“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys is a timeless classic, celebrated for its intricate harmonies and emotional depth. For guitar players, mastering this song is a rewarding challenge. This lesson, inspired by Jon McLennan of Guitar Control, breaks down the chords and structure of “God Only Knows”, guiding you step-by-step to play this iconic song. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, this guide will enhance your understanding and ability to play “God Only Knows” on guitar.
Jon McLennan from Guitar Control demonstrating guitar chords for The Beach Boys' 'God Only Knows' lesson.
Intro Chords
The intro of “God Only Knows” establishes the song’s delicate and moving atmosphere. It primarily revolves around a few key chords played with a capo on the 2nd fret, effectively transposing the key to A while using G major chord shapes.
The intro begins with a G chord. Jon McLennan plays a G chord voicing omitting the first finger, focusing on the melody within the chord progression. Following the G, the progression moves to a D over F sharp (D/F#). This chord is played by fretting an F# in the bass (6th string, 2nd fret) while playing a D chord shape. The thumb can be used to fret the F# on the 6th string.
This G to D/F# movement creates a descending bass line, a hallmark of the song’s intro. The first four bars alternate between G and D/F#, creating a gentle, swaying rhythm.
The next four bars continue with G and D/F#, before transitioning to an Em7 (E minor seventh). Em7 is described as similar to a G chord shape, but with the index finger moved to the 2nd fret of the 4th string. This voicing adds a richer, more melancholic tone.
After Em7, the intro uses hybrid picking over a G chord shape. The bass note shifts to a D on the 5th fret of the 5th string, creating a G/D chord. This is achieved by picking the 5th string with a pick and simultaneously plucking the 3rd and 2nd strings with the middle and ring fingers, creating a fuller, harp-like sound.
The intro concludes with a series of ascending chords: G/D, A/E, and Bb/F. These are described as triad chords with the fifth in the bass, offering a strong and resonant sound. Specifically, these are played as G major triad with D in the bass, A major triad with E in the bass, and Bb major triad with F in the bass. This ascending sequence leads smoothly into the verse.
Verse Chords
The verse of “God Only Knows” introduces a new set of chord voicings, maintaining the song’s harmonic complexity. It begins with a C/G chord, played as a standard C chord but with the 3rd finger added to the 6th string (3rd fret) to create a G in the bass.
The progression moves to Am (A minor). Jon McLennan plays Am with a simplified two-finger voicing, barring across two strings. This is followed by another Am and then Em (E minor), played with the same simplified two-finger technique.
Next is A/G, an A chord with a G in the bass. This is played as an A chord shape with the bass note altered to G. This leads to D/A, a D chord with an A in the bass. One suggested voicing involves fretting the 4th fret of the 6th string (A), the 2nd fret of the 5th string (D), and the 3rd fret of the 4th string (F#), along with open strings.
Following D/A is a Bdim (B diminished) chord. While a full diminished 7th chord is complex, a triad voicing is used here. The frets for this B diminished triad are given as starting on the 5th string: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 2nd frets.
The verse progression then returns to D/A and concludes with G#m7b5 (G sharp minor 7 flat 5). This chord, G#m7b5, is described but no specific voicing is given in the text. It resolves back to the beginning of the verse sequence.
Refrain Chords
The refrain, often referred to as the chorus, provides a lift in the song’s emotional intensity. It starts with a G chord, then moves to D/F#, and then Em. This sequence is similar to parts of the intro, creating a sense of familiarity.
A distinctive element of the refrain is a “tag” or short melodic phrase that connects back to the verse. This phrase utilizes a move similar to one used in the verse, creating a cohesive musical structure.
The refrain section is repeated twice, building the emotional impact before transitioning into the orchestral interlude.
Orchestral Interlude Chords
The orchestral interlude is a unique and challenging section for solo guitar. Jon McLennan’s approach is to capture the essence of the orchestral arrangement by playing the top melody and the bass line simultaneously.
This section involves playing two notes together, creating wide intervals reminiscent of orchestral arrangements. Examples given include pinching the 5th fret of the 5th string and the 4th fret of the 3rd string together, then moving to 5th fret of the 5th string and 7th fret of the 1st string, and then 7th and 8th frets on unspecified strings. These pairings are described as creating an “orchestral sound” with “big open intervals,” evoking classical music like Bach.
Following these paired notes, a descending 8th note walkdown is described. This involves playing notes on different string combinations, such as 1st fret of the 5th string and 3rd fret of the 1st string, then moving up to 3rd fret of the 5th and 6th fret of the 2nd, and so on, walking down in pitch. The specific frets and strings continue to be described in pairs, focusing on creating a melodic and harmonic texture on solo guitar that suggests the orchestral arrangement.
Bridge Chords
The bridge section introduces further harmonic variation. It begins with F/C, an F chord with a C in the bass, described as similar to an E chord shape moved up one fret.
The bridge progression continues with Dm6 (D minor 6), played at frets 5, 3, 4, 5. This is followed by Am/D, then Am, and C6 (C major 6), achieved by adding the pinky finger to a C chord shape.
Next is G/D, then Ebdim (E flat diminished), returning to G/D, and then Cm7 (C minor 7). The bridge concludes with C#m7b5 (C sharp minor 7 flat 5). This complex chord progression builds tension before resolving back to the verse.
The bridge section then transitions seamlessly back into the verse, demonstrating the song’s masterful compositional structure.
Verse and Refrain Repetition & Outro
After the bridge, the song returns to the verse and then the refrain. The outro of “God Only Knows” is described as simply repeating the last four chords: G, D/F#, Em, and D/F#. This repetition creates a fading and reflective conclusion to the song.
Conclusion
Learning “God Only Knows” guitar chords is a journey through rich harmonies and thoughtful song structure. This lesson, inspired by Jon McLennan’s approach, provides a detailed breakdown of each section, from the intro’s delicate fingerpicking to the bridge’s complex chords. By practicing these sections and chord voicings, you can unlock the beauty of “God Only Knows” on your guitar.
For further in-depth guitar lessons and courses, be sure to explore Guitar Control’s resources and Jon McLennan’s courses. Expand your guitar skills and continue your musical journey by exploring the links below.
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