The album was inspired by Wilson's desire to create a "teenage symphony to God", a concept that emerged from his increasing dissatisfaction with the limitations of the Beach Boys' earlier surf and car songs. He spent months working on the album, recording instrumental tracks with the Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles session musicians, and layering complex vocal harmonies with the Beach Boys.

Wilson also experimented with tape manipulation and sound effects, creating a rich and textured sound that was unlike anything else in popular music at the time. He used unconventional arrangements and instrumentation, including the use of orchestral instruments like the French horn, harpsichord, and theremin.

Although the album was initially met with mixed reviews and modest commercial success, it has since been recognized as a masterpiece and a major influence on generations of musicians. In 1997, it was ranked second on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", and in 2018, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.