If She Leaves, Will I Still Be Aware of the World Around Me? God Only Knows.

In God Only Knows Carl Wilson’s angelic voice is finally brought on stage. Critics often wonder why his voice was not put forth more often and Mike Love’s was held back and crown this one of Wilson’s highest achievements due to its three bass parts, piano, organ and two accordions, as well as strings, woodwinds and horns. Along with the critics, several songwriters such as Paul McCartney and Jimmy Webb have said instigated that God Only Knows is there personal favorite song in Pet Sounds.

God Only Knows is a particularly complex song both in structure and vocal harmony and is considered one of the best songs ever recorded by the Beach Boys. When listening to the song, one notes the faded resemblance to seventeenth and eighteenth century baroque music, including subtle hints of Bach within the instrumental background. God Only Knows was recorded on March 1, 1966 at Western Recorders. The vocals were recorded over several strenuous sessions with engineer Ralph Balantin at Columbia Studios. However, after developing sundry complex vocals, Brain Wilson decided to go for a more straightforward vocal arrangement in order to conserve the song’s earnest, heart-felt message. Wilson’s staccato bridge and Alan Robinson’s French horn motifs are the final angelic touches to the album’s notable instrumental highlights. 

In my view although the name might denote otherwise, God Only Knows is not necessarily a song about God but simply just an original love song. The song however can connote both meanings. On one side, because of the presence of the girl in the boy’s life, she is able to show him everything in the world, even the stars. However, if she were to leave, he wouldn’t be able to be aware of the world around him. As the song goes on, the idea that is suggested is if she were to leave, would he really not be able to be aware of the world around him? This is where the title and the answer of the song come in: God Only Knows.