They Don't Know
Burke Alexandra Lyrics

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I went to the doctor to open up my heart
Got my symptoms all mixed up
He didn't know where to start
Ain't no doctor in this world
that can keep a broken heart from falling apart

'Cause they don't know
Oh, they don't know

I went to my mother to show me how to cry
She said "Baby let me shed your tears, I'll make the sacrifice"
But ain't no crying in this world's gonna take the place of mine

'Cause they don't know
They don't know

Some questions have answers
and others just lead you on
Some answers don't answer enough
But I know
The answer is love

But they don't know
Oh, they don't know

I went to my brother to help me understand
Asked him why they're walking by
Don't seem to give a damn
Don't they see the love they pair's walking by empty-handed

'Cause they don't know
They don't know

I went to my father to get some prayer for me
He said I hold my head up high 'cause there's something there for me
Crying but I'm smiling through
'cause suddenly I see

What they don't know
They don't know that

Sometimes,

Some questions have answers
and others just lead you on
Some answers don't answer enough
But I know
The answer is love

But they don't know
Oh, they don't know...

Overall Meaning

In Burke Alexandra's song "They Don't Know", the lyrics portray a feeling of loneliness and isolation caused by the inability of others to understand the pain and struggles of the heart. The opening verse talks about visiting a doctor to open up the heart, but even the doctor fails to diagnose the real reason for heartbreak. The doctor is helpless in keeping a broken heart from falling apart, highlighting the helplessness felt by the singer. The chorus "They don't know" repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the theme of isolation and depicts how no one can understand what one is truly feeling.

In the second verse, the singer goes to her mother, hoping she can help her cry and ease the pain but realizes that no one else can replace her own tears. The lyrics "But ain't no crying in this world's gonna take the place of mine" reinforce the idea that one's pain is unique and cannot be replaced by someone else's tears.

The song also talks about the importance of love in life and how it serves as the answer to many of life's questions. The artist acknowledges that sometimes we're left with more questions than answers, but the answer is always love. The verses highlight the singer's attempts to seek help and understanding from family members but failing to get any. The lyrics also suggest that the pain has caused the singer to cry and smile at the same time, suggesting a feeling of confusion and mixed emotions.

Line by Line Meaning

I went to the doctor to open up my heart
I sought out medical help to cure my emotional pain

Got my symptoms all mixed up
I couldn't articulate my feelings clearly

He didn't know where to start
The doctor couldn't figure out how to help me

Ain't no doctor in this world that can keep a broken heart from falling apart
There is no medical cure for a broken heart

'Cause they don't know
Doctors don't understand the depth of my emotional suffering

I went to my mother to show me how to cry
I turned to my mother to help me process my emotions

But ain't no crying in this world's gonna take the place of mine
No one else's tears can replace my own

They don't know
Others can't truly understand my pain

Some questions have answers and others just lead you on
Some issues can be resolved, while others remain unresolved

Some answers don't answer enough
Some solutions don't fully address the problem

But I know the answer is love
Love is the ultimate solution to emotional pain