Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys were presented plaques for Pet Sounds’ new double platinum status by UMe Chairman Bruce Resnikoff ahead of the legendary album’s 60th anniversary at the historic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood, CA on May 11, 2026. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for UMe)

15.05.26: When The Beach Boys‘ masterpiece Pet Sounds was released in 1966, it was only a modest commercial success in the U.S. compared to the group’s earlier albums. In the decades since, however, its reputation and popularity have steadily grown, with the album now widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, recently surpassing 2 billion streams in the U.S. alone and ranking as the sixth most streamed rock album of the 1960s, according to Luminate.

Ahead of the album’s 60th anniversary this Saturday, May 16, Pet Sounds has been certified double platinum by the RIAA, a testament to its enduring popularity and timeless appeal. Additionally, the album’s classic singles “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is now 4x platinum, “God Only Knows” is 2x platinum and “Sloop John B” is platinum. 

The extraordinary milestone was celebrated this week at a special, intimate ceremony at the historic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood, Calif. as founding members Mike Love and Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston and the families of Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, were presented with plaques by UMe Chairman Bruce Resnikoff commemorating Pet Sounds‘ new multi-platinum status. In honour of the anniversary, Capitol, who signed The Beach Boys as teenagers in 1962, and UMe, the global catalog division of Universal Music Group, are flying a special Pet Sounds flag on the Capitol Records tower all week long. Check out drone photos & video footage (cleared for broadcast) here: https://umusic.ent.box.com/s/pjk18ye357jtqphcj5s7jsbr9ljwk8pa
Photos from the event are available here: https://dam.gettyimages.com/selects/beach-boys-celebrate-60th-anniversary-pet-sounds

Out today, The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights compiles standout material from the 1997 Grammy-nominated 4CD box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, which documented the legendary 1965–66 recording sessions. The new collection features 25 alternate takes, a cappellas, and tracking sessions, all making their vinyl debut. Available as a 2CD set and across multiple 2LP configurations—including standard black vinyl and limited-edition splatter/color variants—each format includes new liner notes by longtime Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson, along with a detailed sessionography. A collectible Zoetrope vinyl edition with textured front cover is available. And the full 90-track box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, is also now available to stream once again.  

Purchase or stream Pet Sounds 60th anniversary releases: https://beachboys.lnk.to/PetSounds60PR

Universal Music Group‘s UMusic Shops in NYC and London will play host this weekend to a Pet Sounds pop-up shop where fans will be able to buy the new releases along with exclusive merch, including limited edition t-shirts and hats. The first 50 fans will receive a free poster with their purchase. For more information: NYC and London.

The Beach Boys have partnered with the San Diego Zoo, where their iconic Pet Sounds cover was famously photographed in 1966, for a special listening experience that pairs the full album with footage of the zoo’s animal residents. Check it out on the zoo’s YouTube channel here: https://TheBeachBoys.lnk.to/petsoundsSDZooPR

Breaking away from the surf rock that made them global stars, The Beach Boys’ 11th album in just four years marked a dramatic creative shift. Influenced by The Beatles’ Rubber Soul and Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production, Brian Wilson set out to create what he called “a complete statement.” The result was a groundbreaking work that expanded the possibilities of recorded music through its innovative use of the studio, complex arrangements, and unconventional instrumentation, including theremin and found percussion.

Across its 13 tracks, Pet Sounds introduced a new level of emotional depth and musical sophistication, with intricate harmonies from Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, and Bruce. The album’s influence extended immediately, inspiring The Beatles and producer George Martin during the creation of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and continues to shape artists and producers today.

While not widely appreciated upon release, six decades later Pet Sounds remains a defining work of modern music. It has consistently ranked at or near the top of critics’ and fans’ polls worldwide, including No. 1 on MOJO’s “Greatest Albums of All Time” list in 1995 and No. 2 on Rolling Stone‘s 2020 “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” As Rolling Stone wrote, “With its vivid orchestration, lyrical ambition, elegant pacing, and thematic coherence, Pet Sounds invented—and in several senses perfected—the notion that an album could be more than the sum of its parts.”

PET SOUNDS TRACKLIST

Side 1

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
  2. You Still Believe In Me
  3. That’s Not Me
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
  5. I’m Waiting For The Day
  6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
  7. Sloop John B

Side 2

  1. God Only Knows
  2. I Know There’s An Answer
  3. Here Today
  4. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
  5. Pet Sounds
  6. Caroline, No

THE PET SOUNDS SESSIONS HIGHLIGHTS TRACKLIST

VINYL

Side One

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Vocals Only)
  2. You Still Believe In Me (Vocals Only)
  3. I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)
  4. Sloop John B. (Vocals Only)
  5. God Only Knows (Vocals Only)
  6. Here Today (Vocals Only)
  7. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Vocals Only)

 Side Two

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Track and Backing Vocals)
  2. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian Wilson’s Instrumental Demo)
  3. I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings Lead)
  4. Sloop John B. (Carl Sings First Verse)
  5. God Only Knows (Sax Solo, Alternate Version)
  6. Hang On To Your Ego (Alternate Mix)
  7. Here Today (Alternate Version)

Side Three

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  2. Trombone Dixie (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  3. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Vocal Snippet)
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Vocals Only)
  5. That’s Not Me (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  6. Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)

 Side Four

  1. I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)*
  2. Caroline, No (Stereo Mix, Original Speed)
  3. God Only Knows (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  4. Good Vibrations (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  5. Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Track)

