Please Let Me Wonder

Album: Today! (1965)
Charted: 52
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In his 2011 interview with Goldmine, Brian Wilson said of this song: "I wrote that at my apartment in West Hollywood. As soon as I finished I felt I had to record it so I called up my engineer, Chuck Britz, and woke him up. 'Please Let Me Wonder' was recorded at 3:30 in the morning. I drove to the studio in the middle of the night and recorded it. That song was done as tribute to Phil Spector's music. It definitely a good straight ahead feel to it. I knew I loved that song from the moment it was finished and I've always loved it."

Comments: 5

  • Richard H from Wylie, TexasI could listen to this song over and over. Just love it!
  • Richard from East HanoverOne of the most beautiful songs ever made.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaTHANK YOU BRIAN. one of my top five favs. The line about "this beautiful image I have of you is one I understand and a lot of others do as well.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 21st 1965, the Beach Boys performed "Please Let Me Wonder" on the ABC-TV program 'Shindig!'...
    Two months earlier on February 28th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at #83; eventually it peaked at #52 (for 1 week) and spent 5 weeks on the Top 100...
    The record's A-side, "Do You Want To Dance?", reached #12 on the Top 100 and stayed on the chart for 8 weeks...
    "Do You Want To Dance?" has charted five other times; Bobby Freeman (the original, #5 in 1958), Del Shannon (#43 in 1964), the Mamas & Papas (#76 in 1968), Bette Midler (#17 in 1973), and the Ramones (#86 in 1978)...
    Sadly, eight of the above artists have passed away; Dennis & Carl Wilson, Mr. Shannon, Cass-John-Denny of the Mamas & Papas, and Joey & Johnny Ramone (and also Jimmy O'Neill; Shindig's host, 1940 - 2013)...
    May they all R.I.P.
  • George from Belleville, NjWhat a beautiful melody.This song has a smooth sound and an uplifting spirit.The recording sounds very polished.I think it is one of Brian Wilson's better songs.It has that signature Beach Boy style with the harmony that they were famous for.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Rufus Wainwright

Rufus WainwrightSongwriter Interviews

Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.