Who co-wrote "God Only Knows" with Brian Wilson?

Tony Asher co-wrote “God Only Knows” with Brian Wilson. Their collaboration produced one of the defining songs on the Beach Boys’ 1966 album Pet Sounds, with Wilson composing and arranging the music and Asher primarily contributing the lyrics and conceptual direction.

Asher was an advertising copywriter and songwriter whom Wilson contacted in late 1965 while developing material for Pet Sounds. The pair worked together intensively for roughly three weeks and created eight songs for the album, including “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Caroline, No,” and “God Only Knows.” Their partnership helped Wilson move beyond the group’s earlier surf, cars, and teenage-romance themes.

The song is especially notable for its unusual harmonic design, layered vocals, and orchestration featuring instruments such as French horn, strings, harpsichord, and accordion. Carl Wilson sang the lead vocal, with Brian and Carl contributing to the intricate vocal blend. Listeners sometimes attribute the song solely to Brian because of his production and musical leadership, but the official songwriting credit is shared by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher.