Lymon was credited with their first big hit, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, though in the early '90s, a federal judge ruled after a lengthy trial that Lymon hadn't written "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" -- another member of the Teenagers had. Nevertheless, his wise-beyond-his-years vocal and performing abilities not only made the Teenagers a group several notches above the competition but made Lymon the first black teenage pop star. Though only together for a brief 18-month period, Lymon & the Teenagers exerted an enormous influence, spawning several "kid" vocal groups and providing initial inspiration to Berry Gordy to model his entire Motown production approach around Lymon's original vocal style. Inexplicably, the group split into two fractions at the height of their success, and neither had a hit again. Lymon died from a drug overdose at age 25. Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Len Barry, and his principal protégé, Michael Jackson (whose early recordings with the Jackson 5 are virtual re-creations of the early Lymon sound, merely updated) all show the influence of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' groundbreaking work.
I'm Not a Know It All
Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know why the grass is tall.
Don't know why there's morning dew,
I only know that I love you.
I'm not a know-it-all,
Don't know why the raindrops fall.
Don't know what's beyond the blue,
With things that are not of you alone,
I'm not so wise.
And still I could write a book of my own,
When I look in your eyes!
I'm not a know-it-all,
Yet I know I'll run to you,
The very moment that you call.
I love you, know you know it all!
The song "I'm Not a Know It All" by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers is a love song in which the singer is admitting that they may not know everything about the world, but they do know one thing: their love for the person they are addressing. The opening lines "I'm not a know-it-all, Don't know why the grass is tall. Don't know why there's morning dew, I only know that I love you" demonstrate the singer's lack of knowledge about even simple things like why the grass is tall or why there is morning dew. However, the one thing they do know is their deep love for the person they are addressing.
The second verse continues with the singer admitting their lack of knowledge about why raindrops fall or what is beyond the blue. However, the one thing they do know is that they love this person. In the bridge, the singer admits that when it comes to things that are not related to this person, they may not be so wise, but when they look into their eyes, they could write a book of their own. The final verse reiterates the singer's love for this person and their willingness to run to them the very moment they call.
Overall, the song is a declaration of love from someone who may not know everything about the world, but they do know that they love this person with all their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not a know-it-all,
I don't claim to know everything
Don't know why the grass is tall.
I don't have an explanation for every aspect of nature
Don't know why there's morning dew,
I don't understand why certain natural phenomena occur
I only know that I love you.
I am certain of my feelings towards you
Don't know why the raindrops fall.
I cannot explain all of nature's mechanisms
Don't know what's beyond the blue,
I lack full comprehension of the world around me
I only know that I love you.
I am confident of my feelings towards you
With things that are not of you alone,
Regarding matters outside of my relationship with you
I'm not so wise.
I do not possess all the answers
And still I could write a book of my own,
Despite not being knowledgeable on everything, I can still create my own story
When I look in your eyes!
You inspire and provide me with the guidance and knowledge I might lack
I'm not a know-it-all,
I don't have all the solutions
Yet I know I'll run to you,
I am certain that I will seek refuge in you
The very moment that you call.
I am ready to be by your side at all times
I love you, know you know it all!
My love for you is unconditional and unwavering
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BUDDY KAYE, FRED SPIELMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CJOE4INS
I have been listening to Frankie and this song for about 55 years.....and....you know what, I still f-------reakin LOVE IT......thanks Frankie.....
@toniventura4214
GEE! WHAT A MAGNIFICENT FAN OF FRANKIE BLESS YOUR HEART❤ IT IS A BEAUTIFUL SONG . AND THE WORDS ARE SO MEANINGFUL. EVERYTIME I HEAR THIS SONG I CRY MY HEART. I AM FRANKIE "SPECIAL" GIRLFRIEND. I TELL MY LOVE STORIES ABOUT MY FRANKIE ON YOUTUBE 😆 CLICK TONI VENTURA ASTORY BEHIND ASTORY. THANKS FOR SHAREING MY FRIEND . AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU. 🍸
@rljrl
Outstanding voice!! One of a kind. Sad that he left us so young.
@rogervonschleusingen4603
THANK YOU FRANKIE !!
@Guy_de_Lusignan
Merci Doc Gyneco !
@larrybelliard212
It brings out every thing that has to do with emotions & sentiments
What better way to feel that you were alive yesterday & still alive today
I was in Jr high school at the time & Frankie Lymon takes me back to
the best & happiest times of those days.
I must also confess that his voice also brings back only one very sad
day.The day I read in a New York news paper of his passing & how.
Frankie Lymon, wheree ver God has you as long as I live so will you.
@chicaochentera165
Frankie ❤😢
@josielopez5344
Why did they blackball from singing in clubs why hating on Frankie were they afraid ed sweep up the music industry cowards! THEY KILLED HIM with help he would have overcome too much talent Love yu FRANKIE LYMAN ❤
@charlesgalbosr6344
I worked at the Bergen. County Court house and there was a friend of mine who also worked there his name was shoeshine Bobby, he was Frankie Lyman’s cousin,and he was best friends with Dickie Harmon who sang with the DelVikings
@butchiej404
One of Thee most beautiful voices to have ever graced the stage!