The Beatles Pain: John Lennon Said Their Rival's Song Was the Greatest He Ever Heard

The Beatles John Lennon proclaimed that their rival's song was the greatest track he had ever heard.

The Fab Four - although they cut their popularity short - successfully released hit songs that still earn attention nowadays. Among their tracks that became timeless include "Let It Be," "Hey Jude," "Don't Let Me Down," "Get Back," "Yesterday," and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," to name a few.

Despite having that list of songs, Lennon fell in love with a rival's song again, and he ended up listening to it repeatedly.

In 1965, the late musician listened to one of The Beach Boys' songs during one of his interviews. As soon as he heard "The Little Girl I Once Knew," he told the interviewer to turn the volume up since it was the greatest hit he had ever heard.

"This is the greatest! Turn it up, turn it right up! It's got to be a hit. It's the greatest record I've heard for weeks. It's fantastic. I hope it will be a hit," he said, as quoted by Express UK. "It's all Brian Wilson. He just uses the voices as instruments."

Lennon added that the song has great arrangement before praising its singer and songwriter. For what it's worth, Wilson had been known for writing and composing songs for The Beach Boys.

According to The Beatles crooner, Wilson never toured and spent most of his time making arrangements at home.

Another The Beatles Fell in Love With The Beach Boys

Aside from Lennon, Paul McCartney also once spoke candidly about The Beach Boys' musical techniques that stimulated The Beatles.

He particularly praised the band's vocal harmonies in the iconic track, "Paperback Writer."

"Before that, we had been influenced by artists like Smokey Robinson and The Miracles or Phil Spector. But at this point, it was The Beach Boys." "Paperback Writer is a nod to them," he added. "And to the idea that everyone wants to write a novel," he said.

Wilson, meanwhile, initially said that "The Little Girl I Once Knew" became one of his favorites, as well. But in 1995, he changed his mind and spoke about how unimpressed he was with the song.

He pointed out that the track's intro was the only good part of it. The rest, for him, sounded sour and off-key.

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The Beatles