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.
I tried to sneak myself through, tried to get to the other side
I had to patch up the cracks and the holes that I have to hide
For a little bit of time even made it work okay
Just long enough to really make it hurt
When they figured me out and it all just rotted away
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
You better take a good look 'cause I'm full of shit
With every bit of my heart I've tried to believe in it
You can dress it all up, you can try to pretend
But you can't change anything
You can't change anything
In the end
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
I had to patch up the cracks and the holes that I have to hide
For a little bit of time even made it work okay
Just long enough to really make it hurt
When they figured me out and it all just rotted away
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
You better take a good look 'cause I'm full of shit
With every bit of my heart I've tried to believe in it
You can dress it all up, you can try to pretend
But you can't change anything
You can't change anything
In the end
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Remember where you came from, remember what you are
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Don't you fucking know what you are?
Go on get back to where you belong
Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes
You Know What You Are? Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This songs meaning is of course very debatable (well... Untill Mr. Reznor decides to perhaps tell us what its about). To me its bassicaly making fun of sheeple, worthless people who live worthless lives and do nothing for mankind, and remain willfully ignorant of things... I just like thinking that because bassicaly I think most people are completly pathetic, and Reznor shares my distaste for how worthless people are... Lines that might back my theory:
But you can't change anything, you can't change anything in the end
(Peoples inability to do anything meaningfull with there lives)
When they figured me out and it all just rotted away (People who would mock Reznor, despite his musical genius and inteligence and influence in music and peoples lives, just because they dont like his music).
Very personal take, I look forward to the day when Reznor might say what this is about.
I think you're wrong. To me this seems to be an introspective song, which seems fairly obvious as he speaks in first person during the verses. Then in the chorus he challenges himself "Don't you fucking know who you are?!"<br /> Sounds like Reznor was having some problems with his success or the 'rock star' image he felt he needed to maintain.