This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Mad in a way but I don't say
It's what you're used to
I got the words but can't convey
I know you'll turn it all around
It's the rhythm that you go through
Get it back and you're not obliged to say
Not intact but you're better off anyway
Somehow it's never up to me
What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
I don't place upon your view
It's the rhythm that you go through
I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Your story still remains
It's so unlike you, still you stay the same
But all the while you're counting in your day to come
But nothing ever told you
You would say that it's only for a day
Yesterday's last week tomorrow's on it's way
I'm falling faster all the time
What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
What came easy's now too late
And it was always standing right in front of me
'Cause I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
All the time you thought worth saving
Still end up with memories fading
After all that you wouldn't do
It makes no sense
It's the rhythm that you go through
I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
I know what I want
You take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Since you found me out, since you found me out
It's what you're used to
I got the words but can't convey
I know you'll turn it all around
It's the rhythm that you go through
Get it back and you're not obliged to say
Not intact but you're better off anyway
Somehow it's never up to me
What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
I don't place upon your view
It's the rhythm that you go through
I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Your story still remains
It's so unlike you, still you stay the same
But all the while you're counting in your day to come
But nothing ever told you
You would say that it's only for a day
Yesterday's last week tomorrow's on it's way
I'm falling faster all the time
What if I would say
Simple words I can't relate
What came easy's now too late
And it was always standing right in front of me
'Cause I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
All the time you thought worth saving
Still end up with memories fading
After all that you wouldn't do
It makes no sense
It's the rhythm that you go through
I know what I want
You just take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
I know what I want
You take me through the motions
I know what I want
And that's more than you can say
Since you found me out, since you found me out
Since you found me out, since you found me out
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This is definetly my fave Sum 41 song. The music is so awesome and i just love it. I think its about when you first start becoming your own person, like making decisions all by yourself and stuff like that. Kinda like growing up. Like the I know what i want you just take me through the motions part is talking about how you know what you want to do with your life and your ready to do it by yourself but whoever the person is isnt ready to let you yet and so they are still 'going through the motions' with you. I dont know if that is right but its what i think and id like to hear other peoples opionions about this song. But no matter what it means it is a great song and i love it!!!