‘Good Vibrations’ — The Beach Boys
In 1966, the Beach Boys had a smashing success with “Good Vibrations.” It was the most popular song in the United Kingdom and the United States. At the time, it was the most expensive single ever recorded. It cost the studio $50,000! The song was written and produced by Brian Wilson, who was inspired by his interest in cosmic vibrations. When he was a boy, his mother tried to explain to him why dogs snarled at some people but not others. He continued, “A dog would take up vibrations from these guys that you couldn’t see but could feel.” The same thing happened to other people.” One of his goals was to write a better song than “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” He did exactly what he said he would do. Rolling Stone has it at No. 6, but Ranker has it at No. 8.
‘Good Vibrations’ — The Beach Boys
‘Yesterday’ — The Beatles
This has to be the Beatles’ most well-known ballad. The readers of Ranker voted it the third-best song, while Rolling Stone ranked it 13th. It was ranked third on the BMI list of the Top 100 Songs of the Century. After polling music experts and listeners, BBC Radio 2 named it the best song of the twentieth century in 1999. It featured solely Paul McCartney on vocals, accompanied by a string quartet. It was “one of the most instinctive tunes I’ve ever written,” he said. He claimed that the tune occurred to him in a dream while he was staying with his lover at the time, Jane Asher. The band was first “a little embarrassed” about the song because it was so different from their usual fare.
‘Yesterday’ — The Beatles
