Carnie Wilson, daughter of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, once recounted waking each morning to “Be My Baby” blasting through the family home. The 1963 Ronettes classic—“DUM. Da-da da DUM”—echoed daily as her father chased the perfection he heard in its “wall of sound.” Wilson called it “the greatest record ever produced,” a benchmark he never surpassed but spent his career pursuing.
An Idol Among Fans
Brian Wilson’s public admiration for “Be My Baby” reveals the simple truth at the heart of musical genius: great artists are often their own biggest fans. Like anyone else, Wilson stood in awe of fellow musicians, proof that icons and their audiences share a common passion. When Bruce Springsteen or Florence Welch profess their love for the same records you cherish, it unites listeners and performers in a shared musical fellowship.
A Legacy of Reverence
Following Wilson’s death at age 82 this week, tributes poured in from every musical corner. Patti Smith, Bruno Mars, Iggy Pop, Elton John, Paul Simon, Janelle Monáe, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, the Gibb brothers, The Eagles—and, of course, John Lennon and Paul McCartney—all cited the Beach Boys, Pet Sounds or “God Only Knows” as life-changing. That mutual admiration fueled the greatest musical rivalry: The Beatles’ Rubber Soul inspired Pet Sounds, which in turn sparked Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Song That Binds Generations
Yet it is “God Only Knows”—with its soaring harmonies and pure emotional core—that stands as the ultimate shared password among fans. Sting paused his German tour to commemorate Wilson’s passing; Paul McCartney hailed Wilson’s notes as “simple and brilliant.” In an instant, that song becomes a marker of musical kinship: if someone loves it too, you know you speak the same language.
Keeping Memories Alive Through Music
When an artist like Wilson dies, we lose more than a voice—we lose a connection to our younger selves. Their music endures, but that secret bond between artist and fan can feel farther away. This weekend, audiences worldwide will play Wilson’s songs—the same ones that soundtracked formative years—preserving both the music and the memories it holds.
Looking Ahead
As we mourn Brian Wilson, we celebrate his humble devotion to the art he loved. In his memory, we’ll continue to share “God Only Knows”—a testament to the enduring power of a song that unites musicians and fans, past and present, in perfect harmony.
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