God Only Knows Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn God Only Knows in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: E – F#m7 – E – C – C
How it goes
God Only Knows sits in E major: E is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: E is E, G# and B; F#m7 is F#, A, C# and E; C is C, E and G. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EIF#m7ii7EICbVICbVI
- EE · G# · B
- F#m7F# · A · C# · E
- CC · E · G
53 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
How it goes
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
Sneaky heartbeatRoot bass rhythm · PopLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: E – F#m – E
How it goes
The last chords are I – ii – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EF#mE
- F#mF# · A · C#

What chords are in God Only Knows?

The loop is E – F#m7 – E – C – C (I – ii7 – I – bVI – I) in E major, and the song ends on E – F#m – E.

What key is God Only Knows in?

E major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in God Only Knows?

Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is God Only Knows easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of God Only Knows?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.