God Only Knows BBC Music ad

[shelter]

And the fact that that crappy little group O*e D*******n are on it leaves me appalled.

I think it's great that they participated. By simply being in that video, One Direction has made 'God Only Knows' cool for thousands of music fans who will still be on this planet 70 years from now. How great is that? There's no more effective way to "spread the word" and to make The Beach Boys' music live on for many more decades than to have a group like One Direction pay tribute to it.

[The Shift]

Physical disc available now on Amazon Uk

[beatnickle]

 I was thrilled like everyone else upon seeing this great tribute to Brian and his music. The video itself was beautiful. That being said I thought the arrangement of the song could have been a bit better. I thought that the vocal break in the middle was the worst part. It wasn't exploited as much as it should have been. But, generally speaking, I found it moving none the less. God bless Brian Wilson.

[Jim Rockford]

And the fact that that crappy little group O*e D*******n are on it leaves me appalled.

I think it's great that they participated. By simply being in that video, One Direction has made 'God Only Knows' cool for thousands of music fans who will still be on this planet 70 years from now. How great is that? There's no more effective way to "spread the word" and to make The Beach Boys' music live on for many more decades than to have a group like One Direction pay tribute to it.

It doesn't bother me that they're on it. I think people just like to bitch and moan about everything. I'm glad all these people participated. Just goes to show the song will never get old. I wish America had stuff like this.

[37!ws]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- Some of the singers were TERRIBLY over-singing their parts, and...more than anything:
- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.
- The video is so frucking ridiculous.

Charity single? Great. Recognition for "God Only Knows"? Better. But it doesn't change the fact that it was embarrassing for me to watch.

[Cyncie]

Yeah they really ran Brian's vocal through the machine.

But it was great to see him end the video.

Love Brian!!!!

Actually , no.  This thing has been in the works for about four months...Brian doubled his vocal with echo becasuse thats the way he recorded Carl on the original.  

Thanks for that. I was surprised at the usual "auto tuning" complaints.  I'm no audio genius, but I just assumed Brian was double tracked to duplicate the sound of the original.  Overall, I thought this was a nice tribute, even if I didn't know half of the participants. The video was a little overblown "artsy," but that's just my own tastes.

[Awesoman]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- Some of the singers were TERRIBLY over-singing their parts, and...more than anything:
- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.
- The video is so frucking ridiculous.

Charity single? Great. Recognition for "God Only Knows"? Better. But it doesn't change the fact that it was embarrassing for me to watch.

Yes, the good Brits like to overcook the turkey sometimes.  Still, it was less pretentious than the "Perfect Day" video.  There were also an impressive line-up of people involved.

[MugginsXO]

Very nice to see Sam Smith on here. Guy has an incredible voice.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I know I'm not in the best possible frame of mind right now, but seriously, there are people here who would find something to bitch about at the Second Coming. Brian's getting immense exposure in a quality context, a charity is benefitting, the whole thing was a great surprise to almost everyone here... and that's still not enough from some. Listen up and stop being such spoiled brats - you can't have everything your way.

[Wirestone]

It's on the level of the highest quality C50 promotion. And that was pretty good already.

Also, God bless Brian May.

[Jim Rockford]

I know I'm not in the best possible frame of mind right now, but seriously, there are people here who would find something to bitch about at the Second Coming. Brian's getting immense exposure in a quality context, a charity is benefitting, the whole thing was a great surprise to almost everyone here... and that's still not enough from some. Listen up and stop being such spoiled brats - you can't have everything your way.

I agree fully.

[guitarfool2002]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.

I want to address this, not to change opinions or anything but just to share what *I* heard in this recording. And as it was already said what the reasons were and how Brian mixed his segments that way, this is my own impression. Just something to consider.

Each musician got a few seconds of music, a phrase or two in which to work. What I got from watching it several times was that there seem to have been specific attempts to present more than a few artists in a way that brought out what they were known for musically, or perhaps feature the sounds or the style either in performance or sound that they have been known for.

The Brian May segment helped crystallize some of this "concept" if that's what it was. Some artists, perhaps to a lesser degree.

Would you expect to have heard Brian May sing something? Or even play a classical guitar passage? I doubt it. His guitar style has been for 40 years to overdub and harmonize his unique "guitar orchestra", stacking upwards of a half-dozen parts in harmony, using that trusty old hand-built red guitar through his trusty old Vox amps. And that's both the sound and the visual that you got from May in his 5 second spot.

