Only God Knows Why

"Only God Knows Why" is a southern rock ballad recorded by Kid Rock in 1998 on his album Devil Without a Cause. It peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on Modern Rock Tracks, #5 Mainstream Rock Tracks and # 23 Hot AC. 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. Country Outlaw singer David Allan Coe released a live cover version on his release Live At Billy Bob's in 2003.

Music video

The music video was shot at various locations throughout his concerts during that time frame. Hank Williams, Jr. makes a cameo appearance after Kid Rock had appeared in Williams "Naked Women and Beer" music video. The most infamous scene in the music video is him getting hit with a full wine bottle in the head. The end of the video shows an overzealous fan following him to his car with security holding him back. His band, mother, father, and son are featured through various home video footage in the 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

1. "Only God Knows Why" (Radio Edit)
2. "Only God Knows Why" (German Radio Edit)
3. "Wasting Time" (Live)

Versions

• "Only God Knows Why" (Devil Without a Cause) - 5:27
• "Only God Knows Why" (Devil Without a Cause Clean) - 5:27
• "Only God Knows Why" (German Radio Edit) - 4:25
• "Only God Knows Why" ('Live' Trucker) - 6:33
• "Only God Knows Why" ('Live' Trucker Clean) - 6:33

Charts

References