Only God Knows Why

This article is about the Kid Rock song. For the Beach Boys song, see God Only Knows.

"Only God Knows Why"
Single by Kid Rock
from the album Devil Without a Cause
ReleasedNovember 30, 1999 (1999-11-30)
StudioWhite Room (Detroit, Michigan)
Genre
Length
  • 5:27 (album version)
  • 4:17 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Kid Rock
  • John Travis
Kid Rock singles chronology
"Cowboy"
(1999) 		"Only God Knows Why"
(1999) 		"Wasting Time"
(2000)

"Only God Knows Why" is a song by American musician Kid Rock. It appears as the 11th track on his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause (1998). The song was the first recorded ballad on record by Kid Rock. It is a weary power ballad in which the first four lines were written while Kid Rock was in jail after a bar fight after signing to Atlantic Records in 1997.

The song was released as a single in 1999 and peaked at number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, eventually ranking at number 67 on the Billboard year-end chart for 2000. VH1 named it the 19th greatest power ballad in 2002.[3] Outlaw country singer David Allan Coe released a live cover version of his release Live at Billy Bob's in 2003.

Music video

The music video is a montage of stage performances, his off time during touring, wandering the streets of and riding the streetcars in New Orleans and his performance at Woodstock 1999. The most infamous scenes are him getting hit with a full wine bottle in the head onstage, along with an overzealous fan following him to his car with security holding him back. His band, mother, father, and son are featured (during the part where he sings "I watch my youngest son and it helps to pass the time"). There are cameos by other stars like Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers and Hank Williams Jr. whose appearance comes after Kid Rock appeared in his "Naked Women and Beer" video.

There is a censored version, with the buttocks of a stripper blurred out while Kid Rock is signing it and when he makes a gun gesture which is blurred out.

Track listing

CD single

  1. "Only God Knows Why" (radio edit)
  2. "Only God Knows Why" (German radio edit)
  3. "Wasting Time" (live)

Personnel

  • Kid Rock – vocals, acoustic guitar
  • Kenny Olson – lead guitar
  • Bobby East – slide guitar
  • Jimmie Bones – piano, organ
  • Stephanie Eulinberg – drums, percussion

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 30, 1999
[17]
January 25, 2000 Contemporary hit radio [18]

References

  1. ^ D'Angelo, Joe. "Nu Metal Meltdown (Page 3)". MTV. Archived from the original on February 1, 2003. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Stewart, Shea (February 1, 2011). "Kid Rock's rebirth". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "25 Greatest Power Ballads". The Greatest. May 23, 2003. VH1.
  4. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 9756". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  5. ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Image 9767". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  6. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  7. ^ "Kid Rock Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  8. ^ "Kid Rock Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  9. ^ "Kid Rock Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "Kid Rock Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  11. ^ "Kid Rock Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  12. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 2000". Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  13. ^ "Most Played Adult Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 48.
  14. ^ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-87.
  15. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 54.
  16. ^ "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 38.
  17. ^ "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1327. November 26, 1999. pp. 97, 102, 108.
  18. ^ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1334. January 21, 2000. p. 44.
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