Even music legends get emotional when they listen to songs. And for Beatles star Paul McCartney, there’s one song that never fails to hit him hard that it makes him cry. For someone who helped write “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Blackbird,” you’d expect McCartney to be the one making people tear up.
But when he hears “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, the tears are his. The song, written by the late Brian Wilson, isn’t just a favorite for Paul, it’s the only one he says can truly move him to tears every time.
Paul McCartney broke down the first time he heard “God Only Knows”
RIP to Brian Wilson. The Beach Boys legend died at 82.
Paul McCartney has said “God Only Knows” is the greatest song ever written and one of the few to bring him to tears.
In 2000, McCartney inducted Wilson into the Songwriters Hall of Fame with a heartfelt speech:
“He wrote… pic.twitter.com/kpO5Kz1D2F
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) June 11, 2025
Paul once shared how the first time he sang “God Only Knows” live with Brian Wilson, he couldn’t even finish the rehearsal without breaking down. “It’s really just a love song,” he said, “but it’s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian.” During a soundcheck in Los Angeles back in 2002, Paul and Brian were preparing to perform the song together. But for Paul, it was too much. “I broke down,” he admitted. “It does my head in.”
Fans have often wondered why the two music icons never recorded an official track together. Some pointed out that Paul did have a quiet, almost hidden role on a Beach Boys song. He played the sound of chewing celery on their quirky track “Vegetables.”
Brian Wilson has passed away at 82
The conversation about “God Only Knows” has returned recently following Brian Wilson’s death at 82. He had battled dementia for some time before his passing. His family announced the news through his official Instagram page, prompting an outpouring of tributes from musicians and fans around the world.
On Reddit, fans remembered how Paul once called “God Only Knows,” “one of the few songs that reduces me to tears.” And many recalled that 2002 benefit performance, where the two legends stood side by side singing the song.