The beautiful Beach Boys song Brian Wilson insisted his brother Carl sing

17 June 2026, 09:39

The Beach Boys have often been reduced to the not-so-small matter of Brian Wilson's incredible genius.

As the band's primary songwriter, arranger, producer and lodestar, that's somewhat understandable.

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But the band were more than Brian, and as well as the rest of the group's songwriting influence, their musicianship and especially their voices were always a key part of what made The Beach Boys what they were.

That interplay of harmonies from Brian, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Al Jardine and Dennis Wilson made The Beach Boys sound like nothing and nobody else.

And Brian was keenly aware of the talents of his brothers and bandmates. So much so, that when he wrote one of his greatest songs, he absolutely knew that he wasn't going to be the one to take the lead vocals.

The Beach Boys - God Only Knows (Official Music Video)

So while Pet Sounds closed with an actual Brian Wilson solo single in 'Caroline, No', he hand-picked his brother Carl to sing one of the Beach Boys' best-loved songs.

Widely hailed as one of the greatest tracks of all time, 'God Only Knows' opened the second side of the album and would also be released as its third single (as a double-A-side with 'Wouldn't It Be Nice').

And Brian told Hit Parader in October 1966 that they had even considered releasing the track under Carl's name, though it was eventually released as the Beach Boys.

“God Only Knows” in Brian’s words.

“I gave the song to Carl because I was looking for a tenderness and a sweetness which I knew Carl had in himself as well as in his voice," Brian said,

"He brought dignity to the song and the words, through him, became not a lyric but words."

"I was honored to be able to sing that one," Carl said.

"It is so beautifully written, it sings itself. Brian said something like, 'Don't do anything with it. Just sing it real straight. No effort. Take in a breath. Let it go real easy'.

God Only Knows (Stack-O-Vocals)

"I was really grateful to be the one to sing that song. I felt extremely lucky."

And he added later to Dr Demento in a radio interview: "It's a special song for me because I sang it and it's one of the first songs I sang."

And in 2007, Brian was asked by Classic Rock about why his performances of the song always brings a standing ovation.

"Because we’ve had a little practice," he joked. "Second of all, Carl is gone. Third, I have to carry what he used to carry.

God Only Knows (Brian Sings Lead / Mix 3/12/66)

"I don’t remember the recording session of it. Too far in the past. The record spoke for itself. And it was a religious experience.

"Carl and I held prayer sessions in our house on Laurel Way. 'Dear God. Please let us bring music to people'. It happened. A lot of people say that Pet Sounds got them through high school or college.

And Brian once told an interviewer of 'God Only Knows': "I wrote it for him to sing. He had the best voice. I think of Carl. I miss him. He was my brother."

As well as singing on the song along with Brian and Bruce Johnston, Carl was the only Beach Boy to actually play an instrument on the tracks, with his 12-string guitar joining the work of the Wrecking Crew.