Brian Wilson’s favorite Beach Boys album

Founded in Hawthorne, California, back in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally formed by brothers Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.

In the following years, they became one of the biggest groups in the world, scoring many number-one hits and even being considered the American rivals of The Beatles. Over the past six decades, the band has released 29 studio albums, making it difficult for fans to choose their favorite. However, the band’s mastermind, Brian Wilson, once revealed which album is his favorite.

Which is Brian Wilson’s favorite Beach Boys album

The most influential and famous Beach Boys album is “Pet Sounds”, released in 1966. It was even was a big influence to The Beatles at the time. However, as Brian Wilson said back in 2002, in a video posted on his social media, his favorite one is “The Beach Boys Love You”, released in 1977.

In an interview mentioned in the book “Catch a Wave” (2006), Brian Wilson said it was the best album the group ever made. “That’s when it all happened for me. That’s where my heart lies. Love You, Jesus, that’s the best album we ever made.”

Although it was released as an album by The Beach Boys, the record is considered a Brian Wilson solo effort. The reason is because it was originally called “Brian Loves You”. The musician wrote almost all the material and played nearly every instrument on the record. He even considers this album his life-defining work and best album since “Pet Sounds”.

The 2 songs Brian Wilson said are his favorites from “The Beach Boys Love You”

With 14 songs, the album has many great tracks and in an interview for Caroline Now! in 2000, Brian revealed which were two of his favorite ones. He was asked how he was able to write so many great songs if he was having a rough time when the record was made.

“I think because I felt so sad I had to bring out my feelings. Try to create music that would make me and all my friends feel better. I think the ‘Love You’ album is one of the best we have ever made. My favourites are ‘I Wanna Pick You Up’ and ‘Ding Dang’.”

That was a good cut, wasn’t it? Just a very short song, that’s all. One of the shortest records we have ever made. It’s funny because now people are beginning to see that album as a classic. It was quite revolutionary in its use of synthesizers,” Brian Wilson said.

Although Brian was in charge of most things in that record, even being the producer, the other members also helped. Especially his brothers Dennis and Carl, who were mentioned as the main collaborators. Al Jardine and Mike Love were more present as vocalists in some songs and as co-writers in a few tracks.

Al Jardine co-wrote “Good Time” with Brian and Mike Love shared the songwriting credits with Brian in “Let Us Go On This Way”. Curiously, The Byrds singer and guitarist Roger McGuinn co-wrote the song “Ding Dang” with Wilson.