The best pop single ever written?
I’m slow. Yes I know I am. However, I have just witnessed and heard the wonderful 3-minute advertisement done by the BBC organization here on Uk Television.
A new version of the song was simulcast across BBC television and radio channels on October 7, 2014, to launch the BBC Music service. The song in question is known as simply “God only knows” by the Beech Boys.
“God only knows”was originally written by Brian Wilson and Tony Acher for the supergroup that is/was “The Beach Boys” in 1966.
The song was to be featured on the album that is called “Pet Sounds”– which was/is another important milestone within Modern day Pop music.
It is common knowledge these days that the Pop single which is“God only knows” was one of the first singles to be released that had“God” within its title.
Such was the worry that it caused that both Brian Wilson and Tony Archer both feared that it would not gain any airtime because of “God” being in the title of the song.
The song first appeared on the album mentioned above called Pet Sounds. The single was released on the 11th July 1966 within America on the B-side – of the single, that was released on the A-side – “Wouldn’t it be nice”.
Brian wanted to get away from his reliance on and reference to California girls, Surfing, and Fast cars; as wanted to go in another direction. And he did just that with the album called Pet Sounds.
However, within certain countries the single –“God only knows” was released as a straight-out single on its own.
Within the UK for instance, it reached number 2 in the year 1966. However, within his own country (USA), it was only released as a B-side single. The A-side being “Wouldn’t it be nice”.
The vocalist on the single (God only knows”) was Carl Wilson. However, when the single was being made Brian Wilson wanted to become the vocalist of this legendary Pop single.
However, as time moved on Brian noted that Carl would be able to bring out the best of the single than he could ever do. So Carl got the job instead.
23 musicianswere used at the time to create this masterpiece. From musicians playing the French horn to musicians playing accordions; and yet it only took 15 minutes to write– between the songwriters -Brian Wilson and Tony Archer.
I believe that this was the best track that the Beach Boys/ Brian Wilson ever came up with. In fact, maybe one of the best songs ever written.
I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin' do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on, believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would livin' do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you - 1966
7th of October 2014 – the Uk nation was to witness a 3-minute advertisement featuring the song via the BBC TV Network station which was released originally in the year. Now the same single has been given a re-make and released to us again.
Any money raised by this single will be passed over to the BBC’s Children in Need Charity (An organization that helps disabled children and children in general within the UK!)
The cast that all had a line to sing or perform on the newly rehashed version of the song are mentioned artist/s below:
Martin James Bartlett – Celeste
Pharrell Williams – I may not always love you
Emeli Sande - But as long as there are stars above you
Elton John – You never need to doubt it
Lorde – I’ll make you so sure about it
Chris Martin – God only knows what I’d be without you
Brian Wilson - If you should ever leave me (piano)
Florence Welch – Well life would still go on believe me
Kylie Minogue – The world could show nothing to me
Stevie Wonder – So what good would living do me
Eliza Carthy - God only knows what I’d be without you
Nicola Benedetti – Violin
Jools Holland – Piano
Brian May – Electric guitar
Jake Bugg – Lalalala
Katie Derham – Violin
Tees Valley Youth Choir – God only knows
Alison Balsom – Piccolo trumpet
One Direction - God only knows what I’d be without you
Jaz Dhami - God only knows what I’d be without you
Paloma Faith - God only knows what I’d be without you
Chrissie Hynde – God only knows
Jamie Cullum - God only knows what I’d be without you
Baaba Maal – God only knows
Danielle de Niese - God only knows what I’d be without you
Dave Grohl - God Only Knows
Sam Smith - God only knows what I’d be without you
Brian Wilson - God only knows what I’d be without you
Please click on the YouTube video of the BBC (2014 version) of “God only knows” below.
The song, with its “God, only knows what I’d be without you” theme, is designed to “make BBC Music feel more like an all-encompassing brand for everybody,” in the words of Bob Shennan, BBC Director of Music (Uk).
“There were surprisingly few songs to choose from. We got it down to about six, including a couple of Kinks tracks, a Beatles track, and a couple of David Bowie tracks,” Sam Walker, Executive Creative Director at Karmarama, the London advertising agency tasked with producing the video, told the Creative Review blog.
“We were aiming for something that would appeal to as many people as possible so hopefully we chose well.”
The Alexander Palace Theatre in London, the location of the first ever BBC broadcast 90 years ago, was selected as the video location, the backdrop transformed through CGI animation into a fantastical, tropical setting as the song progresses.
And to think that this all began 53 years ago, via the date that is the 11th July, 1966. Here is an interesting discussion between George Martin (*Who many in the Music Industry call the 5thBeetle (UK) and the man himself Brian Wilson – The Beech Boys USA) on what they think makes the single so special.
My personal thoughts on this single are that it's one of the great songs that have been written within the 20th Century. The Lead vocalist that is Carl Wilson, sang this to perfection.
However, it was the background singer and the background instruments/music that brought this legendary status. Even though it did not figure well in the country of its origin (USA)when it was first released in 1966.
In my, and many other music lovers around the world consider this to be the best track that The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson ever wrote.
I am just wondering though if some other singer had sung this first. For instance Karen Carpenter, Luther Vandross, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, Marvin Gaye ???
Would their take on it be even better???
Or was Carl Wilson, the right man for the job??? Give me your views on this.
Well, that's all folks for me now anyway.
Please
Dj Mistri and the Electric Soul Show © www.electricsoulshow.com
