18 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A

A Question Mark Lyrics

I got a question mark
You got a need to always take some shot in the dark
I don't have to make pretend- the picture I'm in is totally clear
You think that all things have a way they ought to appear

'Cause you know, you know, you know, you know,
You know, you know, you know, you know, you know,
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean

Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
You're giving back a little hatred, now, to the world
'Cause it treated you bad
'Cause you couldn't keep the great unknown from making you mad

'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean

Said your final word, but honesty and love could've kept us together
One day you'll see it's worth it after all
If you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call
18 Meanings

Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.

Add your thoughts...
Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

i think this song is refering to people who think they know everything about the world and what people are like and analyse people when they dont really know them. about prejudice and misunderstanding because people never look behind things enough. he's saying he doesnt pre-judge people or life in general, he doesnt take things at face value and he sees what most people dont. at least thats what i got from it...could mean anything.

I couldn't agree more!

DUDE! Totally! Perfect interpretation.

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

i know it's a song to an old friend. and i think it's so personal, no one will ever really understand what he means.

@_christina : wonder whether the title is a bit of wordplay. What might have been his friend's name?

"I've got a question, Mark." [becomes] ...A Question Mark

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

Personally i think alot of elliott's songs are directed at himself in one way or another...

Ahm... I might be wrong , but I clearly hear "You got a need to always take some shot in the dark" in th efirst verse instead of "I got a need to always take some shot in the dark"!!!

yeah i thought so too

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

This reminds me of when my highschool boyfriend was so angry that I broke up with him that he told our highschool about my deepest, darkest secrets. (domestic violence situation, self-harm struggles, etc)

We broke up because he would get into physical altercations with his mother and somehow rope me into it. He would also suffocate me emotionally with his 'troubles' and always make it seem like it was my fault. During our breakup I told him that he can't yell at me when he's angry at the world, or his mom, or whatever he felt that day. He called me a stupid, flat, manipulative, b***** and continued telling everybody everything.

Negative
Subjective
Anger
Sadness
Disgust
Betrayal
Abuse
Heartbreak
Secrecy
Conflict
Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

wow, maxpowersupreme, i think you got it. i think what people don't understand is the fact that you can never fully get someone, and they judge.......even though they really don't know. actually, i get along really well with other people who listen to and appreciate Elliott, like just that in common tells us we have a common outlook and sorta get and appreciate the same type of things. i'm not judging, and i know everyone is different, but that's a big thing to have in common, and with as many people as Elliott effected it's rare to bump into one on the street. just my opinion.

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

wow

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

I think he probably had a girl in his life that put him down, cuz he wasn't the trophy she thought he'd be. She was hurt by someone else who that to her, so now she's got a bad self-esteem. Her attacks are a defense mechanism. She doesn't wanna deal with her own inadequacy, so she tries to live to an image. I've dated girls like this. In fact, I'd say a lot of people are like this. I've never really cared for popular opinion, and people don't always get me. Being able to relate to Elliott is what makes his music so great. He appeals to the human aspect of people, all the superficial BS removed.

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

said your final word but honesty and love could've kept us together one day you'll see it's worth it, after all if you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call,"

BRILLIANT. YES.

I haven't listened to this album in literally years and it's amazing how appropriate this is. definitely one of my favorites. one of my theme songs, as well...

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

it's like i've always known this tune, just me?? i really want to describe it other than really funky, which it really is it just sounds alive and happy in a not so happy way. this could so easily be depressive, but to make something out of nothing good, its very clever

Cover art for A Question Mark lyrics by Elliott Smith

for some reason, for many many years i kind of assumed (without reflecting deeply on it) that this song was aimed towards his parents. and I really can't explain why.

but now that i'm looking at it closer, i actually think you guys are right about almost everything, only i totally don't get the love-gone-awry thing at all. i think its the same thing as was said, but directed more towards friends. There's something in the phrase "say your final words but honesty and love could have kept us together" does not sound like two lovers

 
Questions and Answers

Ask specific questions and get answers to unlock more indepth meanings & facts.

Ask a question...