Surfboards, harmonies… and sonic madness.
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Released: 1966
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The mastermind: Brian Wilson (a genius with a touch of beautiful chaos)
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The goal: Not just a song — a full-on pocket symphony
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Studio time: Over 90 hours across 17 sessions. Yep, for one song
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Cost: $50,000+ — insanely expensive back then
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Fun fact: It was almost left off the album because it was so complex
Why it’s special:
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Sounds like nothing else at the time — part pop, part psychedelia, part experiment
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That theremin (you know, that woo-woo ghost sound)? Total game-changer
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Still Beach Boys — lush harmonies, sunshine-y vibes, but trippier
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Changes mood and tempo like five songs in one — but it works
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Feels like a ride: from dreamy to weird to joyful — all in 3 and a half minutes
The legacy:
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Ahead of its time — inspired everything from Queen to Tame Impala
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Went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
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Proof that pop music can be ambitious, weird, and still totally catchy