To Know Him Is To Love Him
Emmylou Harris with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt Lyrics

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To know, know, know him
Is to love, love, love him
Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know him
Is to love, love, love him
And I do

I'll be good to him
I'll bring love to him
Everyone says there'll come a day
When I'll walk alongside of him
Yes, just to know him
Is to love love love him
And I do

Why can't he see
How blind can he be?
Someday he will see
That he was meant for me, oh

To know, know, know him
Is to love love love him
Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know, know, know him

Is to love love love him
And I do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "To Know Him Is To Love Him" by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt speak to the intense feeling of love and adoration one has for another person. The repeated phrase "to know him is to love him" emphasizes how intimately the singer knows the object of her affection, and how much that knowledge has deepened her feelings for him. The fact that "just to see him smile" makes her life "worthwhile" underscores the depth of the singer's devotion. She promises to "be good to him" and "bring love to him," suggesting that her love for him is not only passionate but also compassionate.

However, the lyrics also hint at the singer's frustration and sadness that her love is not yet reciprocated. The lines "why can't he see / how blind can he be?" convey her confusion and despair at the fact that the man she loves does not seem to realize how much she cares for him. But despite this, she remains hopeful that "someday he will see / that he was meant for me." The song is a poignant tribute to the power of love, and the way it can transform one's life.

Line by Line Meaning

To know, know, know him
The more you know him, the more you love him

Is to love, love, love him
Knowing him just makes you love him more and more

Just to see him smile
Seeing him happy brings so much joy to your life

Makes my life worthwhile
Seeing him happy gives your life a purpose

I'll be good to him
I promise to treat him well

I'll bring love to him
I will give him all the love I have to offer

Everyone says there'll come a day
People believe that someday, we'll be together

When I'll walk alongside of him
We will walk together and never be apart

Why can't he see
Why doesn't he understand how much I care for him?

How blind can he be?
It's frustrating that he doesn't see my love for him

Someday he will see
I believe that one day he will realize how much I love him