‘Animal Sounds’ at 60: The Beach Boys’ Masterpiece Gets Session Highlights – Best Classic Bands

The Beach Boys’ Pet soundsconsidered one of the greatest albums of all time, it redefined what an album could be when it was released on May 16, 1966, changing popular music forever. Sixty years later, it remains as relevant and influential as ever.

Capitol Records/UMe celebrates the album’s 60th anniversary with The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights. Providing a deeper insight into the making of the album, the compilation collects highlights from the 1997 Grammy-nominated 4-CD set, Pet Soundswhich recorded the 1965–66 shows.

The new collection, due May 15, 2026, features 25 more selections, a cappellas, and pickup sessions, all making their vinyl debut. Available as a 2-CD set and multiple 2-LP formats—including standard black vinyl and a variety of splatter/color prints—each format includes new notes by longtime Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson, as well as a detailed study. Various models are available to order in the US Here and the UK Here.

A complete box set of 90 digital-only songs, Pet Soundsit will also be released.

Ahead of the release, The Beach Boys shared a performance of their classic song, “Sloop John B,” in a stunning a cappella version featuring the vocals of Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston, as well as another interesting selection featuring Carl instead of Brian on lead.

From the surf rock that made them world stars, The Beach Boys’ 11th album in just four years marked a major creative shift. Inspired by The Beatles’ Rubber Spirit and the production of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, Brian Wilson set out to create what he called “the complete expression.” The result was a masterpiece that expanded the possibilities of recorded music with a new way of using the studio, complex arrangements, and unusual instruments—including the theremin and finding percussion.

In its 13 songs, Pet sounds introduced a new level of emotional depth and musical complexity, with intricate collaborations from Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, and Bruce. The album’s influence was immediate, influencing The Beatles and producer George Martin during the creation of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Cluband continues to shape artists and producers today.

“It was a big jump from where we were,” Jardine said Best Classic Bands in 2016, during the album’s 50th anniversary. “It was a long time since we visited on a trip [minus Brian, who’d stopped traveling with the band in 1964 to concentrate on writing and recording, [his place in the road band taken by new recruit Bruce Johnston]. There have been many changes. But it wasn’t that we didn’t want to do it.”

Love said Best Classic Bands“One thing I’ve been quoted as saying is, ‘Don’t mess with that form.’ But I never said that! It’s a very famous thing I mentioned that I didn’t mention. First of all, I named the album. Second, all of us – Carl [Wilson]Al, Bruce, myself – everyone was working hard to get along. Pet sounds it is good for many reasons. How can you not like that music?”

For Brian Wilson, the album represents a progression, the latest development in his evolution as a musician. At that time Pet sounds upon his release, he was busy working on his next masterpiece, the single “Good Vibrations”, which he had hoped to include on an album but held off on singing it for months. “I decided to try a new kind of music,” Wilson said at Best Classic Bands in 2016. “I was young and creative and we’re doing really well. I’m glad people still like the album. It makes me proud.”

When released, Pet soundsdespite spurring criticism from the rock press, it peaked at #10 on the Billboard Albums chart, less performance than their previous albums. Although it was not widely appreciated when it was released, sixty years later Pet sounds it remains the defining work of modern music.

The Beach Boys The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights 2-CD Tracklist
Disc One
Won’t It Be Fun (Vocals Only)
You Still Believe In Me (Vocals Only)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)
Sloop John B. (Vocals Only)
Only God Knows (Vocals Only)
Here Today (Vocals Only)
I Wasn’t Made For These Times (Vocals Only)
Can’t It Be Good (Stereo Band and Backing Vocals)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian Wilson Instrumental Demo)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings lead)
Sloop John B. (Carl Sings First Verse)
Only God Knows (Sax Solo, Alternate Version)
Stand Up To Your Ego (Alternate Mix)
Here Today (Alternate Version)

