The best-supported answer is “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys. That song is widely regarded as one of Michael Jackson’s favorite Beach Boys tracks, though different sources and fan discussions sometimes mention his appreciation for other Pet Sounds / Surf’s Up era songs as well.

Quick context

Michael Jackson is often linked with the Beach Boys’ more ambitious harmonies and lush production rather than just their surf-pop hits. Among those, “God Only Knows” comes up most often as the standout favorite in music discussion and reporting.

Why this one

  • It’s one of the Beach Boys’ most celebrated songs.
  • It fits the kind of emotional, layered pop that Jackson admired.
  • Fan discussion also points to his broader love for the Surf’s Up era, which suggests his taste went beyond a single track.

Caveat

There does not seem to be a single universally confirmed statement from Michael Jackson that settles this beyond doubt, so the safest answer is that “God Only Knows” is the song most commonly identified as his favorite.

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Michael Jackson's favorite Beach Boys song “God Only Knows”
TL;DR: **“God Only Knows”** is the Beach Boys song most often cited as Michael Jackson’s favorite.