"Only God Knows Why" is a song by American musician
Kid Rock
Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally as Kid Rock (also known as Bobby Shazam), is an American singer, songwriter and rapper. His style alternates between rock, hip hop, country, and metal. A self-taught musician, ...
. It was recorded in 1998 for his album ''
Devil Without a Cause
''Devil Without a Cause'' is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kid Rock. Released on August 18, 1998, the album saw Kid Rock continuing to develop his sound, moving away from the predominantly hip hop sound of his previous albums to a l ...
'', on which it features as the eleventh track. The song was the first recorded ballad on record by Kid Rock. It was a weary road ballad in which the first four lines were written while he was in jail after a bar fight after signing to Atlantic Records in 1997. It is notable for its heavy use of
Auto-Tune
Auto-Tune (or autotune) is an audio processor introduced in 1996 by American company Antares Audio Technologies. Auto-Tune uses a proprietary device to measure and alter pitch in vocal and instrumental music recording and performances.
Auto-Tu ...
.
The song was released as a single in 1999 and peaked at number 19 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100,
eventually ranking at number 67 on the
''Billboard'' Year-End Hot 100 for 2000.
named it the 19th greatest power ballad in 2002.
singer
David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe (born September 6, 1939) is an American singer and songwriter. Coe took up music after spending much of his early life in reform schools and prisons, and first became notable for busking in Nashville. He initially played mostly i ...
released a live cover version on 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
A tram (called a streetcar or trolley in North America) is a rail vehicle that travels on tramway tracks on public urban streets; some include segments on segregated right-of-way. The tramlines or networks operated as public transport are ...
in
and his performance at
Woodstock 1999
Woodstock '99 (also called Woodstock 1999) was a music festival held from July 22 to July 25, 1999, in Rome, New York. After Woodstock '94, it was the second large-scale music festival that attempted to emulate the original 1969 Woodstock fes ...
. 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 he sings "I watch my youngest son and it helps to pass the time"). There are cameos by other stars like
Mark McGrath
Mark Sayers McGrath (born March 15, 1968) is an American singer who is the lead vocalist of the rock band Sugar Ray. McGrath is also known for his work as a co-host of ''Extra'', and he was the host of ''Don't Forget the Lyrics!'' in 2010. McG ...
of
Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray is an American rock band formed in Newport Beach, California, in 1986. Originally playing heavier funk metal and nu metal style music, the band achieved mainstream popularity in 1997 with their more pop-influenced single " Fly". T ...
,
Gibby Haynes
Gibson Jerome Haynes (born September 30, 1957) is an American musician, radio personality, painter, author and the lead singer of the band Butthole Surfers.
Early life and career
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Gibby Haynes is the son of actor ...
of
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers are an American rock band formed in San Antonio, Texas, by singer Gibby Haynes and guitarist Paul Leary in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been ...
and
Hank Williams Jr.
Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of southern rock, blues, and country. He is the son of ...
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
# "Only God Knows Why" (Radio Edit)
# "Only God Knows Why" (German Radio Edit)
# "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
Peak positions
End of year charts
References
{{Authority control
1998 songs
1999 singles
American blues rock songs
American country music songs
Kid Rock songs
Country ballads
Songs written by Kid Rock
Southern rock songs