The BBC have corralled an all-star cast for a cover of the Beach Boys classic God Only Knows to celebrate the launch of the all-new BBC Music season. Among the artists featured in the eye-catching clip are Dave Grohl, Pharrell Williams, Elton John, Lorde, Brian May, Chris Martin, and Kylie Minogue.
The list doesn’t stop there. The BBC went all out on the clip, which readers can check out below, drafting appearances from Florence Welch, Jake Bugg, Beach Boy Brian Wilson, who originally penned the famous tune, members of One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith, and Chrissie Hynde.
The cover comes 17 years after the broadcasting giant first unveiled a similarly star-studded lineup to perform a rendition of Lou Reed’s Perfect Day. Originally unveiled as an advertisement, the cover became so popular it was released as a single, reaching No. 1 in the UK and raising over £2m for Children in Need.
As The Guardian reports, the God Only Knows cover will likewise be available to purchase later today, with proceeds going to Children in Need. The track was originally broadcast simultaneously across all of the BBC’s television, radio, and online networks to celebrate their new, music-focused initiative, which will involve “a wave of new programmes, innovative partnerships and ground-breaking music initiatives”.
According to NME, Wilson himself was pleased with the result, saying, “I just feel so incredibly humbled that the BBC would choose God Only Knows to promote their new music initiative. All of the artists did such a beautiful job I can’t thank them enough. I’m just honoured that God Only Knows was chosen.”
