I Don't Know
Ghost Quartet Lyrics
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(Now I don't know)
But I′ve been told
(But I've been told)
That's true of everything I think I know
Everything I think (I know)
(And I don′t know)
But I've been told
(But I′ve been told)
Yes I've been told
I don′t even know how to begin
I don't even know who I am
I′m not here, no-one is here
I stay awake most every night
Waiting for a glimpse to appear
Where's my ghost in the mirror?
I want one too
I've got a thousand one stories
And every single one of them′s a lie
Let me read you a story, let me read you a romance
I will read, you will listen, and this terrible night will pass
When I was a child, I used to play
Play with all the voices in my head
Long, long ago, that′s not me anymore
Now I ride the subway every night
Staring at the game on my phone
Keep my head down, I'm all alone
And I don′t know if this is me at all, or just some ghost of me
That I dreamed up, just to sing myself to sleep
Or someone that I used to be
Or someone that I will be
Or someone that I am, right now
Or someone that I used to be
Or someone that I will be
Or someone that I am, right now
Or someone that I used to be
Or someone that I will be
Or someone that I am, right now
The lyrics of Ghost Quartet's song I Don't Know present a reflection on the brevity and uncertainty of life, and the elusive nature of one's true identity. Through the repetition of the phrase "I don't know", the singer highlights the limitations of their knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world. This uncertainty is further emphasized by the admission that everything they think they know may not be entirely true.
The song's nostalgic and melancholic tone is underscored by the lyrics' allusions to memories and events from the past. The singer struggles to reconcile their current self with the "ghost of me that I dreamed up", wondering whether they are the same person they used to be or someone completely different. As the song progresses, the singer also acknowledges their loneliness, feeling isolated and disconnected in a world where everyone else seems to know who they are and where they belong.
Overall, the song "I Don't Know" is a contemplative meditation on the complexities of identity, the mysteries of existence, and the ways in which we try to make sense of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I don′t know
I am uncertain about everything
But I′ve been told
I have been informed by others
That's true of everything I think I know
Everything I believe may not be true
Everything I think (I know)
My beliefs may be unfounded
And I don′t know
I am still uncertain
But I've been told
I have heard from others
Yes I've been told
I have heard repeatedly
I don′t even know how to begin
I am lost and unsure how to start
I don't even know who I am
My identity is unclear
I′m not here, no-one is here
I feel empty and nonexistent
I stay awake most every night
I have trouble sleeping
Waiting for a glimpse to appear
Hoping for a sign or revelation
Where's my ghost in the mirror?
I wish I had a spirit guide or helper
I want one too
I desire a spirit guide or helper
I've got a thousand one stories
I have many tales to tell
And every single one of them′s a lie
My stories are not entirely truthful
Let me read you a story, let me read you a romance
I want to share a fanciful tale
I will read, you will listen, and this terrible night will pass
Let us distract ourselves from our troubles
When I was a child, I used to play
I was carefree and imaginative as a kid
Play with all the voices in my head
I had a rich inner world
Long, long ago, that′s not me anymore
I have changed over time
Now I ride the subway every night
I have a mundane routine
Staring at the game on my phone
I am easily distracted
Keep my head down, I'm all alone
I isolate myself
And I don′t know if this is me at all, or just some ghost of me
I wonder if I have lost my true identity
That I dreamed up, just to sing myself to sleep
Perhaps I invented a persona for comfort
Or someone that I used to be
I may have changed from my past self
Or someone that I will be
I may become someone different in the future
Or someone that I am, right now
I may not know my current self fully
Or someone that I used to be
I may have changed from my past self
Or someone that I will be
I may become someone different in the future
Or someone that I am, right now
I may not know my current self fully
Or someone that I used to be
I may have changed from my past self
Or someone that I will be
I may become someone different in the future
Or someone that I am, right now
I may not know my current self fully
Writer(s): Dave Malloy
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.