Everybody Know
Leonard Cohen Lyrics


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Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long-stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah, give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah, when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows

And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows





Everybody knows

Overall Meaning

Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows" is a song about the perennial issues that afflict humanity such as relationships, politics, corruption, and existentialism. The title suggests that there is a shared consciousness about life's hardships and disappointments, and these are almost impossible to avoid. The song seems to suggest that the world is a broken place, and everybody knows this fact, but there is little we can do to change it. The opening lyrics explain that the dice are loaded, meaning that success is not always based on merit, but rather one's circumstances. The rich get richer, the poor stay poor, and the good guys lose. The chorus declares that this is how things are and that everybody knows it.


The song also touches on the themes of mortality and betrayal, as seen in the line "Like their father or their dog just died," suggesting the universality of grieving. In the second verse, the focus shifts to interpersonal relationships. The captain of the boat is incompetent, leading to the collective feeling of sinking, and people yearn for meaning from seemingly insignificant things like a box of chocolates or a long-stem rose. The third verse discusses love and infidelity. The singer acknowledges the lover's faithfulness but alludes to moments of indiscretion. The song's final section portrays societal problems such as racism, discrimination, and economic inequality. As the song concludes, the chorus repeats, and we are reminded that even though the world is broken, we all understand how it works.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everyone knows that things are not fair and that some people have an advantage.


Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everyone hopes for the odds to be in their favor.


Everybody knows the war is over
Everyone knows that the conflict has ended.


Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everyone is aware that the side with the moral high ground lost.


Everybody knows the fight was fixed
Everyone knows that the outcome of the conflict was predetermined.


The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
The socio-economic gap between the poor and the rich continues to widen.


That's how it goes
This is how the world operates.


Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everyone knows that the situation is inherently precarious.


Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everyone is aware of the dishonesty of those in charge.


Everybody got this broken feeling
People experience a sense of disillusionment and sadness.


Like their father or their dog just died
The feeling of loss is comparable to the death of a loved one.


Everybody talking to their pockets
People are concerned with their financial well-being.


Everybody wants a box of chocolates
People desire simple pleasures and joys.


And a long-stem rose
Symbolizing something beautiful and long-lasting.


Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everyone knows that the love between two individuals is real and genuine.


Everybody knows that you really do
Everyone acknowledges the authenticity of their love.


Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Everyone is aware of the individual's fidelity in the relationship.


Ah, give or take a night or two
There may have been some room for indiscretion or mistake, but nothing significant.


Everybody knows you've been discreet
People recognize the individual's ability to keep secrets and maintain confidentiality.


But there were so many people you just had to meet
Although discreet, the individual was not immune to temptation or curiosity.


Without your clothes
Suggesting physical intimacy or nudity.


And everybody knows
Everyone is aware of the individual's indiscretions and secrets.


That's how it goes
This is how relationships and love affairs function.


Everybody knows, everybody knows
Reiterating the idea that these facts and truths are universally acknowledged.


That's how it goes
This is how the world operates.


Everybody knows that it's now or never
Everyone is aware of the urgency and importance of the situation.


Everybody knows that it's me or you
Everyone is aware that one of us will come out on top, and the other will lose.


And everybody knows that you live forever
Everyone knows that your legacy and memory will continue to exist even after your physical death.


Ah, when you've done a line or two
Playing with the double meaning of 'line', suggesting drug use or significant accomplishments.


Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Everyone acknowledges that the arrangement or agreement is corrupt or unethical.


Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
Referencing the enduring legacy of racism and inequality in America.


For your ribbons and bows
Suggesting that the superficialities and pleasures of the privileged come at the expense of others.


And everybody knows
Everyone is aware of the injustice and unfairness of this situation.


And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everyone is aware that a looming disaster or catastrophe is on the horizon.


Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everyone acknowledges that the situation is rapidly approaching.


Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Referencing the idealized, pure, and simplistic notion of humanity.


Are just a shining artifact of the past
Implying that this idealized and pure notion of humanity is long gone and a distant memory.


Everybody knows the scene is dead
Everyone acknowledges that a particular era, culture or way of life is gone and cannot be revived.


But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
Suggesting that death is inevitable and approaching, and that we will eventually run out of time.


That will disclose
Revealing or uncovering the truth of our existence.


What everybody knows
Reiterating that these truths and realities are universally acknowledged.


Everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everyone is aware that you are struggling or facing difficulties.


Everybody knows what you've been through
Everyone acknowledges the hardships and challenges you have endured.


From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
Referencing the intense suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.


To the beach of Malibu
Referencing the triviality and superficiality of modern society.


Everybody knows it's coming apart
Everyone acknowledges that things are falling apart or unraveling.


Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Encouraging a final reflection or examination of one's faith or convictions.


Before it blows
Before everything is destroyed or lost forever.


Everybody knows
Reiterating the universality of these acknowledged truths and realities.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Cohen, Sharon Robinson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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