The song broke new ground in many ways. It was one of the first commercial pop songs to use the word 'God' in its title. The song was also far more technically sophisticated than anything the Beach Boys, or arguably any pop group, had ever attempted before - particularly the complicated melodic structure and vocal harmonies. As producer, Brian Wilson also used many unorthodox instruments for the genre, including the harpsichord and French horns that are heard in the song's famous introduction. And then we still haven't touched on those intricate chord changes combined with the off-tone descending bassline. Man, this song is really out there!
Mojo magazine ranked the song as the 13th greatest song of all time. Pitchfork Media named it the best song of the 1960s. The song is 25th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
God Only Knows
The Beach Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 meWell, 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
The lyrics to "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys are a testament to the powerful impact that love can have on someone's life. The opening line, "I may not always love you," sets the tone for a vulnerable confession from the singer, who acknowledges that feelings can change over time. However, they then reassure their partner that regardless of whether their feelings wane, the stars will always shine above them, and their devotion will remain unshaken.
The line "God only knows what I'd be without you" underscores the sentiment that the singer's life would be drastically different without their beloved by their side. The prospect of a future without them is almost unimaginable, and the world would hold no value for them. Their love for their partner is vital and all-consuming, and nothing can compare to the joy and completeness they feel when they are with them.
Line by Line Meaning
I may not always love you
There may be times when my love for you is in question
But long as there are stars above you
But as long as the stars shine in the sky, my love for you will endure
You never need to doubt it
You should never worry about the truth of my love
I'll make you so sure about it
I will always try my best to make you certain of my love
God only knows what I'd be without you
Only the divine can imagine what my life would be like if you were not in it
If you should ever leave me
In the unlikely event that you decide to go,
Well, life would still go on, believe me
the world would keep spinning, of course, but don't think that means my feelings for you would die
The world could show nothing to me
No matter what happens in the world, it means nothing without you
So what good would living do me?
If you are not there to share it with, what good is life?
God only knows what I'd be without you
Only a higher power knows what I would do if you were not by my side
God only knows what I'd be without you
My love for you is immeasurable and invaluable
God only knows what I'd be without you
My gratitude for your presence in my life cannot be expressed in words
God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
Only a higher being can understand the depth of my emotions for you
God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
I cannot even fathom what my existence would be like without you
God only knows what I'd be without you (God only knows)
Only a higher power can comprehend how lost and incomplete I would feel without you
God only knows what I'd be without you (what I'd be without you)
I cannot begin to imagine a world without you in it
God only knows what I'd be without you
I will cherish every moment with you because without you, I am incomplete
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brian Douglas Wilson, Tony Asher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
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
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
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
(God only knows)
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
God only knows what I’d be without you
(God only knows)
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
God only knows what I’d be without you
(God only knows)
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
@MountUnonAreaAfricanAmericanCi
Rest in Peace. May your music be played for generations.
@StevenBlades-b6c
So sad
@schex9
His music will be played and studied from here to eternity
@waynejohanson1083
My it be played forever. God only knows what his music has meant to me.
@nicholassgouros8612
It will. As long as there are human ears.
@garyzella164
😢😢
@christinedamico9495
The whole world is listening to this song right now. The background music of our youth.
@cherylhaynes4337
Yes!
@kathleenbarry-y7l
Thank you Brian Wilson.
@adriannewolf9814
I am ❤