Brian Wilson Reveals His Favorite Track From ‘Sgt. Pepper’

In the 60s, rival bands rose to the interest of the public, and among those on the list were the UK counterpart The Beatles, and the US counterpart Beach Boys. But these so-called “rivalries” served a good purpose and gave each band some inspiration to aspiring greater heights of music innovation.

In an interview with The Daily Beast in 2015, Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson addressed rumors of a rivalry between his band and The Beatles, which to his point of view, wasn’t that much of a big deal.

“It wasn’t really a rivalry, though,” he said. “I was jealous! It was really just mutual inspiration, I think. I would get to hear their records before they came out and I was totally blown away by Rubber Soul.”

Regarding the Fab Four’s greatest album of all time, Wilson said: “Sgt. Peppers? I was totally blown away by that. But it was inspirational, too.” He adores the record, more particularly the song, “She’s Leaving Home.” He even considers it his favorite.

The Lennon-McCartney-penned “She’s Leaving Home” is on The Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul McCartney wrote and performed the verse, while John Lennon composed the chorus. McCartney was moved by a story about a girl named Melanie Coe that appeared on the front page of the Daily Mirror. Coe, who was only 17 when the song was released, has maintained that it is largely factual even though the lyrics were written fictionally by the songwriter.

Listen to Wilson’s favorite Beatles song below.