You Don't Know
98ー Lyrics


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Who could know the emptiness inside
Every time I see your face
Too many feelings left behind
Do you wonder why
I turn away when you look at me
Never wanting your eyes to see
This desperate heart that knows
How perfect we could be
Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel
Livin' my life without you
Baby, and you don't know what it's like
Lovin' you all this time
I'll give you all my love, heart and soul
Riskin' it all on a chance
Now when I need you the most
You don't know
All I ever wanted in this world
Baby, I found in you
I never felt this way before
But I can't break through
And now I lie awake, alone at night
So afraid now to close my eyes
Just one more dream of you
I'll carry here inside
Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel
Livin' my life without you
Baby, and you don't know what it's like
Lovin' you all this time
I'll give you all my love, heart and soul
Riskin' it all on a chance
Now when I need you the most
You don't know
And I would hold you all through the night
I would stay right by your side
And I'd give you the world if your love was mine
But, baby, could it be I'm only dreamin'
Don't let it pass me by
Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel
Livin' my life without you
Baby, and you don't know what it's like
Lovin' you all this time
I'll give you all my love, heart and soul
Riskin' it all on a chance




Now when I need you the most
You don't know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 98°'s "You Don't Know" speak of unrequited love and the agony it causes. The singer talks about the emptiness he feels every time he sees the object of his affection, how he turns away because he doesn't want her to see the desperate heart inside him that knows how perfect they could be together. He gives a glimpse into how much he loves her and how he is willing to give her everything he has, heart and soul, risking it all on a chance. However, she doesn't seem to know how he feels and what it's like to be loved by him all this time. The singer is left alone at night with his thoughts, wondering if his dream of being with the girl he loves will come true.


The song presents a relatable theme that depicts the pain of unrequited love. The lyrics serve as a powerful reminder of the power of love and the pain it can bring when unreciprocated. The singer's vulnerability in expressing his feelings unashamedly, only for it to be unrequited, is truly heartbreaking. The chorus with its repetitive use of the phrase "Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel" is particularly haunting, driving home the point that the pain of unrequited love can be unbearable. The song is a poignant reminder that love is not always reciprocated, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, it just isn't possible to be with the ones we love.


Line by Line Meaning

Who could know the emptiness inside
No one can understand the void within myself


Every time I see your face
Whenever I catch a glimpse of you


Too many feelings left behind
Numerous emotions have been left unsaid and unexpressed


Do you wonder why
Have you ever pondered on the reason


I turn away when you look at me
I avert my gaze every time you stare at me


Never wanting your eyes to see
I don't want to expose my true emotions by looking into your eyes


This desperate heart that knows
The heart that is yearning, craving and fully aware


How perfect we could be
The potential that we could have a perfect relationship


Baby, 'cause you don't know how I feel
My feelings have never been expressed to you


Livin' my life without you
My existence without you in my life is unimaginable


Baby, and you don't know what it's like
Your unawareness of how it feels


Lovin' you all this time
Being in love with you all along


I'll give you all my love, heart and soul
My entire being will be dedicated to loving you


Riskin' it all on a chance
Taking a leap of faith with everything riding on it


Now when I need you the most
At the very moment, I require your presence


You don't know
You lack understanding


All I ever wanted in this world
My utmost desire in this universe


Baby, I found in you
I found in you, my love


I never felt this way before
I have never experienced these feelings towards anyone else ever before


But I can't break through
I can't seem to express them fully


And now I lie awake, alone at night
I stay up at night, with nothing but loneliness to keep me company


So afraid now to close my eyes
I fear sleep, for fear of having dreams about you


Just one more dream of you
Just one more vision of you in my subconscious


I'll carry here inside
I will take this feeling within me always


And I would hold you all through the night
If given the chance, I would cherish holding you all night long


I would stay right by your side
I would never leave your side


And I'd give you the world if your love was mine
If you would love me in return, I would give you everything


But, baby, could it be I'm only dreamin'
Perhaps it's just an unreachable dream


Don't let it pass me by
Don't let the chance slip away




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOUIS BIANCANIELLO, NICK LACHEY, SAM WATTERS, SAMUEL WATTERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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