[Shaun]

BBC Music has released an all-star cover of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows", as The Guardian reports.

It features the following artists: the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell, Lorde, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Sam Smith, Dave Grohl, Kylie Minogue, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Queen's Brian May, Elton John, One Direction, Jake Bugg, Emeli Sandé, Paloma Faith, Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Danielle de Niese, Nicola Benedetti, Eliza Carthy, Baaba Maal, Jamie Cullum, and Jaz Dhami. BBC personalities Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne, Katie Derham, Gareth Malone and Jools Holland also participate. They were joined by the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra. (Whew!)

Below, watch the surreal video for the song, featuring all of the stars.

The cover was commissioned to celebrate the launch of BBC Music, which is described by the BBC as "an ambitious wave of new programmes, innovative partnerships and ground-breaking music initiatives that amount to the BBC’s strongest commitment to music in 30 years," according to The Guardian. It will be released as a charity single to benefit the BBC’s Children in Need program.

Wilson released a statement about the cover, The Guardian reports. "All of the artists did such a beautiful job I can’t thank them enough," he said. "I’m just honoured that 'God Only Knows' was chosen. 'God Only Knows' is a very special song. An extremely spiritual song and one of the best I’ve ever written."

Back in 1997, the BBC released did a similar thing, releasing an all-star cover of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day".

Youtube video

was wondering what the countdown adverts were for... this is a pretty massive lineup of stars

[Black Dagger]

Nice to know Florence is still alive and about to have another #1 even if it is part of a charity single

[Shaun]

i can add another #1 to ben's list of #1 hit threadmakers

[rubymoo]

Love this

Brian May bit

It makes me so happy

[joeysteele]

I love this song but not sure if I like the format for it in this video, some voices just don't suit it.
That said, well done to whoever decided to do this.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Shaun

i can add another #1 to ben's list of #1 hit threadmakers

smh

maybe not

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i love this

they always play it before just before BBC3 goes off air for the night

[Shaun]

cathy's bit on the carousel horse slays me (idk who she was before this but still)

and stevie bless him <3

[Black Dagger]

I was just pleased Florence let us know she was still alive. I'll hunt her down if she doesn't release album #3 next year.

[Ninastar]

i love this so much