See the making of film. It's the simplicity - the inference that 'I am who I am because of you' - that makes it very personal and tender.”Part of its appeal lies in the complex musical structure and range of instruments not often associated with pop - including the very distinctive French horn - with a quartet of strings adding texture through their counterpoint.The song is told from the point of view of a man or woman facing life after the death of a loved one and it’s a firm favourite amongst musicians as well as pop aficionados. Somehow, even that can't turn it into an art exhibit; its humanity resists the attempt. Written and produced by Brian Wilson with lyricist Tony Asher and younger brother Carl Wilson on vocals, it was released in 1966 as part of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album. This single is also in aid of this year's BBC Children in Need campaign. To me, this song is a goodbye to being a kid, and hoping that love actually is the answer.”The original album track notes say: “Even during the writing of the song, Brian and Tony Asher knew God Only Knows was going to be something special. God Only Knows has reached almost mythical status in the pop canon. God Only Knows (BBC Music) We've remade The Beach Boys masterpiece God Only Knows with the help of a few friends… BBC Music is delighted to share with you this extraordinary version of … And there have been many notable cover versions from Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet to David Bowie and the Shadows to Joss Stone.
Rolling Stone placed it at 25 in their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and in 2006, Pitchfork magazine crowned God Only Knows as the best song of the 1960s saying: "God Only Knows is so ideally conceptualized and realized, critics can't help but support it. BBC Music created this masterpiece in 2014.

God Only Knows has reached almost mythical status in the pop canon. It reached Number 2 in the UK and Number 39 in the US Charts.It has become one of the most lauded tracks of all time. I mean the great songs. Find out how you can buy a copy here.The original version of God Only Knows, our new version, and 2 tracks from every musician in the "Impossible Orchestra" for good measure!Find out more about the 27 ridiculously talented performers in this unique orchestra.Director of BBC Music Bob Shennan has written about what music means to the BBC, and what the future holds. God Only Knows was written in half an hour, including two arguments between its co-creators. We've remade The Beach Boys masterpiece God Only Knows with the help of a few friends…BBC Music is delighted to share with you this extraordinary version of the Beach Boys' masterpiece, God Only Knows, to celebrate our love of music.With the 80-piece BBC Concert Orchestra at its heart and 27 ridiculously talented musicians from a wide range of genres, this "impossible orchestra" represents the talent, diversity and musical passion found every single day throughout the BBC.We've remade The Beach Boys masterpiece 'God Only Knows'. Many have been affected by the emotional power of its simplicity and honesty. © BBC MMXIV. Not because I wrote the lyrics, but because it is an amazing piece of music that we were able to write a very compelling lyric to. All artists are named as the song progresses. Asher said: God Only Knows is, to me, one of the great songs of our time.