Paul McCartney has long expressed deep admiration for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, particularly for their groundbreaking song “God Only Knows.”

Paul McCartney has long expressed deep admiration for Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, particularly for their groundbreaking song “God Only Knows.” He once said, “It’s one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it,” calling it “the greatest song ever written.” For McCartney, the emotional depth, complex harmonies, and musical sophistication of “God Only Knows” represented a new frontier in pop music—one that deeply influenced his own artistic development.

During the mid-1960s, the Beatles and the Beach Boys were engaged in a kind of creative dialogue, each pushing the other to new heights. Wilson’s *Pet Sounds*—and especially “God Only Knows”—was a major catalyst for McCartney during the making of *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band*. He has openly credited Wilson with inspiring him to approach songwriting and studio production with greater emotional and sonic ambition.

Beyond the music itself, McCartney has consistently spoken of Wilson with reverence, describing him as a genius whose innovation and vulnerability helped redefine what pop music could express. The intricate arrangements and emotional honesty in Wilson’s work, particularly on *Pet Sounds*, challenged the Beatles to match that level of artistry and introspection. McCartney has even said that without *Pet Sounds*, *Sgt. Pepper* might never have existed in the form we know today.

Their mutual respect eventually led to personal meetings and collaborative moments, but for McCartney, it’s always returned to the music. “God Only Knows” remains a touchstone—not just a favorite song, but a symbol of what great songwriting can achieve. It’s a testament to the power of melody and feeling, and it continues to inspire artists across generations, just as it moved McCartney all those years ago.

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