Songs that are an homage to Brian Wilson's songwriting

Of Montreal -- Lysergic Bliss

Smile-style fun from another Athens band

 

The Tokens - Droplet Of Water

 

Yeah, the whole Elephant 6 collective, including Apples in Stereo and Olivia Tremor Control, clearly owe a huge debt to Brian. Here's one that comes to mind from OTC's second album:

 

Erm... The Beatles - Back In The U.S.S.R.

 

Sagittarius - My World Fell Down

 

The Smoke - Cowboys And Indians

 

Teenage Fanclub -- Ain't That Enough

 

Pugwash -- It's Nice to be Nice

 

(@3:50) David Thomas 'imagines' a conversation between himself and Brian!

 

Stereolab's "Caleidoscopic Gaze" does the Smile-style variations on a theme.

 

The Beta Band's "Wonderful"

 

"Chalkhills and Children" is one of the best. It clearly owes a creative debt to Wilson, but it doesn't come across like a pastiche like "Pale and Precious" (wonderful though that is). I always thought the line "Icarus regrets and retires puzzled" was a nod to Brian.

 

More R.E.M: "I've Been High," "Beat a Drum," and several other songs from Reveal.
And I always thought "Star Me Kitten" was a Brian Wilson homage.

 

because of illness this was my theme song for about 12 of the last 30 years....

 

I love this Teenage Fanclub song that evoques me more the Byrds than Brian.

 

So many great songs by Eric that are Brian Wilson/Beach Boys sounding ...

I THINK I FOUND MYSELF - ERIC CARMEN 1977

 

Eric Carmen - Brand New Year. (GOD only knows that we could all use one of these right now, right?)

 

The Ivy League - Lonely Room

 

First Class "Beach Baby"

 

This song always reminded me of the Beach Boys

 

I think this was very obviously inspired by "Wouldn't It Be Nice"



White Plains / I've Got You On My Mind

 

Dinosaur Jr.- "Take a Run at the Sun"

 

Dinosaur Jr. - "The Pickle Song"