# The “genius“ 1960s album that peaked at 10 in the US. But John Lennon and Paul McCartney both agreed was “greatest album ever made”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-genius-1960s-album-that-peaked-at-10-in-the-us-but-john-lennon-and-paul-mccartney-both-agreed-was-greatest-album-ever-made/
- Published: 2026-11-04T16:28:53+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T07:51:42+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-1960s-record-mccartney-lennon-agreed-was-the-greatest-album-ever-made/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- *Pet Sounds* peaked at number 10 in the US.
- McCartney and Lennon both admired the album.
- George Martin said it helped inspire *Sgt Pepper*.

## Summary

The Beach Boys’ 1966 album *Pet Sounds* peaked at number 10 in the US, yet it had a profound influence on the Beatles’ music. Paul McCartney praised its arrangements and emotional power, while John Lennon reportedly called it the greatest album ever made, and producer George Martin said *Sgt Pepper* was an attempt to match it.

The article presents Brian Wilson’s work as a landmark of pop music and credits it with helping inspire the Beatles’ studio experimentation. It notes that *Pet Sounds* later sold around 29 million copies, nearly 10 million fewer than *Sgt Pepper*, and quotes Martin calling Wilson a living genius of pop music.

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