God Only Knows – English Lyrics

• By: The Beach Boys
• Album: Sounds of Summer

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys offers a beautiful entry point into the nuances of English expression. The song's lyrics, though seemingly simple, convey complex emotions of love and vulnerability through poetic and at times unconventional phrasing. Its sophisticated structure and timeless melody make it a special and rewarding piece to understand and sing along to, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in music history.

[English]

("God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys)

♪♪♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪♪♪

♪ [Vocalizing] ♪

♪ 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 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 ♪

♪ 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 ♪

(waves lapping)

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have a strong feeling of affection for someone noun - an intense feeling of affection
stars /stɑːrz/ A1	noun - celestial body
doubt /daʊt/ B1	verb - to feel uncertain about something noun - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction
sure /ʃʊər/ A2	adjective - confident in what one thinks or knows; certain
God /ɡɒd/ A1	noun - the creator and ruler of the universe
knows /noʊz/ A1	verb - to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information
leave /liːv/ A1	verb - go away from
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A1	verb - accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, people, and natural features
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - to be desired or approved of noun - benefit or advantage to someone
living /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ A2	noun - the pursuit of a way of life

Key Grammar Structures

• I may not always love you

  ➔ Modal verb "may" expressing possibility or uncertainty.

  ➔ The sentence uses "may" to suggest that the speaker's love might not be constant, indicating a degree of uncertainty or realism about the future. It doesn't mean the speaker *won't* love the person, just that they cannot guarantee it unconditionally.

• But long as there are stars above you

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "as long as" introducing a conditional clause. Impersonal "there are".

  ➔ "As long as" sets a condition: *if* stars exist, then the following statement holds true. "There are stars" is an impersonal construction to indicate existence.

• You never need to doubt it

  ➔ Use of "need to" as a semi-modal verb expressing necessity or obligation (in the negative, absence of obligation).

  ➔ The negative form "never need to" indicates that there is absolutely no requirement or reason for the person to doubt the speaker's feelings (especially the promise made in the previous lines).

• I'll make you so sure about it

  ➔ "So...that" structure implied. Result clause omitted, but understood.

  ➔ The sentence implies a "so...that" structure even though the 'that' clause is missing. It suggests the speaker will make the listener *so* sure *that* no doubt will remain. The intensity of the certainty is highlighted.

• God only knows what I'd be without you

  ➔ Indirect question using "what" as an interrogative pronoun. Conditional clause with "would be".

  ➔ This is not a direct question, but rather a statement expressing uncertainty about the speaker's life if they were not with the listener. "What I'd be" introduces the dependent clause acting as the object of "knows". The use of 'would' implies a hypothetical situation.

• Though life would still go on believe me

  ➔ Subordinating conjunction "though" introducing a concessive clause. Conditional "would". Parenthetical "believe me".

  ➔ "Though" acknowledges a contrasting fact: even *if* the speaker and listener separated, life *would* continue. "Believe me" is a parenthetical phrase used to emphasize the speaker's sincerity.

• So what good would living do me

  ➔ Rhetorical question using "would". Inversion for question formation.

  ➔ This isn't a genuine question seeking an answer. It's a statement emphasizing that life would be meaningless to the speaker without the listener. "Would" implies a hypothetical situation and highlights the speaker's dependency.