The 1996 stereo mix of the song, created by Mark Linett for "The Pet Sounds Sessions" box set, does not feature the same singers on the fade-out. Linett explained in the liner notes, "Brian's vocal at the start of the fade of 'God Only Knows' is missing on the multi track having been sung by Carl sometime after the mix Brian used on the original record had been created. The part doesn't exist separate from the track so ... it's not available for the stereo mix."