The Want
Kathryn Joseph Lyrics


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Though I did not know it
I could not have shown it
Oh my god, I hardly know you, hear me out
Baby, if I'm able, I will lay a table
Oh my god, I know I know you, hear me out
Well I know I'm all I'm what you had before
And I know I maybe want does want you more like spite does
And though I may love you
I cannot wait for you to come back




And baby and me hear me out

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kathryn Joseph's song "The Want" are filled with raw emotion and longing. The first two lines of the verse seem to suggest that the singer is realizing something new about a relationship, saying "Though I did not know it, I could not have shown it". This line implies that the singer has been hiding something, perhaps not even aware of what it is herself. The second half of the verse is a plea to be heard, with the singer asking the listener to "hear me out" twice.


The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with Joseph's haunting voice singing "Well I know I'm all I'm what you had before, and I know I maybe want does want you more like spite does." This line suggests that the singer may not actually want the person she's singing to be in her life, but rather wants them out of spite or jealousy. However, the following line, "And though I may love you, I cannot wait for you to come back" is the clearest hint yet that there is still some enduring love between the two.


Line by Line Meaning

Though I did not know it
At the time, I was not aware of this fact


I could not have shown it
It was not something that could have been expressed


Oh my god, I hardly know you, hear me out
I am unfamiliar with you but please listen to me


Baby, if I'm able, I will lay a table
If possible, I will prepare a meal for you


Oh my god, I know I know you, hear me out
I may have just met you but please hear me out


Well I know I'm all I'm what you had before
I am aware that I am what you had previously


And I know I maybe want does want you more like spite does
Perhaps I desire you out of spite more than anything else


And though I may love you
Despite having feelings for you


I cannot wait for you to come back
I cannot wait for your return


And baby and me hear me out
Please listen to what I have to say about us




Writer(s): MARCUS MACKAY, KATHRYN JOSEPH

Contributed by Anna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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