The Beach Boys' 1966 song "God Only Knows" has been named the greatest pop song of all time, exactly six decades after it was first released. The track topped a ranking of the 25 most outstanding pop songs in history published by Collider, according to Parade.
The song appeared on the band's 11th studio album, Pet Sounds, and was written by Brian Wilson together with Tony Asher.
Why the lyrics stood out
Collider pointed to the song's lyrics as its defining feature. Unlike many romantic songs, the composition does not idealize love but instead acknowledges the possibility of a relationship ending. The ranking's authors said it was this vulnerability and realistic view of relationships that made the song so significant for pop music.
The Beach Boys, led by Brian Wilson, were an American band that rose to fame in the 1960s and are widely regarded as one of the most influential acts in pop music history, known for blending intricate harmonies with experimental studio production on albums such as Pet Sounds.
How the song came together
The creation of the song was surprisingly fast. In one interview, Brian Wilson said that writing the track with Asher took about an hour, and that the pair quickly realized they had created something special. Wilson later said he found the opening verse especially powerful, as it began with the admission that love would not necessarily last forever.
That line came about because Asher wanted to move away from the usual clichés of love songs, deliberately choosing an unexpected opening that hinted at the possible end of a relationship. Asher said Wilson may have had some initial doubts about the idea, but the musicians kept it in the song anyway.
Chart history and legacy
In September 1966, "God Only Knows" reached number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The song later came to be regarded as one of The Beach Boys' most influential works and a classic of pop music.
Collider's ranking also included "In My Life" by The Beatles, "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes, "Waterloo Sunset" by The Kinks, "Style" by Taylor Swift and "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman.
