King Missile is a band that has been led in various incarnations by poet/si… Read Full Bio ↴King Missile is a band that has been led in various incarnations by poet/singer John S. Hall since 1986. Their work, in the group's current configuration, is a type of Performance Art Rock with John S. Hall's spoken word. In their first inception, as King Missile(Dog Fly Religion), the band's sound was a neo-pyschedelic blend of Dada influenced music and occasional spoken word as well as conventional singing. Their music became more accessible with the departure of Dogbowl and the notable addition of former Bongwater guitarist Dave Rick . The group is probably best known for the 1993 radio hit Detachable Penis. They'd achieved a cult following via college radio with their 1986 song "Jesus Was Way Cool". They were an anchor band for the legendary independent label Shimmy Disc. Now known as King Missile III (pronounced "the third"), the group released its ninth album, Royal Lunch, in 2004.

King Missile III 1998 - present

* John S. Hall - vocals: singing and spoken word
* Sasha Forte - bass, violin, guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
* Bradford Reed - pencilina, drums, percussion, synthesizer, backing vocals

Damned if I Know
King Missile Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(shouted)
Damned if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Shit if I know!

Ass if I know!

Tit if I know!

Scumbag if I know!

Shit if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Asshole if I know!

Damned if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Shit if I know!

Ass if I know!

Tit if I know!

Scumbag if I know!

Shit if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Asshole if I know!

(spoken)
What a beautiful sunset tonight. What a breathtaking panorama, a potpourri of sights, sounds, smells, and a whole holy host of other sensations. It's so delightful to be here, in the outside. It's so nice not to be all cooped up like a rat in a cage, like a political prisoner, like the working poor, like the coal miner, like the cloistered nun, like the waitress in the Quality Pie, like the farm boy, like the pig in the pen, or the cow hooked up to the milking machine, or the lamb on line to the slaughterhouse, like the HIV-positive, like the inoperable cancer patients, or the soldiers who have lost their legs, like the homicidal maniac, or the suicidal depressive. Nay, I say nay, this sunset is so beautiful, this moment so sublime, that I could stand here, and watch, and be here, and callously forget all the misery in the world, and be completely and blissfully unaware of all sadness and pain and loss, at least until the sun descends. How is it that nature can be so natural? How is it that it can completely transport one away from reality when in fact it is reality? How can that be?

(shouted)
Damned if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Shit if I know!

Charles Laughton if I know!

Damned if I know!

Fuck if I know!

Shit if I know!

Charles Laughton if I know!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of King Missile's "Damned if I Know" seem to be making a statement about the limits of human knowledge and understanding. The repeated phrases of "damned if I know," "fuck if I know," and so on, suggest a kind of resignation or acceptance of our inability to grasp everything that is going on in the world. The list of things that we don't know covers a wide range, from profanity to the name of a dead actor, and seems to suggest that no matter how much we learn, there will always be more that we don't know.

The spoken section of the song provides an interesting contrast to the shouted refrain. The singer describes a beautiful sunset and the way that it can transport us away from the troubles of the world, but then acknowledges that this is only temporary, and that we cannot truly escape the pain and suffering around us. The contrast between the two sections of the song seems to suggest that while we may not be able to know everything, we can still find moments of beauty and meaning in the world, even if they are fleeting.

Overall, "Damned if I Know" seems to be a commentary on the human condition, and the way that we struggle to make sense of a chaotic and confusing world. The song acknowledges that there are limits to our understanding, but also suggests that there is still value in seeking knowledge and meaning, even if we can never fully grasp them.

Line by Line Meaning

(shouted) Damned if I know!
I have no idea what you are talking about.

Fuck if I know!
I have absolutely no clue about this situation.

Shit if I know!
I am clueless and uneducated about this situation.

Ass if I know!
I have no knowledge or information to offer about this subject matter.

Tit if I know!
I am entirely ignorant and uninformed about this topic.

Scumbag if I know!
I am of no help in this instance and am completely in the dark.

Shit if I know!
I am at a loss and have no understanding of this issue.

Fuck if I know!
I have no idea whatsoever about this problem you are describing.

Asshole if I know!
I have nothing useful to say in relation to this matter.

Damned if I know!
I am completely clueless and devoid of information on this topic.

Fuck if I know!
I am utterly clueless and uninformed about this situation.

Shit if I know!
I have no knowledge or facts about this matter.

Ass if I know!
I cannot provide any insight or knowledge about this issue.

Tit if I know!
I am completely uninformed and ignorant regarding this topic.

Scumbag if I know!
I have no idea about this matter and cannot offer any useful information.

Shit if I know!
I am at a complete loss and lack any knowledge about this subject.

Fuck if I know!
I am entirely clueless and have no information whatsoever to offer.

Asshole if I know!
I have no insight pertaining to this issue and cannot assist with it.

(spoken) What a beautiful sunset tonight. What a breathtaking panorama, a potpourri of sights, sounds, smells, and a whole holy host of other sensations. It's so delightful to be here, in the outside. It's so nice not to be all cooped up like a rat in a cage, like a political prisoner, like the working poor, like the coal miner, like the cloistered nun, like the waitress in the Quality Pie, like the farm boy, like the pig in the pen, or the cow hooked up to the milking machine, or the lamb on line to the slaughterhouse, like the HIV-positive, like the inoperable cancer patients, or the soldiers who have lost their legs, like the homicidal maniac, or the suicidal depressive. Nay, I say nay, this sunset is so beautiful, this moment so sublime, that I could stand here, and watch, and be here, and callously forget all the misery in the world, and be completely and blissfully unaware of all sadness and pain and loss, at least until the sun descends. How is it that nature can be so natural? How is it that it can completely transport one away from reality when in fact it is reality? How can that be?
The sunset is a beautiful and glorious sight that provides a sense of freedom and relief from the struggles of everyday life. It is an enrapturing experience that allows one to be completely consumed by the moment and forget all sources of hardship, if only for a fleeting time. Nature is an unexplainable wonder that possesses the power to transport and captivate people, even if only for a moment.

(shouted) Damned if I know!
I cannot offer an explanation for this.

Fuck if I know!
I have absolutely zero understanding about this matter.

Shit if I know!
I am completely unaware of this topic and cannot provide any understanding of it.

Charles Laughton if I know!
I do not possess any knowledge or information regarding this issue.

Damned if I know!
I am completely clueless and uninformed about this situation.

Fuck if I know!
I have no idea whatsoever regarding this subject matter.

Shit if I know!
I am completely ignorant of this issue and cannot offer any explanation.

Charles Laughton if I know!
I am entirely unaware of this topic and possess no relevant knowledge.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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