Thursday 9th October

It was 1966 and I was 15 and precocious.  No, I mean really precocious – not like now, just a bit precocious.  I was into Art, drawing and painting, and even then I was writing.  Poems mostly, and quite nasty ones; me against the World.  And I was also in love with music.  I had worshipped the Beatles and all that came along with them; each new group and record seeming to top the last.  I can remember quite clearly having written a few days earlier a poem with the words “God Only Knows” in them; possibly God Only Knows How Serious/Brilliant/Persecuted I Am, or something along those lines.

And then I couldn’t believe it I heard the Beach Boys new single.  I had loved California Girls and Sloop John B and cannot remember if this was before Good Vibrations or not – but I was definitely a fan.  And my immediate thought was – Shit, they’ve stolen my words.  I eventually forgave them and learnt to love the song.

Last night (Tuesday) at 8.00 in the evening with absolutely no warning and what I thought was just an ad for some classical series the BBC launched their star-studded version of “God Only Knows”.  What a revelation, a brilliant interpretation, and such a wonderful video using all sorts of CGI in such a pleasant way.  It was the same format they used for “A Perfect Day” a few years ago.  I sat spellbound and tried to recognize the fantastic array of artists.  Elton, Stevie, Chris, Kylie, Jake Bugg, One Direction and of course Brian Wilson himself (among many others).

Just superb.  Well done the BBC.  You cannot imagine anyone else doing it.