The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm absorbed in mediocrity
? uncertainty
Glazed with profanity
And conform like fraternity
I yearn for serenity
With endless possibilities
Overwhelming capabilities
[Chorus: x2]
Singing, I don't know if I've been reborn,
Lived a past life, suffered in another time,
I don't know
Give it up, give it up
Well I don't know what to believe anymore
But every now and then I feel a moment of awakening
But then it's gone, then it's gone, then it's gone
Blanketed by the warmth of ignorance
[Chorus: x2]
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
So I'll just go on living my way
There's a strength in duality
Penetrate mentality
Give it up, give it up
I've learned from casualty
Don't have faith in anything
Give it up, give it up
Singing, I don't know know, no, I'll never know
I'll give it up
[Chorus: x3]
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
So I'll just go on living my way
? uncertainty
Glazed with profanity
And conform like fraternity
I yearn for serenity
With endless possibilities
Overwhelming capabilities
[Chorus: x2]
Singing, I don't know if I've been reborn,
Lived a past life, suffered in another time,
I don't know
Give it up, give it up
Well I don't know what to believe anymore
But every now and then I feel a moment of awakening
But then it's gone, then it's gone, then it's gone
Blanketed by the warmth of ignorance
[Chorus: x2]
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
So I'll just go on living my way
There's a strength in duality
Penetrate mentality
Give it up, give it up
I've learned from casualty
Don't have faith in anything
Give it up, give it up
Singing, I don't know know, no, I'll never know
I'll give it up
[Chorus: x3]
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
If I'll go somewhere special when I die
So I'll just go on living my way
Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes, edited by thejesu
I Don't Know Lyrics as written by Drew Roulette Dino Campanella
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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is this a new song they're playing live?
flowingmindspin, I don't feel that way at all...
it's more of a confusion, sounds like agnosticism to me. no they're not "turning into jesus freaks" or whatever. if it is about Gavin, then it is what he wanted to write and how he felt/feels. he's not pushing what he believes on anyone.
The album is a concept album as a whole. Read Rushdie's essay and it'll make more sense.<br /> <br /> From Traversing:<br /> <br /> <br /> The album is presented as a letter; Gavin has said that it is to be seen as a letter to the 7 billionth person in the world (inspired by Salman Rushdie’s essay “Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the 6 Billionth Citizen). The album tackles modern science, evolution, politics, death, and acceptance. It has been said that Mark discovered the Rushdie essay in author Christopher Hitchens' The Pocket Atheist.
I agree that this is not a religious song. It is more of a question of faith. Faith does not make it about religion. Good song though!
yes, this song is actually quite clearly against religion.. the album in general seems to be. "admit you don't know anything". in other words it is like a stance of agnosticism, and honesty.. admitting that anything is possible. other songs on the album mention the ill effects of organized religion on society.<br /> <br /> "there's a strength in duality".. Gavin can see what makes religion appealing. despite this, he suggests: "give it up"
An agnostic's anthem... :) I love it! This album as a whole is fantastic - their best, in my opinion. They really did do a killer job.
Clearly it's against religion if anything. I agree it's an agnostic's anthem. Dredg are so flipping amazing!
Flowing, powerful song; the vocals almost force you to pay attention to the lyrics.
Concerning the anosticism: "Well I don't know what to believe anymore But every now and then I feel a moment of awakening But then it's gone, then it's gone, then it's gone I'm blanketed by the warmth of ignorance" Apparently, the moments of awakening have enough value to create frustration that they don't pan out to more. It seems like the writer is embittered that the awakening is fleeting because although his blanket is warm, he calls it ignorance.
I totally agree with: "Cause there's no guarantee Of a god or longevity Admit you don't know anything And give it up" although the "it" may mean more than one thing. It is interesting that we communicate as if a possible-god is obligated to guarantee us anything, as if such a being is on trial by us instead of vice versa. Speaking agnostically, if there really was some ultimate, all-knowing being able to guarantee us longevity, a special place, etc., would it be more realistic to suppose that he must prove himself to us or that we must prove ourselves to him? If the latter, then we may well be in a state without all the answers so that this possible-god can assess what we are really interested in finding out / becoming.
Definitely a tribute to agnosticism. I think the lyrics really make the song, but there are some great guitar textures and sounds throughout the song that make it great with headphones.
I love how the music changes up, getting more emotional, during the "If I'll go..." part.
This song actually follows philosophical skepticism more than anything religious. The mention of God isn't so mucha questioning of faith, but of epistemology. He's questioning what he knows, of what he can be certain. The title and most repeated line of the song is "I don't know." What can we really know? The first verse is, in essence, the gist of Descartes' Meditations, particularly the first Meditation. The mention of duality (dualism) follows along with this. I feel this is reflection of philosophical inquiry and uncertainty rather than faith-based or religious.
This song is not against or for religion..."i dont know" IDONT KNOW! he does not know! no one does is what he is saying. He is saying that he is giving up the thought of what happens when you die because people will never know ( well at least in our life time and science currently ).He is saying he is not sure if there is a god or after life or a renew of life... he is saying HE DOES NOT KNOW...simple lol why are you guys over analyzing. HE IS SAYING EITHER COULD BE RIGHT AND HE GOING TO LIVE HIS LIFE ANY WAY THERES NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT OR CHANGE IT!
Tool's vicarious is another example of this lack of care for will happen and can not change! humans nature to fight and be kill each other of dislikes or survival!
Your welcome...no debating that..
Something about this song always kind of bothered me and I could never figure it out until now. Everyone claims this song to be an "agnostic's anthem" but I always heard a hint of tongue in cheek sarcasm to the lyrics. Especially lines like "blanketed by the warmth of ignorance" This entire album is about the "warmth of ignorance" in one way or another. Many of the songs seem to be about the dangers of the ignorance that comes from blind faith (Pariah, Ireland, Information) So it would makes sense that not having faith in anything would be the answer. But that is just swapping one form of ignorance for another. Rather than holding on to blind faith, the narrator of this song is embracing nothing and wandering through life in blind, blissful, ignorance instead. I think the point of this song, and of the entire album, is that whatever you believe in whether it's God or nothing at all, you should always keep your eyes open to the complexities of the world. Always question what is being shown and told to you, even if it's hard and frustrating and confusing at times to do so. This song isn't anti-agnostic, but I don't think it's an agnostic anthem either. The message of "don't believe in anything" isn't meant to be taken literally.