Brian Wilson beyond his songwriting and 60's falsetto vocals on all those classics is known for his productions, his production techniques and the sounds that he created in the studio. Beyond playing his composition, you got to hear in his spot the doubled lead vocals, with reverb/echo chamber sounds that he is known for, even beyond this specific song's original production.

So as Brian May offered a few seconds of his stacked guitars, Stevie Wonder did a harmonica solo along with his vocal, etc...Brian Wilson offered a few seconds of his vocal production techniques dating back to 1962. Doubled lead, echo chamber...all that sonic stuff in that first appearance in the clip.

Just something to consider. Brian-as-songwriter was already represented, so he offered a few studio sounds on his vocal.

At least I perceived it that way.  

[Tablevega]

Wise words from Guitarfool.  I'm glad to see this is the first option on the BBC iPlayer page...I've also had three people share it on Facebook, not at all the sort of people who'd normally be BB fans.  And Paul Merton did a random Beach Boys reference on Have I Got news for You last night.  I like to think there's a buzz growing in the Uk.

Watching the video I was struck afresh by something I often think of when I see Brian these days:  what a benign and innocent face he has.  There's no guile there, no sharp-eyed meannness, not even wariness.  Yes, he carries the lineaments of his past pain, but he has also, I think, retained a child-like openness in his expression.  It was good to see him among all these younger, often gorgeous, icons, but his was the face that stood out for me.  There's a sense of peace these days coming from him...it's good to see.

[The Shift]

I know I'm not in the best possible frame of mind right now, but seriously, there are people here who would find something to bitch about at the Second Coming. Brian's getting immense exposure in a quality context, a charity is benefitting, the whole thing was a great surprise to almost everyone here... and that's still not enough from some. Listen up and stop being such spoiled brats - you can't have everything your way.

Well put. I was buzzing last night after seeing/hearing this and still am. The magnitude of this still seems lost on some who seem set on being picky whatever comes our way. "We'll thanks a bunch for the gold bar, you coulda wrapped it…"

Those of us who have followed this band and its members a while have not had it this good in an age.

[rab2591]

Well said guitarfool!

[Cyncie]

I know I'm not in the best possible frame of mind right now, but seriously, there are people here who would find something to bitch about at the Second Coming. Brian's getting immense exposure in a quality context, a charity is benefitting, the whole thing was a great surprise to almost everyone here... and that's still not enough from some. Listen up and stop being such spoiled brats - you can't have everything your way.

Agreed. Brian's hitting on a lot of cylinders right now. Instead of enjoying what we get, we complain because it's not the way we'd do it. Well, I'm not Brian Wilson, so I don't get to say how it's done by Brian Wilson. I get to take it in, and like it or not. But, I don't get to tell Brian how to be Brian.

[Cyncie]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.

I want to address this, not to change opinions or anything but just to share what *I* heard in this recording. And as it was already said what the reasons were and how Brian mixed his segments that way, this is my own impression. Just something to consider.

Each musician got a few seconds of music, a phrase or two in which to work. What I got from watching it several times was that there seem to have been specific attempts to present more than a few artists in a way that brought out what they were known for musically, or perhaps feature the sounds or the style either in performance or sound that they have been known for.

The Brian May segment helped crystallize some of this "concept" if that's what it was. Some artists, perhaps to a lesser degree.

Would you expect to have heard Brian May sing something? Or even play a classical guitar passage? I doubt it. His guitar style has been for 40 years to overdub and harmonize his unique "guitar orchestra", stacking upwards of a half-dozen parts in harmony, using that trusty old hand-built red guitar through his trusty old Vox amps. And that's both the sound and the visual that you got from May in his 5 second spot.

Brian Wilson beyond his songwriting and 60's falsetto vocals on all those classics is known for his productions, his production techniques and the sounds that he created in the studio. Beyond playing his composition, you got to hear in his spot the doubled lead vocals, with reverb/echo chamber sounds that he is known for, even beyond this specific song's original production.

So as Brian May offered a few seconds of his stacked guitars, Stevie Wonder did a harmonica solo along with his vocal, etc...Brian Wilson offered a few seconds of his vocal production techniques dating back to 1962. Doubled lead, echo chamber...all that sonic stuff in that first appearance in the clip.

