"God Only Knows" was a regional hit for Philadelphia Doo wop group The Capris. It was their debut single for the group and was written by Ruben Wright. The song also had a dramatic effect on Motown singer Marvin Gaye. It has been covered by other artists as well.

Background The song was written by Ruben Wright.Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, Volume 8, Part 5B, Number 1, Unpublished Music, January–June 1954 - Page 487 It was hastily written and together with five other songs it was recorded by The Capris with their very recently acquired female singer Renee Hinton on lead vocal.American Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today, By Jay Warner - Page 92 The Capris (PHILADELPHIA)AllMusic - The Capris, Biography by Jim Dunn According to Charlie Stroud (who was to leave the group before Renee Hinton joinedAmerican Singing Groups: A History from 1940s to Today, By Jay Warner - Page 92 The Capris (PHILADELPHIA)), he sang the song first and didn't like it. So it was given to Ruben Wright to sing the lead. Wright then gave it to Renee Hinton.Classic Urban Harmony - Echoes of the Past, Issue #97, Philadelphia’s Original Capris by Charlie HornerWith contributions from Pamela Horner, Article page 1

The singer is singing about how only God can know how deep her feelings are and how she is worried that their relationship is breaking up. She also tells her lover that only God would know what would happen if they did.Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding' Genius, By Philip Lambert - Page 244 On hearing the song, Marvin Gaye said that it fell from the heavens and hit him between the eyes. With so much soul and hurt, he related to the story.Divided Soul: The Life Of Marvin Gaye: The Life of Marvin Gaye, By David Ritz - 4 Stimulation .....

It was released on Gotham G-304 on 78 RPM,45Worlds - 78 RPM Record, Artist: The Capris, Catalogue: G-304 and Gotham G-7304 on 45 RPM.45Cat - Artist: The Capris [Philadelphia], Catalogue: G-7 304 The 1954 and 1956 issues have different color labels.Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1948-1991, By Martin Popoff - Page 202 Capris, The (2)

Chart positions

+ Chart positions Week ending Position Region August 18, 1954 6 PhiladelphiaThe Billboard, August 28, 1954 - Page 78 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending August 18 September 8, 1954 10 PhiladelphiaThe Billboard, September 18, 1954 - Page 38 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending September 8 September 15, 1954 47 Baltimore / WashingtonPhiladelphiaThe Billboard, September 25, 1954 - Page 60 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending September 15 October 13, 1954 58 Baltimore / WashingtonNew YorkThe Billboard, October 23, 1954 - Page 43 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending October 13 October 27, 1954 3 Baltimore / WashingtonThe Billboard, November 6, 1954 - R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending October 27 November 3, 1954 10 Baltimore / WashingtonThe Billboard, November 13, 1954 - Page 97 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending November 3 November 10, 1954 4 Baltimore / Washington(e)-Billboard, November 20, 1954 - Page 50 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending November 10 December 1, 1954 10 CincinnatiThe Billboard, December 11, 1954 - Page 46 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending December 1 December 15, 1954 8 Baltimore / WashingtonThe Billboard, December 25, 1954 - Page 38 R&B Territorial Best Sellers, For Survey Week ending December 15 .Classic Urban Harmony - Echoes of the Past, Issue #97, Philadelphia’s Original Capris by Charlie HornerWith contributions from Pamela Horner, Article page 5

Other versions The song was re-recorded by another doo wop group called The Crystals in 1955.Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding' Genius, By Philip Lambert - Page 244 This came about because of it being #10 on the regional R&B charts of Cincinnati in December 1954. Syd Nathan who was the owner of Deluxe, a Cincinnati record label, rushed The Crystals, an all-male group, into the studio to record it. It was released on DeLuxe 6077.Classic Urban Harmony - Echoes of the Past, Issue #97, Philadelphia’s Original Capris by Charlie HornerWith contributions from Pamela Horner, Article page 1 In 1961, the song title was slightly changed. "Heaven Only Knows"/"My Darling" was released on the Sheryl label. The actual group that was on the single was The Larks. However, the credited artist credited on the recording was Cleopatra.45Cat - Cleopatra (DooWop) - DiscographyMarv Goldberg's Yesterday's Memories Rhythm & Blues Party - The Other, Other Larks, By Marv Goldberg, based on an interview with Weldon McDougal Then in 1963, again with the title as "Heaven Only Knows", a version by Little Cheryl. The female lead was similar to that of the original.45Cat - Little Cheryl - DiscographyClassic Urban Harmony - Echoes of the Past, Issue #97, Philadelphia’s Original Capris by Charlie HornerWith contributions from Pamela Horner, Article page 1

Releases + 78 RPM Title Release info Year Notes "God Only Knows" / "That's What You're Doing To Me" Gotham 304 1954

+ 45 RPM Singles Title Release info Year Notes "God Only Knows" / "That's What You're Doing To Me" Gotham G-7304 1954 Encyclopedia of Rhythm & Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups, By Mitch Rosalsky - Page 51 Capris Discography "God Only Knows" / "That's What You're Doing To Me" Lost-Nite L-112 1964 Re-release "God Only Knows" / "That's What You're Doing To Me Collectables COL 1001 1978 Re-release45Cat - The Capris (Philadelphia) - Discography

+ 45 RPM Singles Other versions Artist Title Release info Year Notes The Crystals Deluxe 45-6077 1955 45Cat - The Crystals (Deluxe) - Discography Cleopatra "Heaven Only Knows" / "My Darling" Sheryl 335 1961 45Cat - Cleopatra (DooWop) - Discography Little Cheryl "Can't We Just Be Friends" / "Heaven Only Knows" Cameo C-270 1963 45Cat - Little Cheryl - Discography

+ Appears on Artist Title Release info Year F'mat Notes Various artists For Lovers Only Lost Nite Records LP 102 1964 Various artists Oldies From The Past Lost Nite Records LP-110 1965 The Capris Gotham Recording Stars The Capris Collectables CLP 5000 1990 LP Discogs - The Capris (2) Discography, Appearances The Capris 1954-1958 Flyright Records FLY CD 56 1993 CD Discogs - The Capris (2) Discography, The Capris (2) Discography, Compilations The Capris Best Of The Capris Go GO-1000 Discogs - The Capris (2) Discography, Unofficial Various artists Spotlite On Gotham Records Vol 1 Collectables COL-CD-5633The Spotlite Series 1995 CD Various artists Collectables Presents For Collectors OnlyVolume 1 "The Rarities" Collectables COL-7003 2LP Various artists Street Corner Symphonies Volume 6 : 1954 Bear Family Records BCD17284Series: Street Corner Symphonies – Volume 6: 1954 2012 CD Discogs - The Capris (2) Discography, Appearances

References

External links "God Only Knows" sung by The Capris in 1954 "God Only Knows" by Renee Hinton in 1991