Lyrically, “I know it won’t work” is about wanting to be with someone again, after already going through a bad experience with them, and knowing it won’t work, but still wanting to do it.
On Gracie’s website, where the link was to pre-save/pre-add the album was, it said this title.
“I Know It Won’t Work” hurt to write. “Best” hurt to write. And “Fault Line.”
The thing with all these songs is that they all were written so quickly. The ease at which a lot of the words came out was the painful part, because a lot of what was said in the songs wasn’t said directly to the person they’re about.
I have no idea how anyone will receive the songs, I also do worry about some people thinking a song is about them when it isn’t. I don’t know how to navigate my personal life and – lucky-enough – job being intertwined so seriously yet. How do you do that?“
– via Billboard
I know it won't work
Gracie Abrams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heard you keep the extra closet empty
In case this year
I come back and stay throughout my twenties
What if I won't?
How am I supposed to put that gently?
And down the road
You will love me until you resent meMm, mm, mm
I've had the thought
Tried to work it out through anxious pacing
What if I'm not
Worth the time and breath I know you're saving?
But it's a lot
All the shine of half a decade fading
The whole facade
Seemed to fall apart, it's complicated
Mm, mm, hmm-mm
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know it won't work like that
I'll open up
I'm thinking everything you wish I wasn't
The call was tough
So won't you stop
Holding out for me when I don't want it?
Just brush me off
'Cause I'm your ghost right now, your house is haunted
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
(Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah) oh, oh
I know it won't work like that, huh?
(Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah) oh, oh, oh
I know it won't work like that, huh?
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
The song "I know it won't work" by Gracie Abrams is about the struggle of moving on from someone you care about, but know is not right for you. The song starts with the singer leaving someone who still keeps an extra closet for them, showing that they are still holding on to the hope that they will come back. However, the singer knows that it's not going to work out between them and feels guilty about it. They express their worthlessness and doubts about themselves, but also feel conflicted because they want their ex-partner back.
The chorus of the song shows the inner conflicts of the singer, as they want to walk away but still care about their ex-partner. They urge their partner to move on and try to forget about them, but at the same time, they keep coming back. The final verse of the song takes a slight turn of the narrative as the singer opens up and tells their partner to move on and that they're better off without them. They know that there's no point in holding out hope because they have already moved on.
Overall, "I know it won't work" is a poignant and emotional song about the complexities of love and relationships. It shows how difficult it can be to let go of someone you care about, even when you know that it's not meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
I left you here
I abandoned you and now I regret it
Heard you keep the extra closet empty
I'm aware of the space you left for me, but I'm not sure if I'll return or not
In case this year
I don't know if I'll come back this year or not
I come back and stay throughout my twenties
If I do come back, it might be for a long time
What if I won't?
What if I can't give you what you want?
How am I supposed to put that gently?
I don't want to hurt you, but I don't know how to say it without causing pain
And down the road
In the future
You will love me until you resent me
You'll love me until I disappoint you one too many times
I've had the thought
I've been thinking
Tried to work it out through anxious pacing
I've been anxious and restless, trying to figure out my feelings
What if I'm not
What if I'm not good enough for you?
Worth the time and breath I know you're saving?
Am I worth the effort you're putting into waiting for me?
But it's a lot
It's a big weight on my shoulders
All the shine of half a decade fading
The bright, happy memories of our past are starting to fade
The whole facade
Our relationship was built on something that wasn't real
Seemed to fall apart, it's complicated
Our relationship is complex and difficult to navigate
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I feel like you're not listening to me and it makes me want to leave
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
It pains me to see that we're not on the same page
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I have conflicting feelings about you
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know our relationship won't be the same again
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
If you could move on and let me go, it would make things easier for both of us
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
Even though we've tried to move on, we're still connected in some way
I'll open up
I'll be honest with you
I'm thinking everything you wish I wasn't
There are things on my mind that I know you don't want to hear
The call was tough
Breaking things off was difficult for both of us
But you're better off, I'm being honest
I know it's for the best that we're not together
So won't you stop
Please stop holding onto hope that we'll get back together
Holding out for me when I don't want it?
Why are you waiting when I've already moved on?
Just brush me off
Don't hold onto me anymore
'Cause I'm your ghost right now, your house is haunted
Even though I'm gone, I'm still haunting you and holding you back
I know it won't work like that
Our relationship won't be able to go back to the way it was
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Dessner, Gracie Madigan Abrams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@catherinebalquin4226
Lyrics
I left you here
Heard you keep the extra closet empty
In case this year
I come back and stay throughout my twenties
What if I won't?
How am I supposed to put that gently?
And down the road
You will love me until you resent me
I've had the thought
Tried to work it out through anxious pacing
What if I'm not
Worth the time and breath I know you're saving?
But it's a lot
All the shine of half a decade fading
The whole facade
Seemed to fall apart, it's complicated
And part of me wants to walk away till you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know it won't work like that
I'll open up
I'm thinking everything you wish I wasn't
The call was tough
But you're better off, I'm being honest
So won't you stop
Holding out for me when I don't want it
Just brush me off
'Cause I'm your ghost right now, your house is haunted
And part of me wants to walk away till you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know it won't work like that, huh?
And part of me wants to walk away till you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
@daedae6291
I left you here
Heard you keep the extra closet empty
In case this year
I come back and stay throughout my twenties
What if I won't?
How am I supposed to put that gently?
And down the road
You will love me until you resent me
Mm, mm, mm
I've had the thought
Tried to work it out through anxious pacing
What if I'm not
Worth the time and breath I know you're saving?
But it's a lot
All the shine of half a decade fading
The whole facade
Seemed to fall apart, it's complicated
Mm, mm, hmm-mm
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
I know it won't work like that
I'll open up
I'm thinking everything you wish I wasn't
The call was tough
But you're better off, I'm being honest
So won't you stop
Holding out for me when I don't want it?
Just brush me off
'Cause I'm your ghost right now, your house is haunted
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
oh, oh
I know it won't work like that, huh?
(Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah) oh, oh, oh
I know it won't work like that, huh?
And part of me wants to walk away 'til you really listen
I hate to look at your face and know that we're feeling different
'Cause part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
Why won't you try moving on for once? That might make it easy
I know we cut all the ties but you're never really leaving
And part of me wants you back, but
I know it won't work like that, huh?
@anchorz0ne
the way the video shows her head moving more when she’s facing the wall then smiles when she finally faces directly to the camera feels like she’s actually anxious and feel regret but ofc nobody sees that. it also seems like she was trying to wipe her tears. bc no matter how hard things get, the only face she shows to everyone is her positive side.
@sabrinellelaraba9622
😊😊😊
@luna_4568
Gracie is one of my favorite artists ...she just understands us more than we understand ourselves!
@strawb3rryoo471
This is so true
@evelynrose4544
Fact
@alyssanero8886
0:54
@shamsabrahams1243
No lies
@balung
Shes just another singer, she doesn't know me.
@tatianavashchenko2256
The moments when she looks at the camera and smiles make me feel like she is the older sis speaking with her eyes "i know what you're going through. Been there. It is okay. It is going to be better". Made me feel like I am not alone. That someone totaly gets me and broadcasts the thought that "it is going to be better". This song broke me and pulled me back together at the worst moment. Thank you for that
@imsierrayk
01:33 Gracie Abrams expresses the complexities and doubts in a relationship.
02:35 The speaker recognizes that they still have feelings for someone, but they understand that getting back together won't work.
03:37 The speaker is torn between wanting to move on and wanting their ex back.
04:02 The speaker acknowledges a desire to have the person back, but knows it won't work.