BBC Music launched with a star-studded version of one of the best songs ever recorded by The Beach Boys: “God Only Knows.” This gorgeous new video features 27 internationally known musicians, including The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Sir Elton John, Pharrell, and One Direction. Dubbed ‘The Impossible Orchestra,’ the artists took part in the “God Only Knows” music video to support BBC’s commitment to music, with the single now available for download to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.
Bob Shennan, Director BBC Music, said, “This is an exciting moment for BBC Music as we launch to a global audience. With the 80-piece BBC Concert Orchestra at its heart and comprising an array of iconic music stars from a wide range of musical genres, this ‘impossible’ orchestra is a celebration of all the talent, diversity, and musical passion found every single day throughout the BBC.
“Being part of this campaign was so incredible,” said Sam Smith. “For me, ‘God Only Knows’ is a song that has been and will forever be part of pop history and to be singing it alongside my idols was overwhelming. Plus, I got to meet Stevie Wonder which blew my mind.”
Brian Wilson had the honor of singing the final line in the video. “I just feel so incredibly humbled that the BBC would choose God Only Knows to promote their new music initiative,” commented Wilson. “All of the artists did such a beautiful job I can’t thank them enough. I’m just honoured that ‘God Only Knows’ was chosen. ‘God Only Knows’ is a very special song. An extremely spiritual song and one of the best I’ve ever written.”
And music producer Ethan Johns had this to say about the challenge of putting together this video: “One of the things that interested me most about this project was the idea of bringing together so many different styles of music and as a great opportunity to bring the musical community together in celebration of the thing that we all love. To make so much diversity work within one piece of music was quite a challenge. I feel like I’ve taken a 1000-piece puzzle and just thrown it in the air. I’m standing there trying to grab them as they come down and put them into place.”
“God Only Knows” Artist List Line-By-Line
BBC Concert Orchestra
Martin James Bartlett – celeste
Pharrell Williams – I may not always love you
Emeli Sandé – But as long as there are stars above you
Elton John – You never need to doubt it
Lorde – I’ll make you so sure about it
Chris Martin – God only knows what I’d be without you
Brian Wilson – If you should ever leave me
Florence Welch – Well life would still go on believe me
Kylie Minogue – The world could show nothing to me
Stevie Wonder – So what good would living do me
Eliza Carthy – God only knows what I’d be without you
Nicola Benedetti – violin
Jools Holland – piano
Brian May – electric guitar
Jake Bugg – lalalala
Katie Derham – violin
Tees Valley Youth Choir – God only knows
Alison Balsom – piccolo trumpet
One Direction – God only knows what I’d be without you
Jaz Dhami – God only knows what I’d be without you
Paloma Faith – God only knows what I’d be without you
Chrissie Hynde – God only knows
Jamie Cullum – God only knows what I’d be without you
Baaba Maal – God only knows
Danielle de Niese – God only knows what I’d be without you
Dave Grohl – God only knows
Sam Smith – God only knows what I’d be without you
Brian Wilson – God only knows what I’d be without you
