I Know There's An Answer


Original Album
Pet Sounds
Written By
Brian Wilson/Terry Sachen
Produced By
Brian Wilson
Lead Vocals
Mike and Al on verses, Brian on chorus
Recorded On
Music and vocals recorded on 9 February 1966. New vocals recorded March 1966
Length
3:09
Notes
  • Recorded at Western Studio
  • Originally entitled "Hang On To Your Ego" and versions using original lyrics appear on 1990 CD release of Pet Sounds and the box set
  • Lyric apparently changed on insistence of Mike
  • Tony Asher uncredited co-lyricist
  • Mike Love was adjudged to have also been a contributing lyricist after his court case against Brian
  • Terry Sachen was the Beach Boys' road manager in 1966
Lyrics
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones

Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive

I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself

They come on like they're peaceful
But inside they're so uptight
They trip through their day
And waste all their thoughts at night

Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better

I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself

Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better

I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Chords
(intro:) Bb..........F7...........Bb........F7 (rpt)

.............Bb..................................F7...............................Bb
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
....................................................F7..............................Bb
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zone
Db.............................Ab7/GbF
Now what can you tell them
Db.............................Ab...................Gm.........Fm...Eb.........../D../C
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
Bb/F.......................Gm
I know there's an answer
Bb/F...................Gm......................Cm7.......Cm7/F
I know now but I have to find it by myself

.....................Bb.............................................F7...........................Bb
They come on like they're peaceful but inside they're so uptight
.........................................................F7...........................................Bb
They trip through their day and waste all their thoughts at night
Db........................Ab7/Gb
Now how can I come on
Db.............................Ab.................Gm..........Fm...Eb......./D../C
And tell them the way that they live could be better
Bb/F.......................Gm
I know there's an answer
Bb/F...................Gm......................Cm7.......Cm7/F
I know now but I have to find it by myself

Fm/Bb....Ebm/Db.Dm/C..Dbm/Gb..Cm7/F

Bb.....F7......Bb
Ab....Eb7....Ab

Db........................Ab7/Gb
Now how can I come on
Db.............................Ab..................G#m.........Fm...Eb...../D../C
And tell them the way that they live could be better
Bb/F.......................Gm
I know there's an answer
Bb/F...................Gm......................Cm7.......Cm7/F
I know now but I have to find it by myself


Chart prepared by Francis Greene

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