Just something to consider. Brian-as-songwriter was already represented, so he offered a few studio sounds on his vocal.

At least I perceived it that way.  

Yeah, that's what I took from it, as well. Each artist was giving their own interpretation of their bit of the song. Brian chose to recall the original with his original techniques. Yes, it stood out, because it sounded so 60's. But, it stood out in a good way, and most importantly, in the way Brian wanted it to.

[Justin]

I was thrilled like everyone else upon seeing this great tribute to Brian and his music. The video itself was beautiful. That being said I thought the arrangement of the song could have been a bit better. I thought that the vocal break in the middle was the worst part. It wasn't exploited as much as it should have been. But, generally speaking, I found it moving none the less. God bless Brian Wilson.

That's the only thing that they fell short on, I felt.  With all these great singers, they should have taken that vocal break as a way to show off just how cool Brian's harmony techniques were/are.  I think it would have been cool to hear Lorde's voice rub in harmony with Stevie Wonder's voice.  Would have been a cool moment had they pushed it a bit more.  But overall the ad is beautiful.  Frames Brian and his music very well and definitely makes me proud to be a Beach Boys fan.

[SMiLE Brian]

I know I'm not in the best possible frame of mind right now, but seriously, there are people here who would find something to bitch about at the Second Coming. Brian's getting immense exposure in a quality context, a charity is benefitting, the whole thing was a great surprise to almost everyone here... and that's still not enough from some. Listen up and stop being such spoiled brats - you can't have everything your way.

I agree AGD, add like three  guys!

[Ray Lawlor]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.

I want to address this, not to change opinions or anything but just to share what *I* heard in this recording. And as it was already said what the reasons were and how Brian mixed his segments that way, this is my own impression. Just something to consider.

Each musician got a few seconds of music, a phrase or two in which to work. What I got from watching it several times was that there seem to have been specific attempts to present more than a few artists in a way that brought out what they were known for musically, or perhaps feature the sounds or the style either in performance or sound that they have been known for.

The Brian May segment helped crystallize some of this "concept" if that's what it was. Some artists, perhaps to a lesser degree.

Would you expect to have heard Brian May sing something? Or even play a classical guitar passage? I doubt it. His guitar style has been for 40 years to overdub and harmonize his unique "guitar orchestra", stacking upwards of a half-dozen parts in harmony, using that trusty old hand-built red guitar through his trusty old Vox amps. And that's both the sound and the visual that you got from May in his 5 second spot.

Brian Wilson beyond his songwriting and 60's falsetto vocals on all those classics is known for his productions, his production techniques and the sounds that he created in the studio. Beyond playing his composition, you got to hear in his spot the doubled lead vocals, with reverb/echo chamber sounds that he is known for, even beyond this specific song's original production.

So as Brian May offered a few seconds of his stacked guitars, Stevie Wonder did a harmonica solo along with his vocal, etc...Brian Wilson offered a few seconds of his vocal production techniques dating back to 1962. Doubled lead, echo chamber...all that sonic stuff in that first appearance in the clip.

Just something to consider. Brian-as-songwriter was already represented, so he offered a few studio sounds on his vocal.

At least I perceived it that way.  

You are spot on.  The producer's told Brian to " do whatever you want" ; he decided to go back to the way he cut it originally.

On another note , I surrender.  Where the hell is this thing available for purchase/download ??  I recognize I am a technical moron but I cant find this anywhere.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Just coincidental, but I thought it was neat that the conductor at the beginning looks a bit like Carl.

[Fall Breaks]

Just ordered it - for a ridiculous amount of money for a single, but hey, the profits go to charity so that's okay. (£9.50 including shipping to Sweden!) Hope it will do well in the charts, loved hearing and watching it.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.

I want to address this, not to change opinions or anything but just to share what *I* heard in this recording. And as it was already said what the reasons were and how Brian mixed his segments that way, this is my own impression. Just something to consider.

Each musician got a few seconds of music, a phrase or two in which to work. What I got from watching it several times was that there seem to have been specific attempts to present more than a few artists in a way that brought out what they were known for musically, or perhaps feature the sounds or the style either in performance or sound that they have been known for.

The Brian May segment helped crystallize some of this "concept" if that's what it was. Some artists, perhaps to a lesser degree.

Would you expect to have heard Brian May sing something? Or even play a classical guitar passage? I doubt it. His guitar style has been for 40 years to overdub and harmonize his unique "guitar orchestra", stacking upwards of a half-dozen parts in harmony, using that trusty old hand-built red guitar through his trusty old Vox amps. And that's both the sound and the visual that you got from May in his 5 second spot.

Brian Wilson beyond his songwriting and 60's falsetto vocals on all those classics is known for his productions, his production techniques and the sounds that he created in the studio. Beyond playing his composition, you got to hear in his spot the doubled lead vocals, with reverb/echo chamber sounds that he is known for, even beyond this specific song's original production.

So as Brian May offered a few seconds of his stacked guitars, Stevie Wonder did a harmonica solo along with his vocal, etc...Brian Wilson offered a few seconds of his vocal production techniques dating back to 1962. Doubled lead, echo chamber...all that sonic stuff in that first appearance in the clip.

Just something to consider. Brian-as-songwriter was already represented, so he offered a few studio sounds on his vocal.

At least I perceived it that way.  

You are spot on.  The producer's told Brian to " do whatever you want" ; he decided to go back to the way he cut it originally.

On another note , I surrender.  Where the hell is this thing available for purchase/download ??  I recognize I am a technical moron but I cant find this anywhere.

I can't find it anywhere except for the Amazon UK site.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Yeah, great tribute to Brian and the band and all, and super that he's being shown so much respect by so many, but I hope I never have to sit through it again...
Brian May doing his screechy guitar act? Jamie Cullum? Chris Martin? Dry heave!! And I don't know who that female singer is at 0:45 but oh man, I cannot bare singers who deliberately put on that sort of croaky voice thing when they sing, presumably under the mistaken impression that it sounds sexy or meaningful or whatever... I'm afraid I just found the whole thing revoltingly twee and suffocatingly middle-class. And yeah i know it's for charity etc. But that's genuinely how I felt watching it and this is an opinion board after all. Implying that if people don't want to say nice things about this video then they shouldn't say anything at all, as some have done, is just daft. Democracy etc.

And as I said, kudos for showing Brian so much respect and all I just don't want to ever see it again.

[GoodVibrations33]

I'm one of the few who hated it. Why?

- The overproduction on Brian sticks out alongside every other singer.

I want to address this, not to change opinions or anything but just to share what *I* heard in this recording. And as it was already said what the reasons were and how Brian mixed his segments that way, this is my own impression. Just something to consider.

Each musician got a few seconds of music, a phrase or two in which to work. What I got from watching it several times was that there seem to have been specific attempts to present more than a few artists in a way that brought out what they were known for musically, or perhaps feature the sounds or the style either in performance or sound that they have been known for.

The Brian May segment helped crystallize some of this "concept" if that's what it was. Some artists, perhaps to a lesser degree.

Would you expect to have heard Brian May sing something? Or even play a classical guitar passage? I doubt it. His guitar style has been for 40 years to overdub and harmonize his unique "guitar orchestra", stacking upwards of a half-dozen parts in harmony, using that trusty old hand-built red guitar through his trusty old Vox amps. And that's both the sound and the visual that you got from May in his 5 second spot.

Brian Wilson beyond his songwriting and 60's falsetto vocals on all those classics is known for his productions, his production techniques and the sounds that he created in the studio. Beyond playing his composition, you got to hear in his spot the doubled lead vocals, with reverb/echo chamber sounds that he is known for, even beyond this specific song's original production.

So as Brian May offered a few seconds of his stacked guitars, Stevie Wonder did a harmonica solo along with his vocal, etc...Brian Wilson offered a few seconds of his vocal production techniques dating back to 1962. Doubled lead, echo chamber...all that sonic stuff in that first appearance in the clip.

Just something to consider. Brian-as-songwriter was already represented, so he offered a few studio sounds on his vocal.

At least I perceived it that way.  

You are spot on.  The producer's told Brian to " do whatever you want" ; he decided to go back to the way he cut it originally.

On another note , I surrender.  Where the hell is this thing available for purchase/download ??  I recognize I am a technical moron but I cant find this anywhere.

Here's the iTunes link, although it may only work in the UK:  https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/god-only-knows-bbc-music-single/id925213027

It's currently number 15 on the UK iTunes singles chart!