https://variety.com/2025/music/news/brian-wilson-dead-beach-boys-1236428336/
I can’t argue with William Ruhlmann’s biography
on Allmusic, which posits that Wilson is “arguably
the greatest American composer of popular music in the rock era.” His songwriting
“captured the arc of innocence and turmoil that played out for those coming of
age in the 1960s, quickly moving from the carefree fun of his early songs about
cars, surfing, and teenage love to the complex self-inspection and
vulnerability exhibited on his 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds,” as he “combined
the rock urgency of Chuck Berry with the harmonies of the Four Freshmen.”
I posted a writeup on the Beach Boys several years ago, which contains my list of 20 favorite songs.
1. God Only Knows
ReplyDelete2. Fun Fun Fun
3. Darlin'
4. 409
5. All Summer Long
6. Sail on Sailor
7. Surfin' Safari
8. Shut Down
9. California Girls
10. Wouldn't It Be Nice
Nice list! I've heard a number of other folks share your choice for #1.
DeleteAnd I see neither one of us listed Be True to Your School. ;-)
If I had made this list thirty years ago it would have probably made the cut.
DeleteI don't think it would ever have made mine.
DeleteFair enough.
ReplyDelete