You know, I’ve always got time to spare for the appreciation of a good instrumental. Can’t remember the last time I covered one of those on here. Maybe one of you guys could look back and tell me. When you think of The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, your first spout of knowledge may go to ‘God Only Knows’. Considered to be one of the greatest songs of all time, that one. Maybe ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’. I’ve been hearing that in a lot of adverts lately. The instrumental title track, though? Not so much. But I honestly really enjoy this one, maybe even more than some other songs on there where the vocals are present.

‘Pet Sounds’ is the second of the two instrumental tracks on the album. ‘Let’s Go Away for Awhile’ may be in the hearts of listeners. But to me, ‘Pet Sounds’ wins the battle between them. It puts me in such a relaxed mood. Carried by a steady percussive backing of bongos, a guiro and oddly enough Coca-Cola cans with sticks, the track evokes bright sunny skies on a beach where the colours are vibrant, the people are looking their finest and the drinks are flowing. Either a beach or something like a cruise ship. You can pick whichever one you feel suits better, but the general feel always remains the same. Oh, and a huge note should go to the guitar which takes the lead, playing the song’s main melodic hook. Gotta love it on that first when it jumps an octave higher to repeat the line 52 seconds in.

Originally title ‘Run James Run’, Brian Wilson wrote the music with the intention to use it in a James Bond film. Don’t know about you, but that’s a bit humorous to me. Couldn’t think of any moment in that type of movie where this piece would work. Maybe at a point where Bond has retired, but that was never gonna be the case in 1966. It’s all too major-key in its approach. I appreciate it all the while. It’s something like the last ray of sunshine before it fades out and gives way to the album’s heartwrenching closer.