‘God Only Knows’ is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys released in July 1966 from their album Pet Sounds.
The song was written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher, as a Baroque-style love song distinguished for its harmonic innovation and complexity, its unusual instrumentation, and its subversion of typical popular song conventions, both lyrically and musically. It is often praised as one of the greatest songs of all time and as the Beach Boys' finest record. Many songwriters, including Paul McCartney and Jimmy Webb, have said that ‘God Only Knows’ is their favorite song of all time.
‘God Only Knows’ was issued as the B-side of ‘Wouldn't It Be Nice’ in July 1966 and peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. In other countries, it was the single's A-side, reaching the top 10 in the UK, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands.
Songwriters – Brian Wilson, Tony Asher
Producer – Brian Wilson
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1: Carl Wilson]
I may not always love youBut long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
[Refrain: Carl Wilson]
God only knows what I'd be without you
[Verse 2: Carl Wilson]
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?
[Refrain: Carl Wilson]
God only knows what I'd be without you
[Interlude: Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston]
Ooh, ooh
Do, do, do, do, do, do, do
Bow, buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do)
Buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do, do, do)
Buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow, buh-bow (Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do)
[Refrain: Carl Wilson]
God only knows what I'd be without you
[Verse 3: Carl Wilson]
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?
[Chorus: Carl Wilson]
God only knows what I'd be without you
[Outro: Carl Wilson with Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston]
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 (What I'd be)
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)
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)
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)
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)
God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)