A move to Memphis in his late twenties brought a renewed creative energy to Keith, who soon formed the expert bar band the One Four Fives with drummer John Argroves and bassist Mark E. Stuart. The group developed a loyal following in Memphis, and tours opening for acts like Lucero and Jack Oblivian drew yet more attention to Keith's vintage rock sound. In 2011, John Paul Keith & the One Four Fives released the Bruce Watson-produced The Man That Time Forgot on Fat Possum. Memphis Circa 3AM, produced by Roland Janes, arrived from Fat Possum in the fall of 2013.
Also in 2013, Keith paired with double-bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere for their country- and rockabilly-influenced project Motel Mirrors. Over the next few years, he stayed busy touring, and playing live. He also contributed to albums by the Bo-Keys, Rich Minus, and Don Bryant. In 2018, Keith returned with both his fourth solo album, Heart Shaped Shadow, and the full-length debut album from Motel Mirrors, In the Meantime.
I Don't Wanna Know
John Paul Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don’t wanna know
I can’t be with you
Everywhere you go
So whatever you’re doing
With some so-and-so
If you don’t wanna tell me
I don’t wanna know
Well a little bird told me
A story about you
It’s only a rumor
But it may be true
So when you tell a secret
Whisper it real low
Down low
‘Cause if you don’t wanna tell me
I don’t wanna know
Don’t wanna know
You been telling me lies again
Don’t wanna know
It’s a stranger or my best friend
Baby you know this ain’t my
Ain’t my first rodeo
Oh no
And if you don’t wanna tell me
I don’t wanna know
No if you don’t wanna tell me
I don’t wanna know
No I don’t
No if you don’t wanna tell me
I don’t wanna know
I don’t wanna know
You don’t have to tell me baby
I don’t wanna know
I don’t wanna know
In the song "I Don't Wanna Know" by John Paul Keith, the lyrics express a sense of detachment and unwillingness to be involved in someone else's secrets or dishonesty. The singer is stating that if the person they are referring to doesn't want to share their activities or divulge the truth, they don't want to know about it.
The first verse conveys a sense of independence and the singer's unwillingness to be constantly associated with this person. They are telling the person that they can't be in their presence all the time, following them everywhere they go. The lyrics suggest that the person might be involved in something questionable with someone else, and if they don't want to disclose it, the singer doesn't want to be aware of it.
The second verse suggests that there might be rumors or gossip surrounding this person, and while the singer acknowledges that it may just be hearsay, they still emphasize the importance of keeping secrets low-key. This implies that the rumors might have some truth to them. The line "Down low" emphasizes the need for discretion if the person doesn't want to share their secrets. The singer reiterates that if the person chooses not to reveal the truth, they don't want to be informed about it.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I don't wanna know" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's insistence on remaining ignorant of the person's dishonesty. They express frustration and disappointment in the person's continuous lies, mentioning that it doesn't matter if it's a stranger or their closest friend. The line "Baby you know this ain’t my Ain’t my first rodeo" indicates that the singer has dealt with similar situations in the past and is now wary of being deceived again.
The final lines of the song reaffirm the singer's stance of not wanting to be informed of the person's secrets, lying, or deceit. They make it clear that the person doesn't have to confess their actions because the singer simply doesn't want to know. These lyrics ultimately convey a sense of self-protection and a decision to distance oneself from someone who is not honest or transparent.
Line by Line Meaning
Well if you don’t wanna tell me
If you are not willing to share information with me
I don’t wanna know
Then I have no desire to find out
I can’t be with you
I cannot be in a relationship with you
Everywhere you go
If you are keeping things from me
So whatever you’re doing
No matter what actions you are taking
With some so-and-so
With some unspecified person
If you don’t wanna tell me
If you refuse to inform me
I don’t wanna know
Then it is better for me not to know
Well a little bird told me
I heard a rumor
A story about you
Regarding your actions
It’s only a rumor
It may just be gossip
But it may be true
Although it is possible that it is accurate
So when you tell a secret
Therefore, when you reveal confidential information
Whisper it real low
Speak in a hushed and discreet manner
Down low
In a secretive manner
‘Cause if you don’t wanna tell me
Because if you are unwilling to disclose
I don’t wanna know
Then I prefer not to be aware
Don’t wanna know
I do not wish to be informed
You been telling me lies again
You have been deceiving me once more
It’s a stranger or my best friend
It could involve an unfamiliar person or even someone I trust deeply
Baby you know this ain’t my
My dear, you are aware that this is not my
Ain’t my first rodeo
First experience with such situations
Oh no
Oh, I am concerned about this
And if you don’t wanna tell me
Furthermore, if you choose not to disclose anything
I don’t wanna know
Then I do not wish to possess that information
No if you don’t wanna tell me
No, in case you are unwilling to share with me
I don’t wanna know
I would rather remain ignorant
No I don’t
No, I have no interest in knowing
No if you don’t wanna tell me
No, if you refuse to inform me
I don’t wanna know
Then I have no desire to find out
I don’t wanna know
I prefer not to be informed
You don’t have to tell me baby
You are not obliged to disclose, darling
I don’t wanna know
Because I do not wish to be aware
I don’t wanna know
I am not interested in knowing
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: John Paul Keith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind