God Only Knows
by The Beach Boys

Album: Pet Sounds (1966)
Charted: 2 39
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  • I may not always love you
    But long as there are stars above you
    You never need to doubt it
    I'll make you so sure about it

    God only knows what I'd be without you

    If you should ever leave me
    Well, life would still go on, believe me
    The world could show nothing to me
    So what good would living do me?

    God only knows what I'd be without you

    God only knows what I'd be without you
    If you should ever leave me
    Though life would still go on, believe me
    The world could show nothing to me
    So what good would living do me?

    God only knows what I'd be without you

    God only knows what I'd be without you
    God only knows what I'd be without you
    God only knows what I'd be without you
    God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
    God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
    God only knows what I'd be without you Writer/s: Brian Douglas Wilson, Tony Asher
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 74

  • John from NashvilleThe song always stuck me neurotic and immature. Its not a love song. Its not a bad thing too say about. It's a reflection of it being a teenage pop song. In two verses, it captures perfectly the mental angst of a 'boys' self possession in love. Verse one is an unusual way to begin a love song indeed, "I may not always love you". It is a sudden hyperbolic declaration of love (Methinks you protest too much!) The impression that this hyperbole is a mask for growing self doubt and self absorption is clear in the next lines. "You never need to doubt it, Ill make you so sure about it!" If I was the girl in this song I'd be thinking 'well Im doubting it now! ... you said you might not always love me! Then you said you will make me sure that you love me. I didn't need to doubt it before you brought it up."

    In the only other verse "the boy" is again insecure about his love, imagining that he is left alone. What he imagines is only how the loss would affect him and his perceptions. Then melodramatically he hints that he would commit suicide "if you should lever leave me".
    If I were the mother of this girl Id say 'run'.
  • Adam from MinnesotaI widely consider “God Only Knows” “ Big Shot” by Billy Joel and “There is a Light that Never Goes out by “ The Smiths as my top 3 ever made songs even though I’m only 32 and grew up during the emo age, and yes I have a fond heart for emo and I absolutely love Staind but nothing beats those oldies I agree with the “A rose for a Emily “ pairing and I thought I was the only one who thought that so I was so excited I commented bc of that
  • Gilles from TorontoKathleen from Clinton, Md
    It may be just the chord progression, but parts of this song remind me of The Zombies' "A Rose for Emily." Does anyone else hear that?

    Yes I do, it looks like Pet Sounds was First!
  • Snazzy from Pensacola FlMy favorite Beach Boys song by far. Heavily influenced by hanging out with the Beatles, especially in India.
  • Jessica from UsaThis song was used in the Video Game "Bioshock Infinite". It's being sung by a Barbershop quartet when the Player first Enters the City of Columbia. It's also the first indication that something is wrong with the game's timeline.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaSome of the best work the Wrecking Crew did on any Beach Boys tune.
  • Anthony from Denver, ColoradoI absolutely LOVE this song! It's COMPLETELY different from the typical Beach Boy songs that came before it. This song was a turning point for Brian Wilson, because it's the first example of him maturing as a songwriter. In the past it would have been, "I love you, and I will be at your side until the day you die.", but in this song it came out as, " I may not always love you, but long as there are stars above you, you never need to doubt it. I'll make you so sure about it". His lyrics became more meaningful and poetic. That first verse of this song is probably my favorite verse next to Strawberry Fields "Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see. It's getting hard to be someone, but it all works out. It doesn't matter much to me.". Absolute genius!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 4th 1977, jazz vocalist Marilyn Scott's covered version of "God Only Knows" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #90; and on January 15th, 1978 it peaked at #61 {for 1 week} and spent 9 weeks on the Top 100...
    It was her only Top 100 record; but she did have three records make the Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, "Starting to Fall" {#25 in 1998}, "The Last Day" {#19 in 1998}, and "Don't Let Love Get Away" {#27 in 2002}...
    Ms. Scott will celebrate her 65th birthday in seventeen days on December 21st {2014}.
  • Kathleen from Clinton, MdIt may be just the chord progression, but parts of this song remind me of The Zombies' "A Rose for Emily." Does anyone else hear that???
  • Grant from Essex, United KingdomWhat a beautiful song. I think this and 'In my Life' by the Beatles, would be in my top ten songs of all time. Both are touching moving and timeless.
    Genius!
  • Ken from Louisville, KyNot only did Paul McCartney love this song, so did George Martin. Martin called it his favorite non-Beatles pop song of the 60's, because of its technical brilliance and use of instruments. In the 1990's, Martin hosted a British TV series about pop music and in one episode he went to LA to interview Brian Wilson about this song. They got the original master tape and broke down the mix. Martin tried his hand at mixing it and Brian said "Hey! I like YOUR mix better than my original!" Martin graciously demurred, saying "No way, your's was the best."
  • Mark from Topeka, KsThere are 2 reasons why this song didn't chart well .The first was mentioned ,the word God was banned.The second reason was the A side was also banned .Wouldn't it be Nice was banned because the were going to sleep together or it suggested this .
  • Pattie from Orlando, FlThis is my favourite non-Beatles song...ever!
  • Cerph from Earth, FlNo, Mark. PS preceeded SPLHCB
  • Aki from Sunrise, FlI heard that Scott Weiland loved this song so much that he wishes that he had written it. I think the influence goes into STP's "A Song For Sleeping."

    Sure to turn any Beach Boy's Hater into a believer.
  • Ekristheh from Halath, United StatesThis was used as a sign-off song on one of the stations I worked at. It replaced Hendrix' Star Spangled Banner.
  • Connie from Alvarado, TxIt was said that when Paul McCartney first heard this song he cried-Connie,Burleson,Tx
  • Barry from Ventura, CaThis is the recording they played at the beginning of the memorial service for the mother of the Wilson boys, Audree. It's long been among my favorites of Brian's compositions, but ever since that day in 1997 it reminds me mostly of her.
  • Christina from Bowling Green, KyThis is by far my favorite Beach Boys song. Joss Stone did a slow, soulful version of this song that is phenomenal. It's on her Mind, Body, & Soul CD and was featured on Gap commercials a few years ago.
  • Adrian from Crossville, TnThere is a version of this on the "I just wasnt made for times documentary with brian at the piano and Carl singing it. Its very close to carls death and is really haunting. Brian hums the french horn part.
  • Alan from Sault Ste. Marie, OnThere is and always will be a lot of discussion as to the greatest band ever with the Beatles and Stones in the mix. To me however its the Beach Boys. If Brian Wilson had just written "Don't Worry Baby" and "God Only Knows" I would have given him the genius label. Their beautiful harmony and the time and place they captured make them to me something special. I was fortunate enough to see them twice I concert once with Brian Wilson and the second time around with Glen Campbell on bass. They were fabulous. I realize I'm in the minority with this opinion but we all have our favourites for various reasons. In closing I consider "Pet Sounds" a very special and classic collection and the Beach Boys a very special band.
  • Pattie from Orlando, FlThis song is used as the theme song to the HBO series "Big Love" about modern day Mormon polygamy.
  • Hanny from Roden, NetherlandsWhat does it matter who was influenced by who ( the Beatles or the Beach boys)? Or whose album came out first or anything? I think it was good healthy competition and when you listen to their songs you should be glad that they did not settle for less.I like both bands. God only knows is one of my favourite Beach Boys songs. And I do remember that episode of The Wonder Years as well,that was a great show too.
  • Alex from Madison, WiThe music was inspired in part by the Symphony #5 of Jean Sibelius.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhBrian Wilson's comment about this song listed on his "Celebrity Playlist" at iTunes: "What stands out to me is the very loving lead voice of my late brother, Carl. The song is so spiritual and special. I really miss him especially when I hear the song."
  • Michael from Pasadena, TxDoes anyone else besides me remember a version of this song from the mid-70's sung by B.J. Thomas of "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" fame?
  • Dan from Toronto, OnThis was the second song played at my wedding, I just love it, the depth of the metaphors are what really drive it home. I can't believe my wife actually wanted Forever Tonight by Peter Cetera with Crystal ...something... for "our song" but she got her way, just like with everything else.
  • Chuck from Santa Monica, InI was born in Santa Monica in 1952 and grew up with the Beach Boys. I have have played guitar and written songs from 1965 through today. It is my professional song writing opinion that this song is one of the best songs I have every heard. Brian Wilson is a real song writing genius and his best work is right here.

