For the love of music, indeed, BBC. A most resounding rendition of Brian Wilson's own "God Only Knows" has premiered at BBC Music, which features a star-studded cast of Beach Boys fans, including pop stars like One Direction and Pharrell to classical and opera sensations like Danielle de Niese and Nicola Benedetti.
Superseding the whole "We Are the World" efforts, this sounds pretty fresh and lands nicely. Vocalists do not sound bogged down — though I wish they would have given Jake Bugg a better line — and the BBC Concert Orchestra resonates clearly.
The single has a clear message at the end, with "For the love of music" superimposed over a feather falling on piano keys. But the track will also be released as a charity single to benefit the BBC's Children in Need program.
To celebrate the launch of BBC Music, thus, some of the biggest names in music across the board teamed up to honor The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, a legendary songwriter.
According to Pitchfork and BBC Music, the cast is as follows:
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Lorde, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Sam Smith, Dave Grohl, Kylie Minogue, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Queen's Brian May, Elton John, One Direction, Jake Bugg, Emeli Sandé, Paloma Faith, Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Danielle de Niese, Nicola Benedetti, Eliza Carthy, Baaba Maal, Jamie Cullum and Jaz Dhami. BBC personalities Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne, Katie Derham, Gareth Malone and Jools Holland also participated. They were joined by the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Congratulations to everyone involved. The product is a wonderfully light-hearted cover for the kids and really comes through as a thoughtful concept.
In case you missed it, watch it below:
