The two musicians most often named as the greatest pop songwriters of the second half of the twentieth century share a remarkable origin story. They were born just days apart and across a widening ocean: one in Liverpool, the other in California. It took them more than two decades to meet face to face, yet their destinies were already intertwined. The ambition and creativity shown on the Beatles’ Rubber Soul album inspired Brian Wilson to write and help produce songs for the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds project. For many, God Only Knows stands as McCartney’s personal favorite piece of music.
Arthur Conan Doyle once noted that talent recognizes genius instantly. By the mid-1960s, the Beatles and the Beach Boys viewed each other as rivals in a rapid, boundary-pushing pop music race. The Beach Boys’ frontman, a dazzling newcomer, absorbed the Beatles’ energetic breakthrough and pushed his own group beyond songs about beaches, girls, and cars toward a more sophisticated sonic landscape. The early results appeared in compositions such as I’m Waiting Here and other evolving explorations.
Girl don’t tell me
In mid-1965, the Beach Boys expanded their album with a new track and openly acknowledged the influence of the Beatles. The song carries a playful nod to car culture and freedom, reflecting Wilson’s evolving mindset as he navigated a period of personal transition. He initially considered sending the track to the Liverpool quartet before choosing to pursue a version with his own band, deciding against it for fear of embarrassment.
The Beatles began to take note of the Beach Boys’ work and the broader direction of the Californians’ album projects. A curious collection released later that year included tributes to some of the Fab Four’s songs, highlighting the cross-pollination between the two groups. The Beatles’ Rubber Soul, with its groundbreaking vocal harmonies, became a clear beacon in the emerging sunshine pop scene and established the Beach Boys as major participants in that evolving soundscape.
From Rubber Soul to Pet Sounds
Rubber Soul introduced a new level of sonic exploration, and Wilson took it personally as a challenge. He described a moment of revelation after hearing the album, which inspired a concerted effort to create an equally ambitious record. The result was Pet Sounds, a landmark project that redefined production and arrangement for pop music. The relationship between Rubber Soul and Pet Sounds became a focal point in the industry’s understanding of how rival influences could spark artistic breakthroughs.
Pet Sounds drew immediate admiration from Paul McCartney and the Beach Boys’ producer George Martin. McCartney recalled being overwhelmed by its scale and ambition, recognizing it as a turning point for popular music. He and Martin both situated Pet Sounds as a touchstone alongside the era-defining Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, while acknowledging influences seen earlier in Paul’s own ballad Here, There and Everywhere from another project.
Soon after, a breakthrough moment arrived when McCartney and Wilson crossed paths at a party in Los Angeles. The encounter featured a screening of an ambitious new single and a lively exchange about its sonic complexity. Though the conversation highlighted the depth of Pet Sounds, the discussion also underscored how far each side was prepared to push the other toward greater emotional scope in their music.
You must hurry up
When Wilson and McCartney met again, the dynamic shifted. McCartney brought an angle rooted in Sgt. Pepper’s techniques, while Wilson faced the challenge of keeping the Beach Boys focused on a unifying project after a turbulent period of experimentation. The studio session revealed a stark contrast in outlooks, and a famous moment involved McCartney’s playful yet dissecting approach to arranging a key track. The exchange underscored a shared sense that the Beach Boys needed to accelerate their progress toward a more integrated sound.
Amid the tension, the ambitious SMiLE project encountered its own struggles. The ambitious concept began to dominate the Beach Boys’ workflow, pulling attention away from other priorities and exposing vulnerabilities in the creative process. The competition between the two groups felt intensifying, and personal battles with mental health and creative pressure colored the narrative. In the broader arc, McCartney’s tribute to the Beach Boys during this period became a meaningful counterpoint to the friction and showcased a mutual respect despite the strain.
Despite the challenges, McCartney remained engaged with the American rival, maintaining contact even in difficult times. In later years, Wilson’s achievements were honored with invitations to speak at major events, and memorable collaborations emerged, including a duet that revisited a classic ballad. The affection for that enduring song anchored a sense of connection between the two artists and reinforced the belief in the enduring power of their shared legacy.