God Only Knows

The Beach Boys (Brian Wilson)
Arranged by Douglas Niedt

YOU CAN PLAY THIS! Purchase the arrangement below.

The arrangement I play in the video is difficult. But I also provide an easier intermediate-level version. You can mix the two as needed. When you come to a spot you cannot play in the advanced version, try the same measure in the easier version. Both versions come in standard notation with tab or standard notation only. See samples below.

When you purchase the arrangement you can download the PDFs of any or all of these versions:

1. Advanced version, standard notation and tab.
2. Advanced version, standard notation only.
3. Easier version, standard notation and tab.
4. Easier version, standard notation only.

This is a digital download.
After you order, within minutes you will be directed to a page with links to all four versions.

Only $10.00. Buy the arrangement (includes all four versions).

OR, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPECIAL OFFER

Subscribe to Doug's Technique Tip of the Month for one year (and gain full access to over 100+ tips in the "Secret Vault") and receive God Only Knows FREE. Plus, you will have free access to Doug's special Christmas arrangements. Only $24.

Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Secret Vault for a sampling.

• Receive Doug's arrangement of God Only Knows FREE.
• Receive a one-year subscription to Doug's Technique Tip of the Month plus full access to his Vault of Technique Tips.
• And, free access to his special Christmas arrangements.
• All for only $24.

Below are samples of the four scores you will be able to download.

Advanced Version, Standard Notation.

FUN FACTS:

• Brian Wilson wrote the song in 45 minutes with Tony Asher, an advertising copyrighter and lyricist.
• Released in 1966, God Only Knows is considered a Beach Boys classic, but was released as a B-side, partly because of fear that radio stations would refuse to play a song with "God" in the title.
• The song reflects Wilson's interest in spirituality, and was a big departure from previous Beach Boys songs that dealt with girls, cars, and surfing.
• Lyricist Asher felt they were taking some real chances with the song, not just because "God" was in the title, but also because "it opens by saying, 'I may not always love you,' which is a very unusual way to start a love song."
• In the version recorded by the Beach Boys, a percussionist plays an almost continuous rhythm on two empty jugs of orange juice. At measure #39 Doug imitates the sound with tongue clucks.