I Don't Know
Lily Allen Lyrics


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I don't know how it even started
I'd always thought that we were cool
But recently there's been a change in your demeanor
You're like those nasty girls from school
Look at you huddled 'round the table there
You're like an argument with witches
As I walk by you can't stop whispering and laughing
You're just a bunch of sad old bitches

I don't care, I've got better things to do
I will not be made to feel like shit by you
There was a time, you don't impress me anymore
Here's your coat love, there's the door

Don't you think it's time we went our separate ways
To put it bluntly, please just get out my face
Yeah you can scream and you can shout until you're blue
I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?

Do you create these situations
'Cause you've got nothing else to do
It's like you've always got to have it in for someone
You and your god forsaken crew
Well girls, I think your days are numbered
And I think you probably know that too
I know it's hard for you to hear, but you should listen
'Cause it's all absolutely true

I don't care, I've got better things to do
I will not be made to feel like shit by you
There was a time, you don't impress me anymore
Here's your coat love, there's the door

Don't you think it's time we went our separate ways
To put it bluntly, please just get out my face
Yeah you can scream and you can shout until you're blue
I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?

I know exactly how you operate
I've seen you do it time and time again
You keep it up until there's something that you want from me
Then you'll decide that we're the best of friends

I don't care, I've got better things to do
I will not be made to feel like shit by you
There was a time, you don't impress me anymore
Here's your coat love, there's the door

Don't you think it's time we went our separate ways
To put it bluntly, please just get out my face
Yeah you can scream and you can shout until you're blue
I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?





I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?

Overall Meaning

"I Don't Know" by Lily Allen is a song that expresses the singer's frustration towards some people who have changed their attitude towards her for no reason. In the first verse, Allen expresses her confusion about the situation, stating that she does not know how or why it started, but she has noticed a change in the group's behavior towards her. She makes a reference to "those nasty girls from school" and how the group reminds her of them.


In the following verses, Allen acknowledges the group's attempts to bring her down and make her feel inferior, but she makes it clear that she will not be affected by their behavior. The lyrics "I don't care, I've got better things to do, I will not be made to feel like shit by you" suggests that Allen is confident in herself and does not need affirmation from others.


The chorus encapsulates the message of the song, which is that Allen is done with the group and wants to go their separate ways. The lyrics "Don't you think it's time we went our separate ways, To put it bluntly, please just get out my face" express Allen's desire for them to leave her alone and move on.


In the final verse, Allen reveals that she is familiar with the group's pattern of behavior, noting that they often come back around once they need something from her. Despite this, Allen remains firm in her decision to distance herself from the group, as seen in the final lyrics "I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?".


Overall, "I Don't Know" is a song about standing up for oneself and recognizing toxic behavior in others. The song expresses an empowering message of self-love and the importance of setting boundaries.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know how it even started
I am unsure how our relationship became unpleasant


I'd always thought that we were cool
I believed we had a good relationship


But recently there's been a change in your demeanor
Lately, your behavior has shifted for the worse


You're like those nasty girls from school
You remind me of bullies from my school days


Look at you huddled 'round the table there
I see you gossiping together like a clique of teenagers


You're like an argument with witches
Dealing with you feels like dealing with supernatural beings who are against me


As I walk by you can't stop whispering and laughing
You can't resist making fun of me when I'm near


You're just a bunch of sad old bitches
You are a group of pathetic, bitter women


I don't care, I've got better things to do
I am not interested in wasting my time and energy on you


I will not be made to feel like shit by you
I refuse to be treated poorly by you


There was a time, you don't impress me anymore
You used to make an impression on me, but not anymore


Here's your coat love, there's the door
It's time for you to leave


Don't you think it's time we went our separate ways
We should end our relationship


To put it bluntly, please just get out my face
Please leave me alone and go away


Yeah you can scream and you can shout until you're blue
You can make a lot of noise, but it won't affect me


I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?
I am not bothered by your behavior and I don't value your opinion


I know exactly how you operate
I am aware of your tactics and how you manipulate situations


I've seen you do it time and time again
I've observed you using these tactics frequently


You keep it up until there's something that you want from me
You continue your behavior until you need something from me


Then you'll decide that we're the best of friends
Once you get what you want, you act friendly towards me


I don't mind babe, who the fuck are you?
I am not bothered by your behavior and I don't value your opinion




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Greg Kurstin, Lily Allen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@hastekulvaati9681

I think this songs works because of the ambiguity. If she was just showing off about her awesome life the song would lose its charm.

I am sure on some level Lily Allen doesn't like the idea of Africans dying so people in the developed world can have cheap diamonds.

But like most of us she isn't exactly losing sleep over it.

I am sure most people feel a bit bad about these things and also a bit bad that they don't feel that bad about it.



It's not right but....



@sarahshaygani7803

I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don't care about clever I don't care about funny
I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

And I'll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
'Cause everyone knows that's how you get famous.

[Pre-chorus:]
I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah I'm on to a winner.

[Chorus:]
I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
And when do you think it will all become clear?
'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Life's about film stars and less about mothers
It's all about fast cars and cussing each other
But it doesn't matter cause I'm packing plastic
And that's what makes my life so fucking fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it's not my fault it's how I'm programmed to function

[Pre-chorus]

[Chorus]

Forget about guns and forget ammunition
'Cause I'm killing them all on my own little mission
Now I'm not a saint but I'm not a sinner
Now everything's cool as long as I'm getting thinner



@estefaniaperezhidalgo545

Lyrics:
I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don't care about clever, I don't care about funny
I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

And I'll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
'Cause everyone knows that's how you get famous
I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah, I'm on to a winner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Life's about film stars and less about mothers
It's all about fast cars and cussing each other
But it doesn't matter 'cause I'm packing plastic
And that's what makes my life so fuckin' fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it's not my fault, it's how I'm programmed to function
I'll look at the sun and I'll look in the mirror
I'm on the right track, yeah, I'm on to a winner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Forget about guns and forget ammunition
'Cause I'm killing them all on my own little mission
Now I'm not a saint but I'm not a sinner
Now everything is cool as long as I'm getting thinner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear
'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear



All comments from YouTube:

@ghostboy3551

Lily Allen was wayy ahead of her time..

@apex1615

In what way was she ahead of her time?

@ghostboy3551

@@apex1615she was ahead of her time in this particular song because everything she mentioned about being famous and social media is happening right now I.e insta models etc.....

@apex1615

like it wasnt happening then. no offense. but she isnt ahead of her time, she is just a very talented singer.

@ghostboy3551

@@apex1615 I guess it was happening but it wasn't so visual as to what it is now, but I agree with you.she is a very talented singer.

@marcirwilcox1160

Yes!!!!!!!!!

75 More Replies...

@Samuel.U

For all you none Brits, "I'll look at The Sun and I'll look in the Mirror" are two British newspapers for anyone who's unaware. One of my favourite lines of the whole song, very clever

@eclipsicallane9179

Oh my gosh all of these years that has been the one line in this song that I didn't think was satirical-- I can't believe that went over my head thank you!

@aredub1847

dont worry, brit culture is such that most internationals will know of these media outlets.

@eclipsicallane9179

Are Dub yeah the funny thing for me is that I am familiar with the sun and the mirror but they are not commonplace enough in my life that it would be something I think of upon hearing those names out of context

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