I Know
Jay-Z Lyrics
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And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know (uh, I know what you like)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(I know what you like)
Everything you love
(Baby, you like)
(Baby, you love)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
Uh, she wants that old thing back (uh, uh, uh)
She want those heroin tracks, she likes me
She fiends for me nightly, she leans for me
Morning, she rush for my touch, this is about lust
Cold sweats occur when I'm not with her
My presence is a must, must, must
Bonita Applebum, I gotta put you on
If I didn't when we cuttin', the feeling would be too strong
In any form, I'm giving you sweet dreams
That Sugar Hill, she call me her sweet thing
That Black Rain will take away your pain
Just for one night, baby, take me in vein
Now that feelin' got you trippin'
You don't wanna feel no different
This here lust has got you itchin'
Nose wide open and its' drippin' (eh, eh, eh, eh)
I know what you like, I am your prescription
I'm your physician, I'm your addiction
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know (uh, I know what you like)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(I know what you like)
Everything you love
(Baby, you like)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you like, Hov)
I am so dope
Like Louboutins with the red bottoms
You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em
Like every color Giuseppe's, your guilty pleasure is me
It's so much fun, you shun therapy
Although it never be, the feeling is fleeting
Shopping's like coppin', you constantly need it
I'm never around, you constantly seek it
You'll never be down, I know where your peak is
Nine and a half weeks is better than twelve steps
I keep tryin' to remind you to keep tellin' yourself
Now your conscience is interfering, like "Better yourself"
Like you better get help
But when that medicine's felt
We're back together
Don't ever leave me
Don't ever let 'em tell you that you'll never need me
My China White, 'til we D.O.A
Its Montego forever, baby, lets get away
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know (uh, I know what you like)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(I know what you like)
Everything you love
(Baby, you like)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
How could you leave me?
I thought that you needed me
When the world got too much and you pleaded with me
Who helped you immediately?
How speedy of me
How could you deny me so vehemently?
Now your body is shakin', tryna free it of me
And your soul is in control, tryna lead it from me
And your heart no longer pledge allegiance to me
Damn, I'm missing the days when you needed the D
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know (uh, I know what you like)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(I know what you like)
Everything you love
(Baby, you like)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love)
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
And I know, and I know
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
(Baby, you like, Hov)
(Baby, you love, Hov)
In "I Know," Jay-Z reflects on a past relationship that was built on lust and addiction. He acknowledges that he knows what his partner likes and loves, even though it may not be the healthiest for them. He describes how his partner has a craving for him and how she rushes to him for his touch, indicating that she is addicted to him. Jay-Z admits that he feeds this addiction and describes himself as a prescription, physician, and addiction to his partner. He compares himself to a drug or a guilty pleasure that his partner can't resist, even though shopping and addiction are only fleeting moments.
He then compares himself to designer shoes, stating that just like Louboutins with the red bottoms, his partner has to have him because he is her guilty pleasure. He acknowledges that his partner seeks him constantly, and she can't resist him. He warns her conscience would interfere with her addiction, saying that she needs to better herself. But he hopes that they would be together always, indicating that he would always be there for her even when she denies him again.
Jay-Z himself admitted that "I Know" is not about one particular person, but is rather about the idea of addiction in general. It can apply to romantic relationships, substance abuse, or even shopping addiction. The song's creator, hip hop producer DJ Clue, first presented Jay-Z with the track's programmed beat, with the melody from The Honey Drippers' 1973 recording "Impeach the President" reappeared via a sample.