    Thank you Brian with God's Rich Blessings,

    Chuck
  • Billy from St. Louis, MoTo clear up a few things: Paul McCartney has been quoted widely as saying "Pet Sounds" was his main influence for Sgt. Peppers. He's also said that he made it required listening for his kids.
    Also, as the tracks were done in the period when Brian no longer toured, some of the vocal dubs were actually done by other singers in the Beach Boys extended family. I.E. Brian's wife Marilyn and her sister from the girl group "The Honeys" and Terry Melcher (co-writer of "Kokomo") from The Rip Chords and Bruce and Terry (Bruce Johnston, Brian's 2nd touring replacement after Glenn Campbell and BB since'65.)
    There is a track from the Good Vibrations Box Set Bonus Sessions CD titled God Only Knows (tracking session). Among the revealing items, there's a version with Brian on lead as a "guide vocal" for Carl. And it ends with an alternate version of God Only Knows with an acapella tag(simply amazing), this is where the "extended family singers" are utilized to give it a bigger, choir-like sound.
    Brian would use the other singers more out of practicalit; to test out arrangements, because these folks were available in L.A. and the 'Boys were on the road, etc.
  • James from Yucaipa, CaAwesome song.The stereo version is the best.If this song was released today ( nov-2007 ) it would hit #1.
  • Sabrina from Corvallis, OrThis is a very enjoyable song. I think I heard once that it was the first pop song that made the top 40 with the word "God" in it. I've heard some very nice covers of this song, such as by Toni Tennille, but nothing beats the original.
  • David from Wilson, NyYou can find a rare version of this song on youtube.com where Brian sang the vocals. Because the song was written about his brother, he just let his brother sing it himself. Just type in the song title in the search block on youtube.com and youll find it. My opinion, I like Carls singing better, but Brian does good, See for your self.
  • Ron from Auburndale, FlI don't see how it is possible that this song only hit #39. All through my growing up this song has been such a staple on the radio that I would have thought it was a #1 hit. It should have been, it's that great!
  • Alex from Gaithersburg, MdThe album Pet Sounds is in response to the Beatles Rubber Soul Album. Revolver was out after Pet Sounds even came out. Therefore, Here there and everywhere also wasnt in response to God Only Knows. It was written by Paul..it is explained in "The Beatles Anthology" great song though
  • Paul from Cincinnati, OhJohn Wetton also played in King Crimson in the mid-70s of course...just some unrelated info in response to a previous post.
  • Paul from Cincinnati, OhAgreed, The Wonder Years was an awesome show...oh yeah, and it's a given that this song is great...I Just Wasn't Made For These Times is another great song on Pet Sounds, but sadly it doesnt have a SongFacts page as of yet
  • Rich from Spring Lake Hgts, NjOne of the best all time pop songs.It is amazing
    that this song never went higher on the charts.
    Another example of Brian Wilson being one of the
    greatest Composer/Songwriter of all times.
    Rich,Wall,N.J.
  • Mb from Newburgh, NyThis is played in one of the last episodes of The Wonder Years when Kevin sees Winnie found another guy. What an awesome show and song.
