All That's Known
Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater Lyrics
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Looking for some action
Mr. Jagger said it best
He knows you never get, no satisfaction
But Mr. Dylan knows
That everyone is more or less a rolling stone
And Mr. Lennon, so quiet, knows better or so I've been told
We always want what we never get
Well listen hear, my friend
I can't continue to pretend
That it's alright
Cause that ain't right
That ain't right
I hear you're gonna make it big,
Rake it in with your master plan,
Mr. Hendrix understood
Those are only castles made of sand
Mr. Wilson took some pills,
And I don't blame him
It's hard to be alive,
Mr. Page, how he played
Mr. Drake stayed up late and made me cry
That says it all, doesn't it?
We always want what we never get
Well listen hear, my friend
I can't continue to pretend
That it's alright
They've said it all haven't they?
But what I want, what I want to say
Is listen hear my friend
I can't continue to pretend
That it's alright
No matter what we get
We never find our happiness
Ain't that a crime? Maybe that's why I've been told
Since I was six years old to compromise
But that ain't right,
That ain't right
All That's Known is a song written by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater for the musical Spring Awakening. The song is performed by the character Melchior, who is feeling restless and dissatisfied with the world around him. The lyrics reference various rock and roll icons, including Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Page, and Nick Drake. Each reference touches on the idea that fame and success do not necessarily bring happiness or fulfillment, and that despite their talent and accomplishments, these musicians were unable to escape the struggles of life.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for Melchior’s angst, as he looks for “action” but laments that Mick Jagger was right when he said “you never get no satisfaction.” The subsequent references to Dylan and Lennon suggest that even these legendary artists couldn’t find the answers to life’s questions. In the second verse, the lyrics turn darker, as Melchior alludes to Jimi Hendrix’s tragic death and Brian Wilson’s struggle with mental health. The line “Mr. Drake stayed up late and made me cry” is a poignant reference to Nick Drake, a talented but troubled musician who died by suicide at the age of 26.
Throughout the song, Melchior’s frustration and disillusionment build, leading to the repeated cries of “that ain’t right.” The final lines of the song express a universal human experience: we always want what we can’t have, and even when we get it, we still feel like something is missing. The song is a powerful commentary on the nature of fame and the illusion of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Hit the town, still dressing down
Despite going out into the world, I still feel like I'm not good enough
Looking for some action
I'm searching for something exciting to fill the void
Mr. Jagger said it best
Mick Jagger knows better than anyone that we can never truly be satisfied
He knows you never get, no satisfaction
Jagger understands that we always want what we can't have
But Mr. Dylan knows
Bob Dylan also has insights into our human condition
That everyone is more or less a rolling stone
We are all wandering and searching for our place in the world
And Mr. Lennon, so quiet, knows better or so I've been told
John Lennon, who was known for being a man of few words, may have a deep understanding of our struggles
That says it all, doesn't it?
These famous musicians have already summed up the human experience
We always want what we never get
We are never satisfied and always want more
Well listen hear, my friend
Pay attention to what I have to say
I can't continue to pretend
I can't keep putting on a facade that everything is okay
That it's alright
I can't just accept the status quo and pretend that everything is fine
Cause that ain't right
That is not a healthy way to live
I hear you're gonna make it big,
I have heard that you are destined for success
Rake it in with your master plan,
You have a detailed strategy for achieving your goals
Mr. Hendrix understood
Jimi Hendrix had a unique perspective on life
Those are only castles made of sand
Even the grandest of dreams can crumble and disappear
Mr. Wilson took some pills,
Brian Wilson struggled with mental health issues
And I don't blame him
I can understand why he turned to medication
It's hard to be alive,
Life can be challenging and difficult
Mr. Page, how he played
Jimmy Page was a legendary guitarist and songwriter
Mr. Drake stayed up late and made me cry
Nick Drake wrote beautiful yet melancholic songs that could bring tears to your eyes
They've said it all haven't they?
These musicians have already expressed what we all feel
But what I want, what I want to say
I have my own perspective to share
No matter what we get
Even if we achieve our dreams, we are never truly happy
We never find our happiness
We search endlessly for fulfillment and contentment
Ain't that a crime?
Isn't it sad and frustrating?
Maybe that's why I've been told
Perhaps this is why I have been encouraged to make compromises
Since I was six years old to compromise
I have been told to give up on some of my dreams in order to find contentment
But that ain't right,
I don't believe that's the answer
That ain't right
That approach is not healthy or realistic
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUNCAN SHEIK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind