Greatest Beach Boys song??

cp3iverson · May 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcw1lfANmrc&app=desktop

I’ll pick Surf’s Up. An ironic title to show how Brian Wilson’s life had changed compared to his earlier fun tunes. What a beautiful haunting tune. Take the 3 minutes and listen to the guy who blew Lennon and McCartney’s minds so much that they wrote Sgt Pepper to try to compare.

That’s one uncut studio take. Best vocals ive ever heard. The last thirty seconds will take you somewhere.

Edited to change the title. And i may change my mind on Brian’s greatest song in the next ten minutes

PJWGIII · May 2018

Now, I really love Surf’s Up, and it’s signifcance is immense and notable, but let’s be real here...

It’s got NOTHING on Good Vibrations. THAT is the greatest song of the 60s if you had to pick one.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ-UFKxDq5o

The fact that this Surf’s Up isn’t even the greatest Beach Boys song though shows the power of Brian Wilson’s creativity during that Pet Sounds era. Just amazing!

brianlux · May 2018

Cool thread, cp3, although I'm not sure if it's a thread about that one song, or an invitation to discuss a favorite Beach Boys song or a discussion any song from the 60' deemed "best"?

A good argument could be made that both "Surf's Up" and "Good Vibrations" are some of the best songs of the 70's or even the 80's and beyond that were written and recorded before their time- in the 60's.

I like Surf's Up more for it's mood and obscure lyrics and Vibrations more for it's incredible studio workings.

But I'm not sure what the best song of the 60's is because like flowers, mountains or butterflies, is there a best?

My favorite 60's Beach Boys song is "Don't Worry Baby". I had what could almost be described as a major crush on that song when it first came out, and still love it hugely and forever.

My favorite Pet Sounds song are a tie between "God Only Knows" ties and "Caroline No".

tempo_n_groove · May 2018

I personally like Wouldn't it be nice.

Good Vibrations is the start of his brilliance though. That's when he started to do the experimental things.

cp3iverson · May 2018

I changed the thread title

Its tough man. What a genius. Brian Wilson should be playing football stadiums like his buddy Paul does

brianlux · May 2018

cp3iverson said:

I changed the thread title Its tough man. What a genius. Brian Wilson should be playing football stadiums like his buddy Paul does

For sure- one of the best song writers ever.

A a pretty good pharmacist to boot:

timdwilli · May 2018

Best song - God Only Knows. Best song with Brian on vocals - I Just Wasn't Made for These Times.

On a related note, anyone going to one of the shows where he's going to play the Christmas album in its entirety?

cp3iverson · May 2018

He certainly knows his pharmaceuticals, Bri.

PJ_Soul · May 2018

I pretty much hate the Beach Boys, but the one song of theirs that I think is really good is "God Only Knows".

cp3iverson · May 2018

^^^great choice but ouch!!!!

facepollution · May 2018

Either Good Vibrations or California Girls

JOEJOEJOE · May 2018

I used to see Brian Wilson at our local deli....he was partial to the breakfast burrito!

IMHO, the Beach Boys are an American institution.....so many great songs.

My favorite is "G-d Only Knows"

Thoughts_Arrive · May 2018

Hard to choose. Fun fun fun I love.

cp3iverson · May 2018

Paul McCartney said he can’t listen to God Only Knows without crying.

I read an article once about the key shifts in that song being a first for modern music and more like something composers would have done centuries ago.

brianlux · May 2018

I don't know if this counts because it's really more a Carl Wilson song than it is Beach Boys number, but "The Trader" is way up there in my favorites. Great song in two parts with massively great lyrics.