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God Only Knows

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Album:      The Pet Sounds Sessions (1997)
Time Sig.:  4/4 with swing feel, or 12/8
Tuning:     Standard
Capo: 2
[Chords]
            EADGBe
           G320003
        D/F#200232
         Em7020000
         G/DXX0003
         A/E002220
      Abm7b54X443X
         C/G332010
          Am002210
          Em022000
        A7/G302020
      Bbdim7X1202X
         D/AX00232
           AX02220
           DXX0232
      Abm7b5202210
           F133211
         Dm6XX0201
         G/BX20003
         Am7002010
          D7XX0212
       EbdimX6787X
      C#m7b5X42000
[INTRO]
|     G|     D|     G|     D|
|     G|  D/F#|   Em7| N.C.*|
                      *bass does: |      D   D   E       F|
                                  ( 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & )
[VERSE 1]
C/GI may not always Amlove you,
EmBut long Em7as there are Astars above you,
D/AYou’ll never Bbdim7need to doubt it,
D/AI'll make you so Abm7b5sure about it.
[REFRAIN 1
GGod only D/F#knows what I'd be withoEm7ut you.D  
[VERSE 2]
C/GIf you should ever Amleave me,
EmThough lEm7ife would still Ago on believe me,
D/AThe world could show Bbdim7nothing to me,
D/ASo what good would Abm7b5living do me.
[REFRAIN 2]
GGod only D/F#knows what I'd be withEm7out you.D  
[INSTRUMENTAL l] (Keyboard, Bass & drums, then Scat vocals over)
|    F      Dm6     Am   Am7  D7| (Aah-aah-aah, Doo-doo-doo)[dual-tracked]
|  G/D     Ebdim     G/D  C#m7b5| (Bah-buppa-bah, Bah-buppa-bah)
[REFRAIN 3]
C/GGod only G/Bknows what I'd be with-Am7out you.
[VERSE 3]
C/GIf you should ever Amleave me,
EmThough lEm7ife would still Ago on believe me,
D/AThe world could show Bbdim7nothing to me,
D/ASo what good would Abm7b5living do me.
[REFRAIN 4] (Repeat x6)
GGod only D/F#knows what I'd be withEm7out you-oo,D  
                   GGod only kD/F#nows what I'd be withEm7out you,D  
(God only knows…)
                  (Knows   what   I'd     be..    with out   you)
[CODA] (Fade)
GGod only D/F#knows what I'd be withEm7out you.D  
End
NOTES:

All chords in this song (22)

The story behind the song

"God Only Knows" is a profound declaration of love, where the narrator expresses that even if their affection might waver, the depth of their partner's importance is undeniable. The song suggests that life could go on, but only God could truly comprehend the emptiness of existence without that beloved person. This unique perspective, using a phrase once considered taboo in pop music, was written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher and features on the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds. It's known for its intricate harmonies and rich orchestration, with Carl Wilson delivering a celebrated lead vocal. At its heart, it's a timeless testament to irreplaceable love.

AI-written from these sources:God Only Knows — Wikipedia ↗The Beach Boys — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

God Only Knows

God Only Knows

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God Only Knows

by The Beach Boys

Lyrics & chords · Original key · Capo on fret 2 (as written in this song)

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Em7

G/D

A/E

Abm7b5

C/G

A7/G

Bbdim7

D/A

Dm6

G/B

Am7

Ebdim

C#m7b5

Album: The Pet Sounds Sessions (1997)

Time Sig.: 4/4 with swing feel, or 12/8

Tuning: Standard

Capo: 2

[Chords]

EADGBe

320003

D/F#

200232

Em7

020000

G/D

XX0003

A/E

002220

Abm7b5

4X443X

C/G

332010

002210

022000

A7/G

302020

Bbdim7

X1202X

D/A

X00232

X02220

XX0232

Abm7b5

202210

133211

Dm6

XX0201

G/B

X20003

Am7

002010

XX0212

Ebdim

X6787X

C#m7b5

X42000

[INTRO]

G D G D

| | | | |

G D/F# Em7

| | | | N.C.*|

D D E F

*bass does: | |

( 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & )

[VERSE 1]

C/G Am

I may not always love you,

Em Em7 A

But long as there are stars above you,

D/A Bbdim7

You’ll never need to doubt it,

D/A Abm7b5

I'll make you so sure about it.

[REFRAIN 1

G D/F# Em7 D

God only knows what I'd be without you.

[VERSE 2]

C/G Am

If you should ever leave me,

Em Em7 A

Though life would still go on believe me,

D/A Bbdim7

The world could show nothing to me,

D/A Abm7b5

So what good would living do me.

[REFRAIN 2]

G D/F# Em7 D

God only knows what I'd be without you.

[INSTRUMENTAL l] (Keyboard, Bass & drums, then Scat vocals over)

F Dm6 Am Am7 D7

| | (Aah-aah-aah, Doo-doo-doo)[dual-tracked]

G/D Ebdim G/D C#m7b5

| | (Bah-buppa-bah, Bah-buppa-bah)

[REFRAIN 3]

C/G G/B Am7

God only knows what I'd be with-out you.

[VERSE 3]

C/G Am

If you should ever leave me,

Em Em7 A

Though life would still go on believe me,

D/A Bbdim7

The world could show nothing to me,

D/A Abm7b5

So what good would living do me.

[REFRAIN 4] (Repeat x6)

G D/F# Em7 D

God only knows what I'd be without you-oo,

G D/F# Em7 D

God only knows what I'd be without you,

(God only knows…)

(Knows what I'd be.. with out you)

[CODA] (Fade)

G D/F# Em7 D

God only knows what I'd be without you.

End

NOTES:

About God Only Knows Chords by The Beach Boys

Learn how to play God Only Knows by The Beach Boys with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “God Only Knows chords”, “God Only Knows guitar chords”, or “The Beach Boys God Only Knows chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy God Only Knows chords and for experienced players who want accurate God Only Knows lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, D/F#, Em7, G/D, A/E, Abm7b5.

FAQ — God Only Knows by The Beach Boys

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What key is "God Only Knows" in?

The chords for "God Only Knows" show the original chord names (including G, D/F#, Em7, G/D, A/E, Abm7b5). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.