Know Better
LAX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, (haha) game's on baby
Uh huh
I know you're saying all these crazy things to make me stay
And I was pretendin' I was leavin'
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
VERSE 1
It's 3 in the morning, so why you keep hitting me?
You're out of your mind, girl you must be kidding me
Calling me like it's a thing to do
Tricking me with the same excuse
Said your new shades was over my house
Please, it's dark out, why you need them right now?
VERSE 2
Telling me to bring your food and just smile
But who eats salad in the middle of the night?
Alright, maybe I just missed you a little too
I might even smile about the crazy things you do
But I'm crazy too, cause I'm just so into you
Oh, oh
Even though we've spent time alone (uh huh)
It always breaks my heart when it's time to go, I know
I know you wanna keep me here
But I'll be gone for a minute
I'll be back I swear
PRE-HOOK
The rain falls down when you walk away
Please don't tell me that you're leavin'
I know the only way that you're gonna stay with me
Is if I make up a really good reason
(You crazy)
CHORUS
But I know better
I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
But that don't make it no better
VERSE 3
Another day, another show
Goin' on the road cause a brother's gotta roll
But here we go again, there goes my phone again (Hello?)
You callin' me, telling me you want me home again (What?)
Sayin' you broke down with a flat tire (I did!)
Next minute, your house is on fire (It was!)
It ain't like that, I ain't gonna fight back
I'm trying to make cash so we're goin' on the right track
VERSE 4
I think somebody's on my roof tryin' to break in
Where? Who you think you fakin'? (Haha)
It's cause I gotta leave again
You cry without no reason
And I'm through believin' it
Even though we've spent time alone
It always breaks my heart when it's time to go, I know
And you know I'm sincere and loyal
I'll be back soon, sincerely yours
PRE-HOOK
The rain falls down when you walk away
Please don't tell me that you're leavin'
I know the only way that you're gonna stay with me
Is if I make up a really good reason (What you tellin' me?)
CHORUS
But I know better
I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
But that don't make it no better
VERSE 5
Look, I saw another woman when we first got together
I told you that I would be down for what ever (that's right)
Why you worryin' like you do?
Cause you know I'm just makin' my way back to you
You know
Don't, don't, don't matter
I like this
I like you too
I like this
Talk to me
PRE-HOOK
The rain falls down when you walk away
(Okay I'm gone)
Please don't tell me that you're leavin'
(What?) (Nah, I'm just playin')
I know the only way that you're gonna stay with me
(That ain't funny!)
Is if I make up a really good reason
CHORUS
But I know better
I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
But that don't make it no better
CHORUS
I know better
I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
But that don't make it no better
VERSE 6
See you tryin' to play me like a video game
Well, I'm about to hit reset then
This game's up (yeah right)
What I say babe, you always leave me waiting
OUTERLUDE
I know better, I don't know better
I know better, I don't know better
The song "Know Better" by LAX is a conversation between two people in a tumultuous relationship. The singer of the song discusses how his partner is always trying to make him stay, even when he has to go, but he knows better than to give in to her pleas. Despite his knowledge, he also acknowledges that it doesn't make his feelings or their relationship any better. In the first verse, he talks about how she keeps calling him late at night for silly reasons, and in the second verse, he talks about how his job keeps him away from her, but she always finds a way to keep him stuck to her.
The pre-hook talks about how the only way she will stay with him is if he comes up with a really good reason why he can't leave. The chorus repeats the idea that he knows better, but it doesn't change the fact that their relationship is tumultuous. The fifth verse talks about how he was with another woman when he first got together with his current partner, but he is making his way back to her now. Finally, the last verse ends the conversation by stating that the game is up, and he knows better than to play along anymore.
Overall, the song touches on themes of love, loyalty, and the complications that can arise in relationships. The singer recognizes that his partner's behavior is sometimes unreasonable, but he is still deeply connected to her, even if he knows better.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, (haha) game's on baby
Starting the conversation by equating the situation with a game
Uh huh
Affirming the other person's statement
I know you're saying all these crazy things to make me stay
Recognizing the other person's efforts to keep them around through lies and deceit
And I was pretendin' I was leavin'
Acknowledging that they were lying to the other person about leaving the situation
It's 3 in the morning, so why you keep hitting me?
Questioning the other person's intentions for contacting at such a late hour
You're out of your mind, girl you must be kidding me
Expressing disbelief and confusion at the other person's behavior
Calling me like it's a thing to do
Commenting on the other person's casual attitude towards contacting for trivial matters
Tricking me with the same excuse
Noticing the other person's pattern of using the same excuse to reach out
Said your new shades was over my house
Recalling the other person's previous lie to justify contact
Please, it's dark out, why you need them right now?
Lamenting the other person's flimsy reasoning for lying once more
Telling me to bring your food and just smile
Describing the other person's request for delivery of food in a manipulative tone
But who eats salad in the middle of the night?
Questioning the other person's choice of food during an odd hour
Alright, maybe I just missed you a little too
Admitting a fondness for the other person despite their behavior
I might even smile about the crazy things you do
Acknowledging enjoyment of the other person's wild ways
But I'm crazy too, cause I'm just so into you
Admitting to being infatuated with the other person to a degree of irrationality
Even though we've spent time alone (uh huh)
Acknowledging a history of spending time together in private
It always breaks my heart when it's time to go, I know
Expressing sadness at leaving the other person behind
I know you wanna keep me here
Recognizing the other person's desire to keep them around
But I'll be gone for a minute
Stating a temporary departure
I'll be back I swear
Promising a return in the future
The rain falls down when you walk away
Using weather as a metaphor for sadness when the other person departs
Please don't tell me that you're leavin'
Asking the other person not to announce a departure
I know the only way that you're gonna stay with me
Recognizing the other person's conditions for remaining together
Is if I make up a really good reason
Knowing that they must provide a valid excuse
Another day, another show
Referring to life on the road as a performer
Goin' on the road cause a brother's gotta roll
Explaining the necessity of going on tour
But here we go again, there goes my phone again (Hello?)
Experiencing yet another call from the other person
You callin' me, telling me you want me home again (What?)
Being harassed for attention once more
Sayin' you broke down with a flat tire (I did!)
Lying to elicit guilt and prompt action
Next minute, your house is on fire (It was!)
Using hyperbole and fabrication to elicit a reaction
It ain't like that, I ain't gonna fight back
Denying conflict despite the other person's provocation
I'm trying to make cash so we're goin' on the right track
Highlighting the importance of making money as a priority
I think somebody's on my roof tryin' to break in
Mentioning an attempt at being robbed to elicit sympathy or concern
Where? Who you think you fakin'? (Haha)
Recognizing a lie to cover up their true intentions
It's cause I gotta leave again
Explaining the root of the other person's behavior is the singer's constant departure
You cry without no reason
Commenting on the other person's emotional vulnerability
And I'm through believin' it
Becoming disillusioned with the other person's acting
See you tryin' to play me like a video game
Comparing the other person's attitude to playing a game
Well, I'm about to hit reset then
Implying that the singer is done with the game being played
This game's up (yeah right)
Asserting that the other person's tactics are no longer going to work
I know better, I don't know better
Continuing to acknowledge their own awareness of the situation despite the other person's efforts
Contributed by Jayden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.