Songs that are an homage to Brian Wilson's songwriting

...that are not by the Beach Boys, or members of the Beach Boys. I'm sure there are many. I'll star with three---let's get a list going

1) REM - At My Most Beautiful
2) Paul McCartney - New
3) REM - Beach Ball

 

Elton John - Since God Invented Girls

 

The High Llamas album Hawaii

 

Mr. Wilson-John Cale

 

Mike Keneally's 2001 from the Wooden Smoke album.

 

Another R.E.M.: “Near Wild Heaven”
Raspberries: “Drivin’ Around”

 

Chris White, "Spanish Wine"

 

Roy Wood, "Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs"

 

Anything by Wonderments, particularly Tracy Hide.

 

Roland Orzabal

 

Haven't heard any of their other work, but the first album by The Explorers Club is straight up Beach Boys homage. 'Forever' being the best of the bunch.

 

This is an obscure but great Wilson style track...



Well worth a listen.

 

Lost Dogs - “Jesus Loves You, Brian Wilson”

 

ABBA's "Happy Hawaii"
(1976 b-side)

 

From the Zombies?

 

Pale and Precious-The Dukes of Stratosphear

 

"Pale and Precious" by Dukes of Stratosphear was clearly supposed to be a nod to Smile era Brian.

 

think i recall elvis costello saying he had carl wilson's voice in mind while writing "all grown up." can't recall if he said he had brian in mind as far as the songwriting goes, but i can see it as distant cousin of "when i grow up to be a man."

 

BB meets prog rock

 

Apparently not.

Chris White (4)

 

"My Girl" - Brian Rachmaninoff

 

Yeah, I wondered.

 

Bill Demain (Swan Dive) - Begin

 

This one is a little more Todd Rundgren, but I hear some Brian Wilson in there, especially with the "bah bah bahs."

Lewis Taylor - Leader of the Band

 

Weird Al---Pancreas. It's actually a little cool one of the most ambitious and pitch perfect SMILE rips is from him.