  • Adam from Yorba Linda, CaThis is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. I have played this for people who don't like the Beach Boys or "oldies" for that matter and they absolutely LOVE this song.
  • Michael from Montreal,que., CanadaThe most beautiful and complex harmonies I have ever heard.These guys were way ahead of there time.Beautiful stuff .
  • David from Youngstown, OhTrivia question for Beach Boys fans: This is one of only three Top 40 BB fans with Christmas bells. Can you name the other two?
  • Maggie from London, EnglandThis is one of my favourite songs of all time. It's one of the greatest songs ever written. I love it.
  • Bram from Zoetermeer, NetherlandsBut about God Only Knows, a very good song! One of Beach Boys' best, and I can't understand that it peaked at #39 in the US. Perhaps it tells us that many people don't understand music yet.
  • Steve from Torrance, CaJohn Wetton, bass player and lead vocalist in the band ASIA, from a 1996 interview: "That song has got everything! There's harmony, melody, feeling, arrangement, it is simply divine! It was like everything before had only happened in black and white and suddenly it all turned to color. I also think it was one of the first songs with the word "God" in the title without being a religious song; a very courageous thing to do at that time! "God only knows" was and is the ultimate song for me. If you listen to how the bass is played in that song, it's pure magic. "God only knows" to me meant that there was a future in rock music, things could be done differently."
  • David from Atlanta, Gaprobably the greatest love song ever
  • Michael Martarano from New Haven, CtOfficially, Pet Sounds was the result of Brian Wilson's brief but extremely influential experience with Phil Spector and love of Spector's music. Wilson worked on a song which was never finished, with Spector, who taught Wilson some of his techniques. Wilson later applied these techniques as well as using Phil Spector's core session musicians to create Pet Sounds. There was a competition between Phil Spector and Wilson in the early to mid 60s before the British Invasion was in full force in the USA. Sgt. Pepper's was a response to the musical intricacys of Pet Sounds and John Lennon's love of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound." Phil Spector would later produce the album Let it Be and several of John Lennon's solo projects; songs including, Imagine, So This is Christmas, Jealous Guy, etc.. In conclusion, both Sgt. Pepper's and Pet Sounds are the result of the direct influence of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound.
  • Seda from Long Island, NyThis is the theme song of the new HBO television series "Big Love".
  • Rob from Vancouver, CanadaWhy would anyone care where a band is from, as long as you enjoyed the music?
  • Brendan from Dublin, IrelandBrian Wilson did't have a nervous breakdown due to hearing sgt. peppers!He was working on the SMiLE project which was very avant garde at that time and he feared it wouldn't be very well received.He was facing a huge amount of pressure from Mike Love who said the music was rubbish calling it acid alliteration("Stick to the formula,Brian".Mike Love).Also, his paranoia was beginning to take over due to heavy drug use.This was the reason for Brian's breakdown and the subsequent shelving of the smile project.
  • Glynn from England, United StatesThis song is actually written about Brian's brother!
  • Shane from San Francisco, CaHey "Jono"...The Doors are the quintessential American rock band...

