Paul McCartney has never been shy about expressing his admiration for Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, particularly when it comes to the emotionally resonant and musically intricate track “God Only Knows.” Calling it “the greatest song ever written,” McCartney has said, “It’s one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it.” The track, from The Beach Boys’ landmark 1966 album *Pet Sounds*, showcased Wilson’s gift for blending lush orchestration, complex harmonies, and raw vulnerability—qualities that deeply influenced McCartney and The Beatles during one of their most creatively fertile periods.
The Beatles and The Beach Boys famously inspired one another in the mid-1960s, engaging in a kind of artistic dialogue that helped redefine the boundaries of popular music. Wilson’s work on *Pet Sounds* pushed McCartney and his bandmates to explore new sonic territories, culminating in albums like *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band*. McCartney has credited *Pet Sounds* as a major influence, calling it a “religious experience” and often pointing to “God Only Knows” as a song that raised the bar for emotional and musical depth in pop songwriting.
Wilson’s innovative use of unconventional instruments, layered harmonies, and poignant lyrics resonated deeply with McCartney. He once remarked that “God Only Knows” is “perfect,” both in its simplicity and its complexity. The song’s tender introspection and haunting beauty captured something rare and timeless—qualities McCartney strove to emulate in his own songwriting.
Over the years, the mutual admiration between McCartney and Wilson has only deepened. McCartney has performed “God Only Knows” live and even joined Wilson onstage, further solidifying a bond forged not just in friendship, but in a shared pursuit of musical excellence. Their artistic kinship remains one of the most compelling stories in modern music history.
