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.
In a few weeks I will get time
To realize it's right before my eyes
And I can take it if it's what I want to do
And I am leaving and this is starting to feel like
It's right before my eyes
And I can taste it
It's my sweet beginning
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
Maybe next year I'll have no time
To think about the questions to address
Am I the one to try to stop the fire?
I wouldn't test you
I'm not the best you could have attained
Why try anything?
I will get there
Just remember I know
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
To realize it's right before my eyes
And I can take it if it's what I want to do
And I am leaving and this is starting to feel like
It's right before my eyes
And I can taste it
It's my sweet beginning
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
Maybe next year I'll have no time
To think about the questions to address
Am I the one to try to stop the fire?
I wouldn't test you
I'm not the best you could have attained
Why try anything?
I will get there
Just remember I know
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
And I can tell just what you want
You don't want to be alone
You don't want to be alone
And I can't say it's what you know
But you've known it the whole time
Yeah, you've known it the whole time
Lyrics submitted by 60_miles_an_hour
What You Know Lyrics as written by Kevin Stephen Baird Alexander James Trimble
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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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/
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Thought that I could somehow get the hang of the song meaning from my situation. It's about the decision of someone to leave the relationship after knowing it's no point in continuing that ('cause she's not good for him)
The first 2 graphs tell about the present. Though he still feels bad but eager to start a new life without her, realizing a brighter path to follow (maybe a better girl?) & believes in the success "In a few weeks I will get time To realize it's right before my eyes And I can take it if it's what I want to do
I am leaving This is starting to feel like It's right before my eyes And I can taste it It's my sweet beginning"
Then he talks about the relationship between them. It's somewhat like a one-sided love because she took advantage of him just because she just didnt wanna be alone. "And I can tell just what you want You don't want to be alone
Now he knows it, he doubts if she knew it in the first place (that she only wanted to have someone by her side) "And I can't say it's what you know"
he talked to himself it was the bitter truth, she didnt love him, just used him. "But you've known it the whole time Yeah, you've known it the whole time"
He doesnt wanna stay as the underdog any longer so he decided to be the one to leave the relationship first. He positively thinks about the future, he will be far away, busy with his new life & not care about her anymore (while she's likely to miss him) "Maybe next year I'll have no time To think about the questions to address Am I the one to try to stop the fire?"
Lastly, he asks her to find a better one & tells her that he'll be fine. "I'm not the best you could have attained Why try anything? I will get there"
"Just remember I know" is a bridge to the chorus... he wants to reminds her that he knows what she did to him.
The repeated chorus is like one more time he blames her for using him for such a long time: Though it (she didnt love him) is "What she knows" but she kept silent and then hurt him so much.
@earlgrqkq Just created account for me to say this is a great interpretations! :D