The Beatles Song That Moved Brian Wilson to Tears and His Favorite Beach Boys Track

Brian Wilson will always be remembered for creating some of the most unique sounds in modern music. He didn’t follow trends—he set them. Whether writing, arranging harmonies, or shaping albums in the studio, Wilson approached music in his own way. On June 11, the world lost one of its most influential music minds, just days before his 83rd birthday.

As fans reflect on his life, one way to remember him is by revisiting what shaped his music and what touched him personally. From his favorite Beach Boys song to the Beatles track that made him cry, his story is filled with emotional and creative moments.

Brian Wilson’s Favorite Beach Boys Song

As the creative force behind The Beach Boys, Wilson gave the group its signature sound. While he helped write many of their biggest songs, the one he spoke most fondly of was Darlin’. It was co-written with his cousin Mike Love and released on the 1967 album Wild Honey.

In a 2015 interview with American Songwriter, Wilson was asked to name his favorite song that he had written. His answer was simple: “I like a song called ‘Darlin’.’ I just like the melody.” That song reflected his love for soul music and featured powerful vocals and horn arrangements, giving it a different style from their usual surf-rock sound.

Since its release, Darlin’ has been covered by several other artists, including David Cassidy and Paul Davis. Interestingly, the early French band that later became Daft Punk also named themselves Darlin’ as a tribute.

The Story Behind Do It Again

Another song that Wilson helped write quickly was Do It Again. According to Mike Love, it came together in just 15 minutes. After a day at the beach, Love told Wilson they should write a song about surfing again. Wilson immediately sat down at the piano, and the song began to take shape.

“We got a chorus together, which was basically a bunch of doo-wop inspired harmonies,” Love told The Guardian. “We created that whole song in 15 minutes.” The song was a deliberate return to their early surf-rock roots and became one of their last big hits of the 1960s.

Do It Again may not be Wilson’s favorite, but its quick creation and strong connection to the band’s early image made it memorable. It showed how easily Wilson could shift styles while still keeping the group’s identity.

The Beatles Song That Left Wilson in Tears

While The Beach Boys and The Beatles were seen as rivals, both bands respected each other. They were also quietly pushing each other to try new ideas. Wilson was especially inspired by what The Beatles were doing in the mid-1960s, and it showed in his own work on Pet Sounds.

That friendly competition turned emotional when Wilson first heard Strawberry Fields Forever, a 1967 song written by John Lennon. It was a psychedelic track with layered sounds, dreamlike vocals, and experimental studio effects. For Wilson, it hit hard.

As reported by Medium, Wilson was so struck by the song that he had to pull over his car. He cried as he listened and later explained the reason. “They got there first,” he said, referring to The Beatles reaching a creative milestone before he could finish his own planned experimental album, Smile.

Remembering a Music Legend

Brian Wilson passed away on June 11, 2025, just nine days before his 83rd birthday. His family has not released details about the cause of death. However, Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine told Rolling Stone that Wilson had been dealing with the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Though his passing leaves a space in the music world, his work and influence continue to inspire. Whether through a Beach Boys classic like Darlin’ or the moment he was moved to tears by Strawberry Fields Forever, Wilson’s deep emotional connection to music shaped everything he did.