10 Classic Rock Songs That Should've Been Singles
6. Don't Talk (Put Your Head on my Shoulder) - The Beach Boys
It's staggering to think how many people didn't believe in Pet Sounds when it was first released. Though it may be heralded as a classic album nowadays, Brian Wilson's epic artistic proclamation was originally looked at as career suicide, with labels thinking Wilson was misguided trying to make a pop opus. For all the "God Only Knows"'s of the world, "Don't Talk" is one of the more subtle examples of the album's beauty.
While the entire album explores the feelings of love beautifully, this kind of tune is Wilson at his most charming, almost as if he still had that spark of teenage naivety in his mind. Led by Wilson himself, the studio band the Wrecking Crew provide beautiful backing instrumentation, with strings that cascade across your speakers as Wilson assures his flame that things are going to work out even if it seems grim.
Pet Sounds didn't necessarily change the Beach Boys' musical style, but "Don't Talk" is just one example of how these disposable pop singles could have a bit more substance to them than just the "holding hands" type of rock tunes. Even if it seems a little cheesy nowadays, just throw this song on, don't talk, and soak into the genius of this record.