Paul McCartney, a famous singer from The Beatles, has said many times that he loves the song “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys from 1966. In 2012, he talked about it with his friend Ronnie Wood, a guitarist from The Rolling Stones. Paul told a story about how he got so emotional that he cried when he sang the song with Brian Wilson, the guy who wrote it.
This happened when Paul and Brian were practicing for a charity concert in 2002 called Adopt-a-Minefield. Paul said, “I was fine during the real show, but at practice, I couldn’t stop crying. The song is so special to me, and singing it with Brian was a big deal. It was too much—I couldn’t sing it right.”
Paul also talked about how The Beatles and The Beach Boys were friendly rivals in the 1960s. They pushed each other to make better music. “Brian was an amazing songwriter,” Paul said. “I loved playing with chords and harmonies back then. We’d make a song, Brian would hear it, and then he’d make one even better. It was like a game with me and John Lennon. We always tried to outdo each other.”
Paul told Ronnie that “God Only Knows” is his favorite Beach Boys song. It’s from their 1966 album Pet Sounds, with words by Tony Asher and music by Brian Wilson. “I love everything about it—the tune, the harmony, the words,” Paul said. “It’s just the best.”
Ronnie and Paul also talked about how music can make you feel better. Ronnie said, “It’s cool to feel so much from a song, right? Not many people can do that.” Paul agreed, “Music is just little sounds that touch your heart. It’s simple, but it can do big things for you.”
Ronnie added, “When you play a song you love, it’s like a special moment. It reminds you of fun times or people you care about. I bet Brian was thinking, ‘Wow, I’m singing with Paul!’ while you were thinking the same about him. That’s awesome!” Paul said, “Yes, and music can really heal you—it’s powerful.”
The concert where Paul and Brian sang together happened on September 18, 2002, in Los Angeles at the Century Plaza Hotel. Brian started the show, and Paul joined him at the end to sing “God Only Knows.” You can hear it on YouTube.
Ronnie interviewed Paul for his radio show, The Ronnie Wood Show, in 2012. It was also filmed for a TV program on Sky Arts in the UK. Their chat showed how much they both love music and how it brings people together.