Line by Line Meaning
And I know, and I know
I am well aware of what you desire
And I know, and I know (uh, I know what you like)
I understand what appeals to you
(I know what you like)
I am familiar with your tastes
Everything you love
All the things that excite you
(Baby, you like)
My darling, I know you fancy
(Baby, you love, Hov)
Baby, you have an affection for me
(Baby, you love)
You cherish me, my love
(Baby, you like, Hov)
My sweet, you desire me
Uh, she wants that old thing back (uh, uh, uh)
She wants to relive our past
She wants those heroin tracks, she likes me
She desires my music which is addictive like heroin
She fiends for me nightly, she leans for me
She has a strong desire for me, she leans towards me
Morning, she rush for my touch, this is about lust
In the morning, she anxiously awaits my touch, indicating that our relationship is all about physical passion
Cold sweats occur when I'm not with her
She experiences anxiety when I'm not around
My presence is a must, must, must
I am indispensable to her
Bonita Applebum, I gotta put you on
I am enamored by her beauty, and I need her in my life
If I didn't when we cuttin', the feeling would be too strong
If I didn't pursue her when we first met, my desire for her would have become overwhelming
In any form, I'm giving you sweet dreams
I am providing her pleasure in every way possible
That Sugar Hill, she call me her sweet thing
I am like the sweet music of Sugar Hill to her
That Black Rain will take away your pain
My love will heal her pain like a black rain
Just for one night, baby, take me in vein
One night with me is like taking a drug, which brings temporary pleasure
Now that feelin' got you trippin'
The sensation of pleasure has her feeling euphoric and overly excited
You don't wanna feel no different
She wants to always feel the way she does with me, and not risk ruining it
This here lust has got you itchin'
Her intense desire for me has left her yearning for more
Nose wide open and its' drippin' (eh, eh, eh, eh)
Her obsession with me has left her vulnerable and deeply affected
I know what you like, I am your prescription
I am fully aware of your pleasures and I provide them to you
I'm your physician, I'm your addiction
I have become her addiction, and she needs me to function
I am so dope
I am irresistible, like a drug
Like Louboutins with the red bottoms
I am desired like the expensive shoes with their signature red soles
You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em
Just like those shoes, she is glad to have me
Like every color Giuseppe's, your guilty pleasure is me
She is not guilty for indulging in her love for me, just like someone indulging in every color of Giuseppe's
It's so much fun, you shun therapy
Our passionate relationship is too thrilling to seek help or therapy for it
Although it never be, the feeling is fleeting
Even though our relationship may not last, the feeling of pleasure is only temporary
Shopping's like coppin', you constantly need it
The pleasure from our relationship is like an addiction, and she craves it like someone addicted to shopping
I'm never around, you constantly seek it
I am not always available, but she still continues to crave me
You'll never be down, I know where your peak is
I understand her desires and will help her achieve the ultimate pleasure
Nine and a half weeks is better than twelve steps
A relationship with me is more satisfying than going through the twelve steps of a recovery program
I keep tryin' to remind you to keep tellin' yourself
I am constantly trying to make her aware of just how much she desires me
Now your conscience is interfering, like "Better yourself"
Her conscience is warning her that this addiction is not healthy, and that she should try and improve herself
Like you better get help
She should consider getting help for her addiction
But when that medicine's felt
However, when she feels the pleasure of our relationship, she is drawn back to me
We're back together
Our addiction to each other reunites us
Don't ever leave me
She doesn't want to ever leave me and lose that pleasure
Don't ever let 'em tell you that you'll never need me
She should never listen to others who tell her she should not need me
My China White, 'til we D.O.A
I will be with her until death
Its Montego forever, baby, lets get away
We can escape from the world and enjoy our addiction together forever in Montego Bay
How could you leave me?
How could she ever consider leaving me and losing that pleasure
I thought that you needed me
I believed she couldn't live without me and our addiction
When the world got too much and you pleaded with me
When the world was overwhelming, she turned to me for comfort and pleasurable distraction
Who helped you immediately?
Who could immediately give her the escape and pleasure she needed as much as I could?
How speedy of me
I was there for her so quickly
How could you deny me so vehemently?
How could she deny our addiction and the pleasure it provides so intensely
Now your body is shakin', tryna free it of me
She is physically trying to rid herself of our addiction, and the pain and pleasure that comes with it
And your soul is in control, tryna lead it from me
Her conscience is urging her to break free from the addiction, and taking control of her desires
And your heart no longer pledge allegiance to me
She no longer promises her love and devotion to our relationship
Damn, I'm missing the days when you needed the D
I miss the days when she was deeply addicted to me and couldn't resist my pleasure-giving abilities
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pharrell Williams, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind