The Beach boys were a perfect example of the construction that took place in the 60's, starting out as clean-cut, West Coast surfer boys, they quickly moved with the changes that were taking place to create some of the most out there compositions of the era. Legend has it that when The Beatles released their two masterpieces, 'Rubber Soul' and 'Revolver', Brian Wilson decided to match them punch for punch and wrote 'Pet Sounds', from which 'God only knows' emerged as their piece de resistance. Lennon and McCartney, realising that they were in a title fight, hit back with 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band'. This delivered the metaphorical uppercut to Wilson, whose attempt to fight back hit the ropes when he couldn't finish the 'Smile' album. But that's the end of the story, and here's the start, 'God only knows' is one of the most wondrous songs you will ever hear, a total declaration of love with some of the sweetest words ever written. Going against the emerging hippy chic of 'I love everyone', this is very much a story of 'I love you'. With lines as humble as "I may not always love you, but as long as there are stars above you, you need not ever doubt it, I'll make you so sure about it." Not only did they raise the bar for production, vocal harmonies and baroque arrangements, they laid down a statement of intent that The Beatles themselves felt that they had to raise their game to surpass. How many songs can say that?