivered an uplifting, larger-than-life persona, emulating the familiar euphoric feeling people have long associated with it.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Credit: Capitol RecordsThe band record lead vocal and harmonies<\/p>\n

The band return to Columbia Studios with Wilson deciding to give the lead vocals to Carl Wilson<\/a>, noting, \u201cI gave the song to Carl because I was looking for a tenderness and a sweetness which I knew Carl had in himself as well as in his voice. He brought dignity to the song.\u201d<\/p>\n

The advice he gave Carl was fairly simple: don\u2019t overdo it, just let it fall out, and \u201clet it go easy\u201d. The aim was to make the vocal seem as effortless as possible, no gimmicks, and just the right amount of breezy so as to not dilute the original message. <\/p>\n

Brian and Bruce Johnston then deliver their harmonies, giving the track its additional sense of emotional vulnerability.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Credit: Capitol RecordsPet Sounds is released<\/p>\n

Pet Sounds is released on May 14th, 1966, with \u2018God Only Knows\u2019 as the opening track on the record\u2019s second side<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some responses to the record were uncertain, and it initially debuted at number 106 on the US Billboard charts, later peaking at number ten.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, fellow musicians were immediately inspired by its creative innovation, including the likes of The Beatles, leading to the creation of their own conceptual masterpiece, Sgt Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>Credit: Far Out \/ Album Cover\u2018God Only Knows\u2019 is released<\/p>\n

\u2018God Only Knows\u2019 is released with \u2018Wouldn\u2019t It Be Nice\u2019, flipped to the B-side because of the use of the word \u2018God\u2019 in the title<\/a>. <\/p>\n

However, despite Wilson\u2019s reservations about using the word, the desired effect paid off, with the song far outliving any concerns about momentary blasphemy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Beach<\/a>Credit: Far Out \/ Album Cover \/ Capitol RecordsUnmatched legacy<\/p>\n

\u2018God Only Knows\u2019 is one of the most significant songs in music history, with many musicians, legends included<\/a>, even going so far as to claim it as one of the best songs ever written. <\/p>\n

For some, like Pete Townshend and Christine McVie, its allure is inexplicable, though heavily linked to its heavenly sound and the way it makes you feel. As Towshend said, \u201c\u2018God Only Knows\u2019 is simple and elegant and was stunning when it first appeared; it still sounds perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Songwriter Jimmy Webb also argued that it \u201crepresents the whole tradition of liturgical music that I feel is a spiritual part of Brian\u2019s music\u201d, while Paul McCartney also chimed in with the praise, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s really just a love song, but it\u2019s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian [Wilson]\u201d.<\/p>\n

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