I Think I Knew
Cate le Bon Lyrics
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His eyes are born from the stead and rapid water
I WANT JUST TO SIT WITH HIM
Aging off the notion of a lifetime on earth
There's no working it out
My wanting is beyond our fields of formula
THERE′S NO BOUNDERY TO DEVOTION
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
No sign on the door
No title to the deeds I'm digging for
UPON WE WAIT INTO AN OCEAN
Blind out all the certainty and call it as I did
Here is reason to vice
Softening the corners of my eyes
I WAS BOLD, I WAS THE AUTHOR
Doubt crept in my sickle thoughts
And dragged me through the freeze
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I think I knew, I think I knew
I think I knew, I think I knew
I think I knew, I think I knew
What did you want?
EVERYTHING
How would you have heard me?
ON MY KNEES
There is no one that can be opened
This one to cut the harm to the other one to choose
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
I wish I knew, I wish I knew
In "I Think I Knew," Cate le Bon appears to be singing about a one-sided relationship where she is desperately trying to communicate with someone who is unable to understand her feelings. From the opening verse, "There's no talking to him, his eyes are born from the stead and rapid water," it's clear that le Bon feels like she's stuck in place, unable to connect with the other person. She longs to "sit with him" and "age off the notion of a lifetime on earth," which suggests that she's looking for comfort and a sense of belonging.
The chorus, "I wish I knew, I wish I knew," is a repeated refrain that acknowledges that things are not working out as she would like them to. The remainder of the song seems to be exploring her feelings of frustration and longing in the relationship. She talks about wanting everything and being on her knees, which could be interpreted as a plea for their partner to understand her. However, she concludes that "there is no one that can be opened" and that ultimately, she wishes she knew how to fix things.
Overall, the song offers a portrait of someone trying to come to grips with a difficult relationship. It's unclear whether the singer is singing about a romantic partner, a friend, or a family member, but the raw emotion in the lyrics makes it easy to identify with her struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no talking to him
He is unapproachable and cannot be reasoned with
His eyes are born from the stead and rapid water
His eyes are constantly changing and unpredictable
I WANT JUST TO SIT WITH HIM
All I desire is to be in his presence
Aging off the notion of a lifetime on earth
Over time, I have come to understand the concept of mortality
My wanting is beyond our fields of formula
My desire is too complex to be easily understood or fulfilled
THERE'S NO BOUNDERY TO DEVOTION
Devotion knows no limit or boundary
No territory to handle and cut neatly in two
Devotion cannot be contained or divided
No sign on the door
There are no clear indications or directions
No title to the deeds I'm digging for
I am searching for something that cannot be clearly defined or labeled
UPON WE WAIT INTO AN OCEAN
We enter into unknown territory with uncertainty and apprehension
Blind out all the certainty and call it as I did
Ignore all doubt and trust in my own judgement
Here is reason to vice
A reason to indulge in temptation and excess
Softening the corners of my eyes
Mellowing and relaxing my outlook on life
I WAS BOLD, I WAS THE AUTHOR
I was once confident and in control of my life
Doubt crept in my sickle thoughts
Uncertainty gradually undermined my confidence and sense of control
And dragged me through the freeze
I was left paralyzed and unable to act
What did you want?
What were your desires and aspirations?
EVERYTHING
I wanted to experience and achieve everything
How would you have heard me?
What was the best way to communicate with you?
ON MY KNEES
You required complete subservience and supplication to be heard
There is no one that can be opened
No one is willing or able to truly share themselves
This one to cut the harm to the other one to choose
Either option involves harm or suffering, and the choice must be made
I think I knew, I think I knew
I had an inkling or intuition about what was to come
Writer(s): Cate Le Bon
Contributed by Isabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.