God Only Knows

1966

God Only Knows is a song by American pop group The Beach Boys. It was released as the eighth song on their album Pet Sounds. The song was composed by Brian Wilson and produced. The text is written Tony Asher. The lead vocals for this song sang Carl Wilson, who will be complemented in the final canon of Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston.

The song was released in the U.S. as a B- side of the single Would not It Be Nice and reached number 39 on the Billboard charts. In the UK, it was released as the A- side and made ​​it to number 2

God Only Knows

In reference to Brian Wilson and Beach Boys historian God Only Knows was the first pop song that included the word " God" in the title. The song, the melody and structure of the recording were technically the most elaborate production to date, the Beach Boys. Brian Wilson, the song completely arranged and produced, used for this piece for that time rather unusual instruments such as horns.

Music and lyrics

The text comes from the English lyricist Tony Asher, who with Brian Wilson had worked for the entire Pet Sounds album. Asher stated in several interviews that he had indeed written all the lyrics for the album, but he had taken only in words what Brian Wilson had told him hours talking.

The song is conceived as a love song. Very untypical of the song that starts with the line " I may not always love you ." Brian Wilson held this line for a start to be too severe, but Asher fought for this beginning. The purpose of this Negativums extends in the second line as Asher a " but as long as there are stars above you " adds. Where meaningful captures both lines together an "I 'll love you until the sun dims - forever " result.

A striking feature of this song is that there is no rhyme structure is present, but does not necessarily noticeable to the listener. Lines 1, 2 and 5 ' ends, whereas line 3 and 4 with a, it's a, you end. In the second stanza the lines 1 to 4 end with the word ' me'.

The music for this piece comes from Brian Wilson. He used this song for the first time a technique that would become his trademark later. Wilson composed the piece is not in the usual standard chords, but added them still at an extra bass note, which made for a very unusual sound. This means that the - played on the piano - deep bass leads his own melodic line with it.

The song has also in the middle of a purely instrumental area and then another part inferior to the Beach Boys with their voices, but without words. The song ends, also very typical, with a canon.

Singing to God Only Knows

In the first recordings Brian Wilson sang the lead vocal. However, he decided to let sing the song of his brother Carl. " Do not do anything with the song. Sing it all just as it is. Take a deep breath and was very relaxed, " Brian Wilson gave his brother statement.

Both in the central part and in the canon Brian Wilson had initially so trouble finding the right singer. He had besides the now six Beach Boys still Terry Melcher and his wife Marilyn and her sister Diane Rovell, who were present at the vocals. This meant that the voices seemed too cluttered. Therefore, Brian Wilson decided to reduce the voices again and implement the canon with only three votes, his own, the. Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston

Recordings

The instruments were on March 10, 1966 included in the Western Studios in Hollywood ( California). Engineer Chuck Britz was. The piece was recorded live in the studio and took around 20 attempts.

The songs were recorded on several days from March to April 1966. Here, the Columbia studios were used. Sound engineer in these recordings was Ralph Balantin.

Musician list

  • Hal Blaine - drums
  • Jesse Erlich - Cello
  • Carl Fortina - accordion
  • Jim Gordon - percussion
  • Bill Green - Flute
  • Leonard Hartman - clarinet, bass clarinet
  • Jim Horn - Flute
  • Bruce Johnston - backing vocals
  • Carol Kaye - Electric Bass
  • Larry Knechtel - Hammond organ
  • Leonard Malarsky - Violin
  • Jay Migliori - Baritone Sax
  • Frank Marocco - Accordion
  • Ray Pohlman - Bass
  • Don Randi - piano
  • Lyle Ritz - bass
  • Alan Robinson - French Horn
  • Sid Sharp - Violin
  • Darrel Terwilliger - Violin
  • Brian Wilson - background vocals
  • Carl Wilson - vocals, background vocals

Reception

The Mojo magazine chose the song at number 13 of the " best songs of all time". The Rolling Stone magazine chose the song on rank 25 of its list of the 500 best songs of all time. Pitchfork Media named the piece as "the best song of 1960 ."

Paul McCartney said in various interviews that he holds God Only Knows for the most beautiful song ever written. During a BBC interview he said: " God Only Knows is one of the few songs did Reduces me to tears everytime 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 did falling on the sound check I broke down. It was just too much to stand there singing this song did does my head in, and to stand there singing it with Brian. "

The listeners of BBC Radio 2 chose God Only Knows is one of three songs that changed their lives.

Cover versions

The song has been interpreted by numerous artists. Glen Campbell, Jack Jones, Neil Diamond, David Bowie and Andy Williams are among the best known. Joss Stone published in 2005, a cover version of this piece. Brian Wilson released a new version of this song on the CD New Music from an Old Friend, which was produced by Phil Ramone.

List of cover versions (excerpt)

  • Brenda & The Tabulations in 1967 on their album Dry Your Eyes
  • P. P. Arnold in 1968 on their album Kafunta
  • The Vogues in 1970 on the album The Vogues Sing the Good Old Songs
  • Claudine Longet in 1972 on the album Let 's Spend the Night Together
  • Mandy More in 1972 on their album But That Is Me
  • Olivia Newton-John in 1974 on the album If You Love Me, Let Me Know
  • Betty Everett in 1975 on the album Happy Endings
  • Neil Diamond in 1977 on the album I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight
  • David Bowie in 1984 on the album Tonight
  • Charly Garcia and Pedro Aznar in 1991 on the album Tango 4 Sólo Dios Sabe as
  • Justin Hayward in 1994 on the album Classic Blue
  • The Real Group in 1994 on the album Nothing But the Real Group
  • The Manhattan Transfer in 1995 on the album Tonin '
  • The Nylons 1996 on the album Run for Cover
  • John Wetton in 2003 on the album Rock of Faith ( Live Version, only released in Japan )
  • Holly Cole in 2003 on the album Shade
  • Mandy Moore and Michael Stipe at the 2004 soundtrack to the movie Saved! - The High School Missionaries
  • Jonatha Brooke in 2004 on the album Back in the Circus
  • Kim Kuzma in 2005 on the album Who You Are
  • Joss Stone at the 2005 Special Edition of the album Mind Body & Soul
  • John Pizzarelli in 2006 on the album Knowing You
  • Luciana Souza on her album The New Bossa Nova (2007)
  • Wayne Hussey to Bare (2008)
  • Jamie Cullum on Devil May Care (2010)
Genre Canon (music) Bass guitar Jack Jones (singer)
270883
de