Which Pet Sounds song was first issued as a Brian Wilson solo single?

“Caroline, No” was the Pet Sounds song first issued as a Brian Wilson solo single.

Wilson recorded the song with lyricist Tony Asher at Western Studio in Hollywood on January 31, 1966. Capitol Records released it on March 7 as Wilson’s first solo record, backed by the instrumental “Summer Means New Love.” The track was later included as the closing song on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, released two months afterward.

The solo credit reflected the song’s unusually personal, studio-focused character. Unlike most Pet Sounds tracks, it did not feature backing vocals from the other Beach Boys. Wilson produced the recording himself, using jazz-influenced chords, bass flutes, harpsichord, guitars and unusual percussion, including an empty water cooler jug.

A common mix-up is assuming the song was originally released only as a Beach Boys recording because it appears on Pet Sounds. Its single peaked at No. 32 in the United States, while the album version adds barking dogs and a passing train to the ending.