I have to stop saying to be honest
It's not a real defeat
To have to stop saying to be honest
It's not a great defeat

No no no not such a great defeat

All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way

Can you tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world
Tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world to people
Though people never seem to know
To people though people never know

The more I say the more I keep confusing things
To make me feel complete
So I keep lying to be honest
And it's not a real defeat

No no no not such a real defeat

All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way

Can you tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world
Tell me ten words that you'd use
To describe the world to people
Though people never seem to know
To people though people never know

It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you are
It's what you thought you could be
If you tried much harder

All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way

All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way
All these things that you don't know
It seems so much better that way



Lyrics submitted by Vurogj

Tell Me Ten Words Lyrics as written by Colin Newton Bob Fairfoull

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Tell Me Ten Words song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

6 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think this is saying that knowledge isn't everything, sort of like ignorance is bliss. "all these things that you don't know, it seems so much better that way"-sometimes it is best to be kept in the dark, there are so many unpleasant things in life I think he's warning people that really they don't want to know, curiosity killed the cat! "The more I say the more I keep confusing things"- so many people have different interpretations of the world because of their own experiences, it is no good try to understand everyone's views, you should be happy with your own opinions and shouldn't become someone to suit other people's ideals. If anyone wants to talk about Idlewild or other kickass bands then feel free to e-mail me :-)

    electricveilon April 26, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Can't beleive no1 has replied. Another great song off the latest album. I've been trying to decipher the lyrics for a while - I think it has something to do with someone who doesn't know very much about life/the world etc, maybe uneduacted? I think they're trying to say that you are what you are - you shouldn't try and be someone else.

    butterflykiss84on March 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Electric -- I think it's actually the exact opposite.

    Roddy, the lead singer is saying, "Can you tell me how you'd describe the world as a whole?" He's trying to get someone past making generalizations... trying to get them to explore, dig, dig... etc. They're living in their shell and not seeing how beautiful/shitty the outside world can be because they're stuck in their own ignorance.

    "It's what you thought you could be if you tried much harder"

    It SEEMS so much better that way. Not it "is" so much better that way.

    You could be right, I just thought this might help.

    alexbhlzon September 20, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I heard that this song was written on a bus journey once. It is one of my favorite Idlewild songs and it kind of gives me a boost of encouragement. "What you thought you could be if you tried much harder"

    Burnson January 02, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "It's what you thought you are It's what you thought you could be If you tried much harder " For me the song is summed up in the last couple of lines, i think it is on about some one who isnt very confident, their life has been held back by something, all the things they dont know, and they only see the world for these things. At the end it shows how the person thinks they could be and their compairing themselves to this, and only if they tryed harder then they may become what they want to be!

    chuntion January 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i agree with chunti and alex. I think this songs about someone who's ignorant and about how many people are really confined to their everyday lives. He's saying 'i have to stop saying to be honest'' because he's not being honest - he doesnt really know much about anything. He's asking people to think outside the box .... all these things you dont know (ignorant people) it SEEMS so much better but its not. tell me ten words is like a test saying can you? because most people cant (people never seem to know) and its wrong. He's asking people to strive for more and learn in the last lines (what you thought you were/you could be - like peoples image of themselves and what they actually are when they really understand the bigger picture)

    kisses, Godzuki

    10203040on January 05, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song: Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.” That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.