The Beach Boys – God Only Knows – Verse
God Only Knows < All Analyses
Chord Progression
[‘D/A’, ‘Bm6’, ‘F#m’, ‘F#m7’, ‘B/A’, ‘E/B’, ‘Cdim’, ‘E/B’, ‘A#m7b5’, ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E’]
Chord Progression Analysis
1. D/A: D major chord over A (‘IV64)
2. Bm6: B minor, 6th chord in D major (‘vi6)
3. F#m: F# minor chord (‘iii in A)
4. F#m7: F# minor seventh chord (‘iii7 in A)
5. B/A: B major chord over A (‘V64/V)
6. E/B: E major over B (‘V64)
7. Cdim: C diminished chord (‘ii° in B)
8. E/B: E major over B (‘V64)
9. A#m7b5: A sharp minor 7th flat 5th chord (°vii7 in B)
10. A: A major chord (‘I in A)
11. E/G#: E major over G# (‘V6 in A)
12. F#m7: F# minor 7th chord (‘vi7 in A)
13. E: E major chord (‘V in A)
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The borrowed chords here are B major over A (a secondary dominant, or ‘borrowed’ from the key of E) and A#m7b5 (half-diminished chord borrowed from the key of B).
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Similar Chord Progressions
Whilst “God Only Knows” features unique chord progression, there are other artists known for their experimental approach to harmony such as Stevie Wonder and The Beatles.
1. “You Never Give Me Your Money” by The Beatles, with its distinctive segment of Em7 – A7 – Dmaj7 – D7, also exhibits interesting chord movement.
2. “As” by Stevie Wonder, especially in its chorus with the progression Bm7 – E11 – Amaj7, directly creates a dramatic tone by temporary modulation from A major to B minor before returning to the home key again.
However, it is worth noting that “God Only Knows” is seen as particularly unique due to its intricate weaving of borrowed chords and multiple key changes within its brief 2:52 duration.
Musical Analysis
The use of borrowed chords and intricate progressions creates an almost narrative soundscape. A good example is the progression from F#m7 to B/A. It evokes a feeling of longing due to the half-step motion from the submediant to the secondary dominant of the dominant. The use of secondary dominants and leading-tone chords enhances the sense of key movement and harmonic tension and release.
Overall Analysis
“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys showcases the artistic depth and compositional craft of Brian Wilson, the band’s primary songwriter. The song utilizes a complex chord progression and key changes that are unconventional for pop music of its time. The chord progression creates a sense of constant mood transitions, similar to arias in Romantic era music.
Style Analysis
In “God Only Knows,” The Beach Boys leverage unexpected but pleasantly surprising chord changes and harmonic developments, a characteristic common to Brian Wilson’s songwriting. This sophistication, combined with the song’s orchestration and layered harmonies, imbues the music with a symphonic feel that sets The Beach Boys apart from their contemporaries.
What are the chords in: The Beach Boys – God Only Knows – Verse?
[‘D/A’, ‘Bm6’, ‘F#m’, ‘F#m7’, ‘B/A’, ‘E/B’, ‘Cdim’, ‘E/B’, ‘A#m7b5’, ‘A’, ‘E/G#’, ‘F#m7’, ‘E’]
