There have been loads of tributes for Brian Wilson after his death last week at age 82. Many of these have come from his contemporaries, of course, and some have come from bands he never met. The cynical part of me wants to say some have come from artists just trying to be noticed because of an attachment to the Beach Boys founder.
The best tribute to Wilson might have come from an unlikely source, though. Howard Jones is known more as an 1980s semi-icon for his hits "No One is to Blame" and "Things Can Only Get Better." The truth is, though, that he is an excellent keyboardist who can crank out solid songs.
Many might have thought his career ended in the '80s, but far from it. In the 21st century, he has recorded music that is far from the pop world, but is just as worthy to listen to. His piano-driven albums are sometimes stark and bleak, but wonderful all the same.
1980s icon Howard Jones pays homage to Brian Wilson of the Beastie Boys
But perhaps not as wonderful as what he did with the Beach Boys' song "God Only Knows." The song might be the most perfect pop song ever created. It's beautiful, sure, and lots of people in love might find a way to identify with the tune, but it also intentionally breaks the melody in a very Wagner way.
Wilson was a great songwriter and producer, and he was talented enough to be successful whether it was the 1960s or 1760s. If he had only written classical music, he would have been great. He was a genius.
Jones pays tribute to that. A simple video with Jones at his piano and singing the song. Seems like anyone could do that, right? Wrong. Jones is a master pianist, but he also sounds like a Beach Boys member. Maybe he could have been 60 years ago.
Jones even does the "ahs" with emotive power and hits the high notes. Brilliant. Brian Wilson would almost certainly be a fan. The video sounds probably like the first time Wilson fleshed out the song.