Disc Two
Wouldn’t It Be Great (Pickup Day Highlights)
Trombone Dixie (Highlights from Pick Up Day)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Lyrics)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Vocals Only)
That’s Not Me (Pickup Day Highlights)
Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Vocals Only)*
Caroline, Che (Stereo Mix, Original Speed)
God Only Knows (Highlights from Pickup Day)
Good Vibes (Highlights from Download Day)
Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Record)

* Track included on both Disc 1 and Disc 2

PET BOX LUMANA COURSES SET DIGITAL TRACKLIST
Disc 1 – Stereo Mix + Sessions
Wouldn’t it be fun
You Still Believe Me
That’s not me
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder
I’m Waiting for the Day
Let’s Leave for a Moment
Sloop John B
Only God Knows
I know there is an Answer
Here Today
I’m Just Not Made For These Times
Pet sounds
Caroline, No
Sloop John B (Highlights of the Day)
Sloop John B (Stereo Backing Track)
Trombone Dixie (Pickup Day Highlights)
Trombone Dixie (Stereo Backing Track)
Animal Sounds (Fetching Day Highlights)
Pet Sounds (Stereo Track Without Guitar Overdub)
Let’s go for a while (Fetching Day Highlights)
Let’s leave for a while (Stereo track without String Overdub)
Wouldn’t It Be Great (Pickup Day Highlights)
Wouldn’t it be great (Stereo backing track)
Can’t It Be Nice (Stereo tape with backing vocals)
You Don’t Believe Me (Intro-Session)
You Don’t Believe Me (Intro-Master Take)
You Don’t Believe Me (Fetching Day Highlights)
You Don’t Believe Me (Stereo Backing Track)

Disc 2 – Lessons Pt. 2
Caroline, Che (Fetching Day Highlights)
Caroline, Che (Stereo Backing Track)
Stand Up To Your Ego (Highlights from Pickup Day)
Stand Up To Your Ego (Stereo Backing Track)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (Brian’s Instrumental Demo)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) (String Overdub)
I’m Not Made For These Times (Fetching Day Highlights)
I Wasn’t Made For These Times (Stereo Backing Track)
That’s Not Me (Fetching Day Highlights)
That’s not me (Stereo backing track)
Good Vibes (Highlights from Download Day)
Good Vibrations (Stereo Backing Record)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Fetching Day Highlights)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Stereo Backing Track)
Only God Knows (Fetching Day Highlights)
Only God Knows (Stereo Backing Track)
Here Today (Fetching Day Highlights)
Here Today (Stereo Backing Track)

Disc 3 – Stack-O-Vocals
Wouldn’t it be fun
You Still Believe Me
That’s not me
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
I’m Waiting for the Day
Sloop John B
Only God Knows
I know there is an Answer
Here Today
I’m Just Not Made For These Times
Caroline, No

Disc 3 Continues – Other Versions
Caroline, No (Post #1)
Can’t It Be Nice (Mix 3/3/66)
You Don’t Believe In Me (Mix 2/16/66)
Don’t Say… (Vocal Fragment)
I’m Waiting For The Day (Mike Sings lead) (Mike 3/12/66)
Sloop John B (Carl Sings First Verse)
God Only Knows (Sax Solo) (Mix 3/12/66)
Stand Up To Your Ego (Alternate Version)
Here Today (Alternate Version)
I’m Not Made For These Times (Another Text)
Girls & Louie
Caroline, Che (Original Speed, Stereo Mix)
Dog Barking Session (Out) (Mix 3/22/66)
Caroline, No (Post #2)
Only God Knows (With A Capella Tag) (Mix 3/12/66)
Wouldn’t it be great (Another text)
Sloop John B (Brian Sings Lead It All)
Only God Knows (Brian Sings Lead) (Mix 3/22/66)
Caroline, Che (Original Speed, Mono Mix)

Disc 4 – The Original Mono Mix, restored in 1996
Wouldn’t it be fun
You Still Believe Me
That’s not me
Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
I’m Waiting for the Day
Let’s Leave for a Moment
Sloop John B
Only God Knows
I know there is an Answer
Here Today
I’m Just Not Made For These Times
Pet sounds
Caroline, No