God Only Knows Chords – Guitar
God Only Knows Chords – Ukulele
God Only Knows Chords – Piano
God Only Knows Chords – Banjo
God Only Knows Chords – Mandolin
God Only Knows Chords – Harmonica
The Beach Boys’ achingly beautiful love song, considered one of the greatest ever written. Intermediate difficulty in the key of D.
Tip: Play with tender delicacy. This song requires subtlety — keep the dynamics gentle and let each chord transition breathe. Less is more.
Full Song
Verse 1
Verse 2
Bridge
Verse 3
Outro
Practice tip: The chord changes are more complex than typical pop — D, Bm, F#m, B7, Em, A7. Practice the F#m to B7 transition specifically, as it’s the most unusual change. Each chord should flow smoothly into the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "God Only Knows"?
You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: A, E, F#m, D and Bm.
Is "God Only Knows" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of A, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "God Only Knows" in?
It is in the key of A.
Who wrote "God Only Knows"?
It was written by Brian Wilson, Tony Asher, and released in 1966.