    I dont know how you could even wonder they were from anywhere else than America (more specifically, California)?

    The Doors and Beach Boys are just as good as the Beatles or Led Zeppelin...if not better...

    You should start to listen to The Doors A LOT to realize they are truely great. These are all great bands frankly...differnt flavors...like comparing Vanilla to Chocolate or Strawberry...

    "Mr. Mojo Risin'...Mr. Mojo Risin'....Mojo Risin'...Gotta keep on Risin'..." - LA Woman

  • Ginny Fred from Westward Ho!, EnglandIs It true that all of the beach boys were born on the beach?
  • Jono from Auckland, New Zealandwait a minute, i thought pet sounds was a reaction to revolver then sgt. peppers was influenced by pet sounds. I have to disagree matt from boston, george martin is the best composer out of the two bands, even tho he is the producer of the beatles i still think he counts. Are the doors american? i thought they were british for some reason, possibly caz they are to good to be american.
  • Kevin from Cincinnati, OhTo me this song is like heaven,i could hear it 2,or 3 times a day.I am not really a Beach Boy fan at all,but this is just a beautiful song.
  • Jeremy from Nyc, NyThe top chart position that God Only Knows reached was #39.
  • Matt from Boston, Mavaughn from new york. u are pretty wrong, almost laughable. the beach boys and the beatles were in direct competition and brian wilson is reguarded by all of them as the best composer of both groups, and he was working on smile at the time which musically is ahead of sgt pepper. brian wilson had a breakdown because he wanted to release his album before sgt peppers. in fact pet sounds is what influenced sgt pepper. well at least according to the beatles, george martin, and the studio musicians that were around them. maybe u know something they dont.
  • Elson from Los Angeles, CaInteresting how radio stations refused to play this because it mentioned "God," while nowadays anyone can put out a song with "God" in the title, yet obviously American society was much more conservative back in the mid '60s.
  • Elson from Los Angeles, CaBrian Wilson said that he purposely made the chord progression in the verses ascend to give the impression as though one was going up towards heaven.
  • Ross from Independence, MoThis is #25 in Rolling Stone's list of 500 greatest songs.
  • Robert from Trumbull, CtIn college, I once asked my roomate who he thought was the best American rock group of all time. He replied, "The Doors." When I said "What about the Beach Boys?" He retracted his original answer. God Only Knows why!
  • Arne from Gent, BelgiumPaul McCartney once said, that this song is his all time most favorite song.
  • Vaughn from New York, NyI watched a special called 20 years ago today that was about when Sgt pepper came out. One of the beach boys said that they were at a party and feeling really good about how well they had done and how they were the top of rock music at the time....someone came in with the sgt pepper album and he said the party got real quiet and all the beach boys just looked at each other and they realized that the beatles were just so far ahead of them musically, the party broke up and they were very sad..LOL OUCH!!
  • Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScMike. You got it backwards I heard from other sources that "Sgt. Peppers" was a reaction to "Pet Sounds". Anyway, I think that this particular song is a beautiful song, and I here it a lot on "Oldies" sations. I didn't know that it wasn't a hit. As far as banning it because of the God reference, I think the radio people didn't know what htey were talking about. I'm not particularly religious though.
  • Joe from West Creek, NjA gorgeous song that should've been a bigger hit than it was. As far as i'm concerned, the Beach Boys are definitely the greatest American rock-pop group.
  • Todd from Charlotte, NcPaul McCartney said that he was scared to death when they heard "Pet Sounds," as he thought it was the greatest album of all time. Of course, The Beatles one-upped the Beach Boys when they released "Sgt. Pepper" in '67. To me, 'God Only Knows' is the greatest love song of all time, played by the greatest American rock band of all time.
  • Robb from Hamburg, NyBrian Wilson heard Rubber Soul, which inspired pet sounds. Pet sounds was released in May of 1966, and Revolver followed soon after in August. Wilson then started on the "Smile" poject in late 66' after hearing Revolver. Smile was started off by "Good Vibrations". Once Wilson heard Sgt. Pepper's, he had a nervous breakdown and the "Smile" project was aborted
  • Rohan from Canberra, AustraliaI thought 'Revolver' was inspired by 'Pet Sounds'
  • Ben from Essex, EnglandJoseph's right, if anything 'Sgt Pepper' was a reaction to 'Pet Sounds'.
  • Cheryl from Melbourne, AustraliaPaul McCartney has said that this is the greatest song ever written
  • Joseph from Tucson, Az"Pet Sounds" was not a reaction to Sgt. Pepper, but 'inspired' by 'Rubber Soul.' ("Pet Sounds" was released in April 1966 and "Sgt. Pepper" in June 1967.)
  • Mike from Boston, MaThe Beach Boy's album "Pet Sounds" was written as a reaction to the Beatles "Seargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.
  • Charles from Charlotte, NcI am not a big Beach Boys fan but I loved this song from the first time I heard it. Beautiful melody and Carl was perfect as lead singer.
  • Matthew from Shrewsbury, EnglandThis is one of my very favourite Beach Boys tracks... Carl's vocal is just beautiful.
  • Matthew from Shrewsbury, EnglandThe track was recorded 9th March 1966. The vocal was recorded 10th-11th March 1966.
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