When people think of Brian Wilson, they think of harmonies, California sun, and studio genius. But beyond his work with The Beach Boys, Wilson has quietly appeared on dozens of records across six decades. From surf singles to orchestral pop, country duets to indie collaborations, these 50 guest spots show just how far his voice and songwriting traveled.
Below are 50 notable guest appearances, listed by song, primary artist, year, and release.
- “Barbie” – Kenny & The Cadets (1962, single)
- “What Is a Young Girl Made Of?” – Kenny & The Cadets (1962, single)
- “Surfin’ Down the Swannee River” – The Honeys (1963, b-side single)
- “Surf City” – Jan and Dean (1963, single)
- “Drag City” – Jan and Dean (1963, single)
- “The One You Can’t Have” – The Honeys (1963, single)
- “Little Deuce Coupe” – Jan and Dean (1964, Drag City)
- “Dead Man’s Curve” – Jan and Dean (1964, Drag City)
- “Pamela Jean” – The Survivors (1964, single)
- “She Rides with Me” – Paul Peterson (1964, single)
- “He’s a Doll” – The Honeys (1964, single)
- “Rockin’ Little Roadster” – Jan and Dean (1964, Dead Man’s Curve/The New Girl in School)
- “Ride the Wild Surf” – Jan and Dean (1964, single)
- “My Buddy Seat” – The Hondells (1964, single)
- “Guess I’m Dumb” – Glen Campbell (1965, single)
- “Gonna Hustle You” – Jan and Dean (1966, Filet Of Soul – A “Live” One)
- “Other Four Letter Word” – solo appearance (1968, Rock And Other Four Letter Words)
- “Goodnight My Love” – The Honeys (1969, b-side single)
- “All Life Is One” – Charles Lloyd (1971, Warm Waters)
- “Vegetables” – Laughing Gravey (1972, single)
- “Good Time” – American Spring (1972, Spring)
- “Tennessee Waltz” – American Spring (1972, Spring)
- “Forever” – American Spring (1972, Spring)
- “Don’t You Just Know It” – Jan Berry (1973, single)
- “Help Me, Rhonda” – Johnny Rivers (1975, single)
- “Boat to Sail” – Jackie DeShannon (1975, New Arrangement)
- “She Did It” – Eric Carmen (1977, Boats Against The Current)
- “Hey Deanie” – Eric Carmen (1978, Change Of Heart)
- “Surfin’ Pirates” – Pink Lady with Carl Wilson and Mike Love (1979, Surfin’ Pirates)
- “Be My Baby” – Mike Love (1981, Looking Back with Love)
- “Metal Beach” – Paul Shaffer (1989, Coast to Coast)
- “We Love You” – Ryuichi Sakamoto (1989, Beauty)
- “Adios” – Linda Ronstadt (1989, Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind)
- “In a Heartbeat” – Ringo Starr (1992, Time Takes Time)
- “California” – Belinda Carlisle (1996, A Woman & a Man)
- “Without Understanding” – Ringo Starr (1998, Vertical Man)
- “Hand on My Shoulder” – Anton Fig and Blondie Chaplin (2002, Figments)
- “California Girls” – Nancy Sinatra (2002, California Girls)
- “Nature Is the Law” – Richard Ashcroft (2002, Human Conditions)
- “Fooling Yourself (Palm of Your Hands)” – Styx (2003, Cyclorama)
- “In My Room” – Wilson Phillips (2004, California)
- “Delirious Love” – Neil Diamond (2005, 12 Songs, special edition)
- “You Are So Beautiful” – Carnie Wilson (2006, A Mother’s Gift: Lullabies from the Heart)
- “In My Room” – Bill Medley (2007, Damn Near Righteous)
- “When Love Is Dying” – Elton John and Leon Russell (2010, The Union)
- “Don’t Fight the Sea” – Al Jardine (2010, A Postcard from California)
- “Boomerang” – The Paley Brothers (2013, The Complete Recordings)
- “Dirty Computer” – Janelle Monáe (2018, Dirty Computer)
- “Resentment” – Kesha with Sturgill Simpson and Wrabel (2020, High Road)
- “Do It Again” – She & Him (2022, Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson)