"Only God Knows Why" is a song by American musician

Kid Rock Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally as Kid Rock, is an American musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter. After establishing himself in the Music of Detroit#Hip-hop, Detroit hip-hop scene, he broke through into m ...

. It was recorded in 1998 for his album ''

Devil Without a Cause ''Devil Without a Cause'' is the fourth studio album by American musician Kid Rock. Released on August 18, 1998, the album saw Kid Rock continuing to develop his sound, and marked the finalization of his stage persona as a 'redneck pimp'. Additio ...

'', 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. 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.

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named it the 19th greatest power ballad in 2002. Outlaw country 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, Tennessee, Nashville. He ini ...

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

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and his performance at

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. 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 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 ...

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". Th ...

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 acto ...

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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 has been described as a blend of rock, blues, and country. He is the son of count ...

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 Atlantic Records singles