Ep. 276: A discussion on Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys “God Only Knows”

Chris DeMakes A Podcast

Chris DeMakes

Music History, Music Commentary, Music, Music Interviews

4.9 • 923 Ratings

🗓️ 22 September 2025

⏱️ 61 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Chris and Chris dive into Brian Wilson’s life leading up to the creation of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and take a closer look at the beautiful and complex “God Only Knows.” Originally released as the B-side to “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the song wasn’t a major hit at the time, but has gone on to become one of the most revered and timeless tracks in pop music history. With Brian Wilson’s passing earlier this year, the conversation also reflects on his influence and the emotional weight this song continues to carry nearly six decades later. Chris DeMakes A Podcast is brought to you by DistroKid, the ultimate partner for taking your music to the next level. Get 30% off your first YEAR with DistroKid by signing up at ⁠http://distrokid.com/vip/demakes For bonus episode of The After Party podcast, an extensive back catalog of past After Party episodes, early ad-free releases of new episodes of Chris DeMakes A Podcast, full video versions of episodes, and MUCH more, head to the Patreon at ⁠http://www.ChrisDeMakes.com Follow Chris DeMakes A Podcast on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrisdemakesapodcast/⁠ Join the Chris DeMakes A Podcast community on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2643961642526928/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, hey, have you heard?
0:02.0	I'm going back to Las Vegas and the Punk Rock Museum to give guided tours.
0:06.0	This happens to coincide with the When We Were Young Festival.
0:09.0	I'll be there over the course of four days, October 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th.
0:15.0	Two tours a day, one at 1.30 p.m. and 1 at 4.30 p.m.
0:19.0	These tours will sell out. Space is limited, so grab your
0:23.3	tickets now at the punkrockmuseum.com. I got stories for days, and I can't wait to share them with you.
0:30.1	So don't miss your chance to walk the halls of the museum and share punk rock memories with me.
0:35.4	Head over to the punkrockmuseum.com and get your tickets now.
0:38.8	See you soon.
0:40.4	This episode is brought to you by Distro Kid.
0:49.2	Hey everybody.
0:50.6	On today's episode of Krista Makes a Podcast, we bring you an artist that is sadly no longer
0:55.5	with us. I'm talking about the one, the only, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Brian
1:01.4	Wilson from the Beach Boys. Together with my co-host, Chris Fafalius, we break down the writing,
1:07.7	recording, and lyrical interpretation of his absolute masterpiece, God
1:12.4	Only Knows. Taken from the Beach Boys' groundbreaking 1966 album, Pet Sounds. God Only
1:19.2	Knows is hauntingly beautiful. There isn't another song that sounds like this tune. It's
1:24.8	experimental, moody, hypnotic, and lush, all rolled into one.
1:30.3	Brian's brother Carl provides the lead vocal on this tune, and he hits his performance
1:34.3	straight out of the park.
1:35.3	Surprisingly, God only knows was a B-side.
	...

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