*Track is included on both LP1 and LP2

CD

Disc One

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Vocals Only)
  2. You Still Believe In Me (Vocals Only)
  3. I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)
  4. Sloop John B. (Vocals Only)
  5. God Only Knows (Vocals Only)
  6. Here Today (Vocals Only)
  7. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Vocals Only)
  8. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Track and Backing Vocals)
  9. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian Wilson’s Instrumental Demo)
  10. I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings Lead)
  11. Sloop John B. (Carl Sings First Verse)
  12. God Only Knows (Sax Solo, Alternate Version)
  13. Hang On To Your Ego (Alternate Mix)
  14. Here Today (Alternate Version)

Disc Two

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  2. Trombone Dixie (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  3. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Vocal Snippet)
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Vocals Only)
  5. That’s Not Me (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  6. Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)
  7. I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)*
  8. Caroline, No (Stereo Mix, Original Speed)
  9. God Only Knows (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  10. Good Vibrations (Highlights from Tracking Date)
  11. Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Track)

*Track is included on both Disc 1 and Disc 2

THE PET SOUNDS SESSIONS BOX SET DIGITAL TRACKLIST

Disc 1 – Stereo Mix + Sessions

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
  2. You Still Believe In Me
  3. That’s Not Me
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder
  5. I’m Waiting For The Day
  6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile
  7. Sloop John B
  8. God Only Knows
  9. I Know There’s An Answer
  10. Here Today
  11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
  12. Pet Sounds
  13. Caroline, No
  14. Sloop John B (Highlights From Tracking Date)
  15. Sloop John B (Stereo Backing Track)
  16. Trombone Dixie (Highlights From Tracking Date)
  17. Trombone Dixie (Stereo Backing Track)
  18. Pet Sounds (Highlights From Tracking Date)
  19. Pet Sounds (Stereo Track Without Guitar Overdub)
  20. Let’s Go Away For Awhile (Highlights From Tracking Date)                
  21. Let’s Go Away For Awhile (Stereo Track Without String Overdub)
  22. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Highlights From Tracking Date)             
  23. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Backing Track)
  24. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Stereo Track With Background Vocals)            
  25. You Still Believe In Me (Intro-Session)            
  26. You Still Believe In Me (Intro-Master Take)  
  27. You Still Believe In Me (Highlights From Tracking Date)      
  28. You Still Believe In Me (Stereo Backing Track)           

Disc 2 – Sessions Pt. 2

  1. Caroline, No (Highlights From Tracking Date)            
  2. Caroline, No (Stereo Backing Track)                 
  3. Hang On To Your Ego (Highlights From Tracking Date)         
  4. Hang On To Your Ego (Stereo Backing Track)              
  5. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian’s Instrumental Demo)
  6. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Stereo Backing Track)            
  7. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (String Overdub)
  8. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Highlights From Tracking Date)                
  9. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Stereo Backing Track)    
  10. That’s Not Me (Highlights From Tracking Date)
  11. That’s Not Me (Stereo Backing Track)     
  12. Good Vibrations (Highlights From Tracking Date)           
  13. Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Track)
  14. I’m Waiting For The Day (Highlights From Tracking Date)           
  15. I’m Waiting For The Day (Stereo Backing Track)                
  16. God Only Knows (Highlights From Tracking Date)          
  17. God Only Knows (Stereo Backing Track)                
  18. Here Today (Highlights From Tracking Date)      
  19. Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)           

 Disc 3 – Stack-O-Vocals

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice             
  2. You Still Believe In Me       
  3. That’s Not Me          
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)        
  5. I’m Waiting For The Day  
  6. Sloop John B           
  7. God Only Knows  
  8. I Know There’s An Answer               
  9. Here Today                
  10. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
  11. Caroline, No            

Disc 3 Continued – Alternate Versions  

  1. Caroline, No (Promotional Spot #1)         
  2. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Mix 3/3/66)
  3. You Still Believe In Me (Mix 2/16/66)        
  4. Don’t Talk … (Vocal Snippet)        
  5. I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings Lead) (Mix 3/12/66)            
  6. Sloop John B (Carl Sings First Verse)       
  7. God Only Knows (Sax Solo) (Mix 3/12/66)            
  8. Hang On To Your Ego (Alternate Version)               
  9. Here Today (Alternate Version)
  10. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Alternate Version) 
  11. Banana & Louie    
  12. Caroline, No (Original Speed, Stereo Mix)           
  13. Dog Barking Session (Outtakes) (Mix 3/22/66) 
  14. Caroline, No (Promotional Spot #2)         
  15. God Only Knows (With A Capella Tag) (Mix 3/12/66)    
  16. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Alternate Version)
  17. Sloop John B (Brian Sings Lead Throughout)     
  18. God Only Knows (Brian Sings Lead) (Mix 3/22/66)
  19. Caroline, No (Original Speed, Mono Mix)              

Disc 4 – The Original Mono Mix, Re-mastered In 1996

  1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice             
  2. You Still Believe In Me       
  3. That’s Not Me
  4. Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
  5. I’m Waiting For The Day  
  6. Let’s Go Away For Awhile                
  7. Sloop John B
  8. God Only Knows  
  9. I Know There’s An Answer               
  10. Here Today                
  11. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times        
  12. Pet Sounds               
  13. Caroline, No            

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