Paul McCartney's favorite song of all time was recorded 60 years ago today
On March 9, 1966, the Beach Boys began recording their infamous single "God Only Knows" as the opener to the second side of their critically acclaimed album Pet Sounds.
The song was an immediate hit upon release, with many influential artists praising the simple songwriting and effective musicianship. Paul McCartney of the Beatles has frequently called it the best song ever written.
'God Only Knows' Marked A New Era for The Beach Boys
One of the countless reasons that Pet Sounds is so frequently cited as the greatest album ever recorded is that it was so foundationally different from anything the Beach Boys had released before. While songs like "Surfin' U.S.A." had cemented them as icons of lighthearted "surf rock", Pet Sounds proved that frontman Brian Wilson was capable of much more.
"God Only Knows" is a perfect example of the vulnerable, tender songwriting that's on display throughout Pet Sounds. It's an incredibly simple love song on the surface, with lyrics that discuss the narrator's pure love and adoration of their partner—it's not trying to be experimental or edgy, and that's what made it so refreshing.
Source: aol.com/Jack Walters
