No other album besides The Who’s Quadrophenia has impacted my life more than The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, which was originally released on May 16, 1966. The album is celebrating its 46th anniversary today.
Songwriter and producer Brian Wilson (with lyricist Tony Asher) created a kaleidoscope of teenage emotions with Pet Sounds: the hopeful romanticism of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”; the spiritual paean to love and devotion that is “God Only Knows”; the troubling introspection of “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”; the heartbreaking disillusionment of “Caroline No”; and all the feelings and anxieties that fill the songs in between.
Thank you Brian for this groundbreaking work of pop music. It is no wonder that this unorthodox pop album has withstood the test of time, with its universal themes of love and heartbreak, brilliant instrumentation and gorgeous Beach Boys harmonies. I love this album so much.
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