“God Only Knows” Was the Favorite Song Ever Written

As the news of Brian Wilson’s passing reverberates around the music world, it’s heartening to know that his contributions are celebrated by artists young and old. Paul McCartney, one of Wilson’s biggest admirers, has called The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” the “greatest song ever written.”

The quote comes from Charles Granata’s 2003 book Wouldn’t it Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and McCartney reiterated his affection for the song in a 2007 interview with BBC Radio 1, where he discussed why “God Only Knows” means so much to him. “It’s one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it,” McCartney said. “It’s really just a love song, but it’s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian.” (For what it’s worth, we agree with his assessment.)

McCartney’s respect for Wilson extends beyond just “God Only Knows.” Over the years, he’s often reflected on how Wilson’s musical innovations shaped his own work with The Beatles. “Brian Wilson sort of proved himself to be a really amazing composer,” McCartney told The Ronnie Wood Show  in 2012. “I was into chords and harmonies and stuff at that time, and we ended up with kind of like a rivalry. We put a song out and Brian would hear it, and then he’d do one. Which is nice – it’s like me and John. You know, you kind of try and top each other all the time.” Watch a clip of McCartney discussing Wilson, his performance of “God Only Knows” alongside him for a benefit concert, and the genius of his songwriting below, as well as a clip from the duo’s performance together.