TORONTO — Elton John, One Direction, Lorde and Stevie Wonder are just some of the artists appearing in a video for a new version of the Beach Boys 1966 classic “God Only Knows.”
The promotional video for BBC Music kicks off with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Musician of the Year Martin James Bartlett before Pharrell Williams appears.
What follows is a stellar line-up of performers — including original Beach Boys singer (and the song’s co-writer) Brian Wilson — from all kinds of music genres.
It has been viewed nearly 3 million times since being posted Tuesday.
The recording will be available for digital download with proceeds going to the Children in Need charity.
“God Only Knows” was featured on the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds and has been covered by artists like David Bowie, Neil Diamond and Taylor Swift.
Can you name all 27 artists featured in the video?
Here’s a who’s-who, in order of appearance:
The BBC Concert Orchestra; Martin James Bartlett, an 18-year-old pianist who won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition this year; Pharrell Williams, Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé; Elton John, Lorde; Chris Martin; Brian Wilson; Florence Welch; Kylie Minogue; Stevie Wonder; British folk musician Eliza Carthy; Scottish classical violinist Nicola Benedetti; British musician-composer Jools Holland; Queen guitarist Brian May; British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg; British TV personality Katie Derham; the Tees Valley Youth Choir; British trumpet player Alison Balsom; One Direction; Bhangra musician Jaz Dhami; singer-songwriter Paloma Faith; Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders; British jazz singer Jamie Cullum; Senegalese singer-guitarist Baaba Maal; Australian-born soprano Danielle de Niese; Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters; and Brian Wilson again.
BELOW: Watch the original “God Only Knows’ by the Beach Boys
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