# In 1966, Brian Wilson wrote a 1950s inspired album track. Now, Linda Ronstadt calls it the “most beautiful” melody in pop

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1966-brian-wilson-wrote-a-1950s-inspired-album-track-now-linda-ronstadt-calls-it-the-most-beautiful-melody-in-pop/
- Published: 2026-10-23T17:19:07+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:41:31+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1966-brian-wilson-wrote-a-1950s-inspired-album-track-now-linda-ronstadt-calls-it-the-most-beautiful-melody-in-pop/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Linda Ronstadt praised the song’s melody.
- “Don’t Talk” appeared on *Pet Sounds* in 1966.
- Brian Wilson and Tony Asher drew on 1950s pop.

## Summary

Linda Ronstadt has singled out the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)” as one of the finest melodies in pop. Her praise highlights Brian Wilson’s songwriting: the 1966 song turns a theme of silence and intimacy into a complex, emotionally charged piece.

The track appeared on *Pet Sounds* and was co-written by Wilson and Tony Asher, drawing inspiration from Paul Anka’s 1959 song “Put Your Head On My Shoulder”. Ronstadt praised its melodic arc, while Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks has said he spent more time studying it than any other song.

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