It's tough to put into words the love I have for the many songs of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.

So rather than using words, I'll just say that I've never Googled him. Ever. I was so terrified of him turning out to be a raging asshole or homophobe or racist or something awful, that I never risked it. I couldn't fathom his music being tainted to me, and losing it would be too much of a risk to take.

He wrote a ridiculous number of tracks, and a great many of them mean a lot to me. Including my favorite of them all, Don't Worry Baby...

It's beautifully constructed, deliciously intricate as it builds to a finale, and every word of the lyrics hit in the best way... telling the story of a guy who agrees to a drag race, but instantly regrets it and confides his fears in his girlfriend who tells him "Don't worry baby. Everything will turn out alright." And it's just so... flawless.

It's made even more interesting when you consider that the entire song was written as a response to Be My Baby by the Ronettes...

But that's not the end of it!

Originally, Brian wrote the song for the Ronettes. But Phil Spector wouldn't ever entertain the idea of them recording a song he didn't write, so it didn't happen. Except eventually it did...

Gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful.

And apparently Brian Wilson was not aware that Ronnie had recorded it, because THIS happened...

Then later on in life...

Ronnie Spector. Another legend I miss dearly. I know that Ronnie and Brian performed together at least once. Probably more. A vocal match made in heaven.

Of course the number of Brian Wilson & Beach Boys covers are legion (She & Him, AKA Zooey Deschanel's band, did an entire album tribute to him). Which you'd expect give how incredible the catalog of songs are. Who wouldn't want to cover one of his songs? Just look at this megaton of talent on God Only Knows...

And so... yeah. Brian Wilson will be truly missed. But the sheer volume of music he left to an undeserving world means he's never really gone. Rest in Peace, sir.