The Beach Boys are known not only for hit singles like "California Girls," "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around" and more, but also for one particular album -- their influential 1966 masterpiece, "Pet Sounds."
Composed almost single-handedly by singer, songwriter and Beach Boys creative mastermind Brian Wilson, "Pet Sounds" marked the first time a pop-rock group had expanded its sound beyond the standard guitar/drums/bass configuration into something so complex that it was impossible to reproduce in live performances.
Brian Wilson -- whose death at the age of 82 was announced by his family on June 11 -- wrote the music to nearly all of the Beach Boys' best-known songs
For "Pet Sounds," Wilson and his bandmates sought the help of Giles Martin, the son of the late Beatles producer Sir George Martin, who remixed "Pet Sounds" in Dolby Atmos in 2023.
"It … used a combination of instruments that had never been heard before, anywhere," he told ABC Audio of the album. "And anywhere since, as well, by the way."
The Beatles certainly took notice. After hearing "Pet Sounds," they went on to create 1967's equally influential album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Brian Wilson, legendary Beach Boys singer-songwriter, dies at 82As Martin explained, "I think what happened … is that they were like, 'Oh, if The Beach Boys can do that, we're the Beatles, we can certainly do that!'"
Here are 10 more standout Beach Boys musical moments also from the mind of Brian Wilson, as well as a variety of co-writers including The Beach Boys lead vocalist Mike Love, "Pet Sounds" collaborator Tony Asher, and Van Dyke Parks,
Widely regarded as one of the most important pop songs in music history for its innovative production and artistry, the post-"Pet Sounds" release at the time was also the most expensive single ever recorded. A pioneering example of what would eventually be known as "psychedelic" rock or pop, "Good Vibrations" was The Beach Boys' third No. 1 single.
Two "Pet Sounds" highlights, the former featuring envelope-pushing instrumentation and production and the latter, a deceptively complex harmonic structure as well as lyrics that were, at that point, taboo for a pop song because of the repeated references to God. The Beatles' Paul McCartney named "God Only Knows" his favorite song of all time.
Partly inspired by The Beach Boys' world travels and Brian Wilson's first acid trip, it peaked at No. 3, and went on to inspire other songs, including The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." in 1968 and, more than 40 years later, Katy Perry's 2010 hit, "California Gurls."
Possibly inspired by The Beach Boys overhearing the daughter of a Salt Lake City radio station owner complaining that she'd gotten her driving privileges revoked after lying about where she was taking her father's car, "Fun, Fun, Fun" peaked at No. 5.
Mike Love talks new documentary, 'The Beach Boys'The Beach Boys' first U.S No. 1 hit, Mike Love said "I Get Around" was inspired in part by the group's newfound fame and their yearning for something more.
The B-side of "I Get Around," "Don't Worry Baby" was inspired by the Ronettes' "Be My Baby" and originally offered to that group, only to be rejected by producer Phil Spector. The song features what's considered one of Brian Wilson's best vocal performances. "Little Deuce Coupe" co-writer Roger Christian lent Wilson a hand with the lyrics.
Featuring a rare-for-the-time Al Jardine lead vocal, "Help Me, Rhonda" was The Beach Boys' second U.S. No. 1 hit and knocked The Beatles' "Ticket to Ride" out of the top spot.
A rewrite of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Surfin' U.S.A." reached No. 2 on the singles chart and cemented what came to be called the "California Sound."
Brian Wilson stated that he "never liked" the song, a track from the band's 1973 album, "Holland," with vocals by South African singer/guitarist Blondie Chaplin. Despite only reaching No. 79 in the U.S., it's notable not only for featuring a non-Beach Boys singer on lead vocals, but also for being one of the few Beach Boys songs to receive airplay on American FM rock radio. Co-writers included Tandyn Almer, Ray Kennedy and Jack Rieley.
Andrea Dresdale writes about music for ABC Audio.
