Cross released his debut album, 'Christopher Cross', in 1979, and it garnered him five Grammy Awards. He's the only artist in history to receive all of the "Big Four" Grammy Awards (for 'Best Record', 'Best Song', 'Best Album', and 'Best New Artist') in the same year. Hits from the critically acclaimed album, along with "Sailing" (a number one hit that remained within Billboard's Top 40 for over three months), include "Ride Like the Wind" (which was a #2 hit), "Never Be the Same" (going to #15), and "Say You'll Be Mine" (rising to #20). Critics such as Allmusic's Mike DeGagne have lauded Cross' " crisp and colorful" songwriting and "soothing voice".
Labeled as possibly having 'peaked too early' as time went on, Cross proved the doubters wrong with another number one hit in "Arthur's Theme" (also known as "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"). A part of the Dudley Moore film 'Arthur', the track, as stated before, won him the Academy Award for Best Song in 1981 alongside co-composers Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, and Peter Allen. Although his popularity has waxed and waned over the years since his 70s heyday, Cross has earned a reputation as one of the key artists playing what would become known as "yacht rock" alongside contemporaries such as Loggins & Messina.
I Know You Well
Christopher Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A good scotch half gone
And I'll never win Mr. Congeniality
I BS'd once again
She acquiesced
And I got off on a technicality
I've always loved our little wars
I may concede but I will not bleed
I will not bleed
The James Dean, the prom queen
Impractical fascination
Having its way again
She knows Astaire's got nothing on me
When I take her out tonight
When I take her out tonight
I've always loved the way you dance
How you defy our circumstance
There may not be more than see
More than I see
C'est la vie
I know you well (You know me well)
I know you well (You know me well)
I know you well, boy
And before the dawn comes you'll be gone
ell, it's symbiotic
It's a sweet narcotic
Not a futile search for romantic perfection
Well, that's too much trouble
So make mine a double
My head's a very scary neighborhood
Don't wanna walk it alone
I thought I had something more to say
Before you kissed my neck that way
I'll let it be
Well, that works for me
So c'est la vie
C'est la vie
I know you well (You know me well)
I know you well (You know me well)
I know you well, boy
And before the dawn comes you'll be gone
You know me well (I know you well)
You know me well (I know you well)
I know you well, girl
And tomorrow we might just move on
The lyrics of Christopher Cross's song "I Know You Well" speak about a seemingly complicated relationship between two individuals. The first verse suggests that the singer may have managed to get away with something by using technicalities and smooth talking. He admits that he may never win any congeniality awards but is content with his "little wars" and agreements signed behind closed doors. He also mentions that he enjoys dancing with his partner and how she defies the odds. The chorus then repeats the idea that he knows his partner well and that before the dawn comes, they will move on.
The second verse starts with a possible admission of the addiction to the relationship, calling it symbiotic and a sweet narcotic. The singer also admits that he doesn't want to go through the complications of a search for romantic perfection and would rather have a double of scotch. He then remembers how he thought that he had something more to say before his partner kissed his neck, but he chose to let it go. The chorus then repeats itself, emphasizing the idea that the two individuals know each other well and that they will move on in the future.
Overall, the song seems to describe a relationship that may not be perfect, but the two individuals have learned to accept each other's flaws and quirks. They may not be in it for the long haul, but they know each other well enough to enjoy the time they have together.
Line by Line Meaning
A good fight half won
I've only won half of the argument but that's good enough for me
A good scotch half gone
I've only drank half of my scotch but it's enough to intoxicate me
And I'll never win Mr. Congeniality
I'll never win a popularity contest because I'm always BS'ing
I BS'd once again
I lied again to get what I wanted
She acquiesced
She agreed to my request without argument
And I got off on a technicality
I got what I wanted because of a technicality in the situation
I've always loved our little wars
I enjoy arguing with you and having an intense debate
Treaties we sign behind closed doors
We come to agreements in secret because we don't want others to know
I may concede but I will not bleed
I may give in, but I won't let you hurt me emotionally
The James Dean, the prom queen
We're like a classic movie couple - the cool guy and the pretty girl
Impractical fascination
Our attraction to each other may not be logical or practical
Having its way again
Our attraction is dominating our actions once more
She knows Astaire's got nothing on me
She thinks I'm a great dancer and better than Fred Astaire
When I take her out tonight
When we go out tonight on a date
I've always loved the way you dance
I love the way you move and express yourself while you dance
How you defy our circumstance
You amaze me by remaining optimistic despite our difficult situation
There may not be more than see
The situation may not be how it seems and we may not know everything
More than I see
I may not be able to see the full picture
C'est la vie
Such is life - things happen and we must accept them
I know you well (You know me well)
We know each other well and understand each other
And before the dawn comes you'll be gone
Our time together will be short-lived and fleeting
Well, it's symbiotic
Our relationship is mutually beneficial
It's a sweet narcotic
Our attraction to each other is addictive and intoxicating
Not a futile search for romantic perfection
We're not trying to find the perfect relationship or love story
Well, that's too much trouble
Trying to find perfection in love is too difficult and not worth the effort
So make mine a double
Give me two drinks instead of one to help me forget about the search for perfection
My head's a very scary neighborhood
My thoughts and emotions are complex and can be scary
Don't wanna walk it alone
I don't want to face my inner demons by myself
I thought I had something more to say
I thought I had something important to express but I don't anymore
Before you kissed my neck that way
Before you showed me physical affection and distracted me from my thoughts
I'll let it be
I'll let go of my desire to express myself and just enjoy the moment
So c'est la vie
Such is life - things happen and we must accept them
You know me well (I know you well)
We know each other well and understand each other
I know you well, girl
I know you well and understand you
And tomorrow we might just move on
Our relationship may change tomorrow and we may no longer be together
Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Razback
This is one of coolest songs CC has ever written and recorded. It's got a great groove. And the bridge is totally awesome.
Robert Bryant
Class all the way with this track.
Buckie Love
he rocks best song writer ever he and al Stewart. love you guys
ดาสา สมน
ได้ฟังแล้วมีอารมมีความสุขดี
เสียงดลตรีก้อเพราะเข้วกันกับ
เสียงร้องด้วยความยินดีครับ
ให้เตม5ดาวไปเลยสูดยอด
Glen Gove
WHY WAS THIS NOT A HIT SONG IN '98?
George Tune
Mood strikes at different times ( GEMINI) But Love It!
PLUS09386 YouTube channel＋－ × ÷
凄く良いです。
Claudio Cervato
Chris mi fai sognare.
Jing@76
💖
jungshook
<3