Which song is their most emotionally powerful?

[Jukka]

Big Sur conjures the feeling of "hey, everything's alright, things ain't so bad after all"
better than any other track. Makes you realize world is a nice place after all, and it's an important realization.

Same goes for California.

[sockittome]

I haven't seen Forever listed anywhere...or did I miss it.  That would be #1 on my list....or pretty close to the top.

Also, as mentioned earlier:

Warmth of the Sun
All I Wanna do (emphasis is there for clarity)
God Only Knows

[Jim V.]

Hmmm. Emotionally powerful....

Probably have to go with "Summer's Gone". I honestly don't like to listen to this one very often because of how sad it is.

Otherwise, I'd throw in "Surf's Up", "'Til I Die", "Don't Talk", and "Lonely Sea".

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Let the Wind Blow
Caroline, No
Be With Me
Where I Belong
Lonely Sea
Baby Blue

[halblaineisgood]

Catch A Wave makes me feel like I'm sittin' on top of the world!! I pity the fool who dismisses the surfing songs.

[Moz from Oz]

For pure heartfelt emotion , Baby Blue, Only With You and Forever do it for me. Always makes me think of Mrs Moz from Oz. But a powerful emotion hit during the reunion shows I saw. Watching Brian sing IJWMFTT and with Al responding on the tag "He just wasn't made for these times" was a moment  that hit the spot

[phirnis]

Catch A Wave makes me feel like I'm sittin' on top of the world!! I pity the fool who dismisses the surfing songs.

Yes, what an incredible song! Always baffled me that this wasn't even a single (until the mid-70s, that is). "Get yourself a big board/But don't you treat it like a toy!" - That's always been my favorite part, early Beach Boys at their most overwhelmingly powerful!

[Junebug]

Lets Put Our Hearts Together

'lets see what we can cook up between us......."

[sheknowsmetoowell]

Also, Let's Go Away For A While.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Also, Let's Go Away For A While.

Agree with that!
 

[Wah Wah Wah Ooooo]

My top 5 are:

'Til I Die
God Only Knows
In My Room
Don't Worry Baby
Forever

[Micha]

I find it interesting that no SMiLE songs are mentioned here except one "Surf's Up amongst others". I expected half of the entries to be "Surf's Up" and another quarter other SMiLE songs. I'm delighted to see more than one mention of "Summer's Gone" which I love too.

To me the most emotional ones are "God Only Knows" (especially the tag), and the organ solo in "Wendy" which always gives me gooseflesh.

[donald]

A lot of their songs have a strong emotional pull.   Some are pure Joy, and some are exquisitely sad and wistful.
I don't think many other artists have touched both emotional poles so many times over a career...right up to and including the new album.  And often as not, it is the melody as much as the lyrics.  Summers Gone, for example.

[Phoenix]

"Don't Worry Baby" is second favorite BB song, just behind "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and I'm not nearly a fan of Dennis's stuf as a lot of people on this bored but as far as "emotionally powerful", I'd put "4th Of July" over even DWB and pretty darn near the top of the list.

[Margarita]

I agree with every song that has been posted here, and have a few more to add:

Kiss Me Baby - tell me that "And I wondered, as it got light, were you still awake like me?" doesn't hit you in the gut every time.

From There to Back Again - "Why don't you run away and spend some time with me/On this summer's day, there's nowhere else I'd rather be" - Pet Sounds level of longing

That's Not Me - "I miss my pad and the places I've known, and every night as I lay there alone I would dream"

Here Today - "Well, you know I hate to be a downer, but I'm the guy she left before you found her"

And if Brian solo songs count...Midnight's Another Day - "All these people, they made me feel so alone" - heard that song twice in concert and sobbed through it both times.  Hearing it live is even more devastating than the recorded version.

[lee]

Please Let Me Wonder
All I Wanna Do
Barbara
Don't Talk
Our Sweet Love

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Mount Vernon and Fairway Theme
Brian being on the cusp of madness, so frail, and fragile. It really shows here to me. The piano is so gorgeous, and sad. Longing for something.

[filledeplage]

Catch A Wave makes me feel like I'm sittin' on top of the world!! I pity the fool who dismisses the surfing songs.

Yes, what an incredible song! Always baffled me that this wasn't even a single (until the mid-70s, that is). "Get yourself a big board/But don't you treat it like a toy!" - That's always been my favorite part, early Beach Boys at their most overwhelmingly powerful!

Yes!  Elation! 

We often think of more profound stuff, but, that empowered feeling, of clearing some hurdle in life, can not be denied! 

Catch a Wave!  Great choice! Bravo!