The Beach Boys’ Masterpiece Pet Sounds Turns 60

Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds redefined what an album could be upon its release on May 16, 1966, forever altering the course of popular music. Sixty years on, it remains as vital and influential as ever.

In honor of its 60 ^th anniversary, Pet Sounds will be celebrated with a series of releases on May 15 via Capitol/UMe, including two distinct premium all-analog audiophile pressings. These include a 2LP Vinylphyle Edition featuring the original album in both mono and stereo, and a high-end Definitive Sound Series Audiophile Edition presented in mono using the One Step process. A collectible Zoetrope vinyl edition with textured front cover will also be available.

Providing deeper insight into the making of the album, 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. Currently unavailable for download and streaming, the full 90-track box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, will be delivered to DSPs upon release.

Ahead of the release, The Beach Boys have released a three-track digital EP exploring their classic hit, “Sloop John B,” through a stunning a cappella version that isolates the vocal harmonies of Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston, along with a fascinating alternative take featuring Carl in place of Brian on lead. The EP is capped off with the stereo mix.

Listen to “Sloop John B” EP HERE
Pre-order Pet Sounds 60th anniversary releases HERE

On the day of the 60 ^th anniversary, Saturday, May 16, fans and fitness enthusiasts are invited to Santa Monica for the first-ever Beach Boys 5K & Wellness Day. The event will take place at the Third Street Promenade and feature live music, fitness experiences, and a community 5K run celebrating the legacy of Pet Sounds. For more information, visit: https://thebeachboys5k.com/

The new audiophile pressings present Pet Sounds with the highest standards in sound and packaging, ranging from high-end to ultra high-end editions. The Vinylphyle Edition is pressed at RTI on 180-gram black vinyl and cut from the original mono and stereo analog tapes by Joe Nino-Hernes at Sterling Sound. The stereo mix, originally overseen by Brian Wilson and produced and engineered by Mark Linett in 1996 for The Pet Sounds Sessions box set, is included alongside the original mono album cut from the original 1966 assembled master reel. The release will have an initial pressing of 3,000 copies. The double LP features a beautiful gatefold tip-on jacket and 4-panel insert with new liner notes by Howie Edelson. Each Vinylphyle album release is mastered in all-analog from original sources when available by leading vinyl cutting engineers and pressed at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI) California. The series emphasizes consistent quality control across mastering, plating, pressing, and printing.

In addition, Interscope-Capitol’s Definitive Sound Series (DSS) edition presents Pet Sounds in its original mono configuration using the state-of-the-art One Step process, which eliminates multiple steps in the plating process and delivers the recording’s intricate arrangements and vocal harmonies with remarkable clarity. Pressed at RTI on Neotech VR900 D2 180-gram vinyl, the AAA [All Analog Mastering] was cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering from rarely used circa-1972 original analog tapes. Limited to 6,000 individually numbered copies, the release draws from the early-1970s Brother Records pressing, long noted for its sound quality. Each copy includes a certificate of authenticity documenting the mastering, plating, and pressing process.

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 12. Caroline, No (Promotional Spot #1)
13. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Mix 3/3/66)
14. You Still Believe In Me (Mix 2/16/66)
15. Don’t Talk … (Vocal Snippet)
16. I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings Lead) (Mix 3/12/66)
17. Sloop John B (Carl Sings First Verse)
18. God Only Knows (Sax Solo) (Mix 3/12/66)
19. Hang On To Your Ego (Alternate Version)
20. Here Today (Alternate Version)
21. I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times (Alternate Version)
22. Banana & Louie 23. Caroline, No (Original Speed, Stereo Mix)
24. Dog Barking Session (Outtakes) (Mix 3/22/66)
25. Caroline, No (Promotional Spot #2)
26. God Only Knows (With A Capella Tag) (Mix 3/12/66)
27. Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Alternate Version)
28. Sloop John B (Brian Sings Lead Throughout)
29. God Only Knows (Brian Sings Lead) (Mix 3/22/66)
30. 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