A Question Mark
Elliott Smith/Elliot Smith Lyrics
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You got a need to always take some shot in the dark
I don't have to make pretend the picture I'm in is totally clear
You think that all things have a way they ought to appear
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
Don't know what you mean
Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
You're giving back a little hatred now to the world
'Cause it treated you bad
'cod you couldn't keep the great unknown from making you mad
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
Said your final word, but honesty and love could've kept us together
One day you'll see it's worth it after all
If you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call
In Elliott Smith's song A Question Mark, he explores the difference between someone who lives in reality and someone who lives in their own dream world. Through the lyrics, he talks to someone who always takes a shot in the dark and believes that things have an ideal way they should appear. However, Smith himself exists in a dream world and does not have to pretend that his picture is totally clear. He believes in following his dreams and not conforming to societal expectations of what everything should look like. Throughout the song, Smith acknowledges the differences between himself and the person he is talking to, ultimately expressing a belief that "honesty and love could've kept us together" but now it is too late.
The chorus of the song, "you know you know you know you know, you know you know you know you know you know, I don't, I dream, don't know what you mean" plays on the idea of two people who are fundamentally different from one another. It highlights the fact that the other person thinks they know how things should be, while Smith himself is lost in his dreams and does not understand the other's point of view. In the end, he leaves the door open for the other person to come back to him one day, acknowledging that dreams and reality can coexist, and maybe one day they will meet halfway.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a question mark
I am uncertain about something and need more information to understand.
You got a need to always take some shot in the dark
You have an urge to take risky actions without knowing the outcome.
I don't have to make pretend the picture I'm in is totally clear
I don't need to pretend that I know what's going on because I am okay with not knowing.
You think that all things have a way they ought to appear
You believe that everything should have a predetermined form or structure.
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
I don't
I dream
You are confident in your beliefs and convictions, while I am more imaginative and idealistic.
Don't know what you mean
I am confused by what you are saying or implying.
Panic called you out and took you in
Giving you an easy game and letting you win
You are prone to feelings of panic and vulnerability, but you try to distract yourself with easy wins.
You're giving back a little hatred now to the world
'Cause it treated you bad
You are responding to your negative experiences by projecting your own anger and frustration onto the world.
'cod you couldn't keep the great unknown from making you mad
'Cause you know you know you know you know
You know you know you know you know you know
You become irrationally angry and upset when you encounter things that are beyond your control, while I remain open to mystery and uncertainty.
I don't
I dream
Don't know what you mean
I prefer to imagine different possibilities and outcomes, rather than being limited by a belief system or understanding.
Said your final word, but honesty and love could've kept us together
One day you'll see it's worth it after all
If you ever want to say you're sorry you can give me a call
You may have ended our relationship, but I believe that honesty and love could have kept us together. Hopefully, you will realize this too and reach out to me in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind