Someone You Should Know
Lisa Loeb Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Who do you think you are?
You're talking so loud
You bury the sound
Of your heart that's singing out

And where do you want to be?
On top of the world
But you're just a girl
Who forgot what it's like to dream

Leave everything behind
But you're so tired
One day you might open up your eyes and find

What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know

You try to hide between the lines
Of a story never told
But I've seen you run away
You're afraid of the fall
The weight of it all is too much

But you might change your mind
If you'd stand up one day
You might open up your eyes and find

What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da
La da da da

How do you keep it up?
It's all just a front
A dangerous stunt
You're gonna come down soon enough

Open up your eyes
Don't be scared
You might find you had it all the time

What you've got is what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
What you tried so hard to hide
It was there between the lines
Of the story never told
Of someone you should know

What you've got is what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know
What you've got is what you wanted




What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know

Overall Meaning

The core message of this song is covered in its chorus - the idea that people often chase after what they think they want and ignore what they really need. The lyrics are phrased in such a way as to suggest that this tendency is particularly prevalent in women, who are too easily distracted from their true desires. The singer is encouraging the listener to be brave, to face up to their troubles, and to focus more closely on what they need as opposed to what they think they should have.


The song is a gentle, uplifting call to bravery and self-care. It focuses on the idea that the listener is not alone, that life is hard for everyone, but that with a little bravery and a little focus, things can get better. It encourages the listener to be true to themselves, to face up to their fears, and to find the happiness that they deserve.


Line by Line Meaning

Who do you think you are?
Challenging the listener to consider their own identity and how they present themselves to the world.


You're talking so loud
Your outward confidence and bravado is overriding your true feelings and desires.


You bury the sound
You're suppressing the voice inside you that wants to be heard.


Of your heart that's singing out
Your true feelings and passions are being drowned out by your need to impress others.


And where do you want to be?
Asking the listener to consider their goals and aspirations.


On top of the world
The desire to achieve great success and recognition.


But you're just a girl
Regardless of gender, there's a sense of being underestimated or overlooked.


Who forgot what it's like to dream
Somewhere along the way, you lost sight of your true passions and desires.


Leave everything behind
The need to escape and start fresh.


But you're so tired
The emotional exhaustion that comes with chasing after something that may never come.


One day you might open up your eyes and find
Encouraging the idea that it's never too late to make a change or discover something new.


What you've got isn't what you wanted
You may have success or possessions, but it's not bringing you the joy and fulfillment you thought it would.


What you need just happens to be
The true source of happiness or contentment might be something unexpected.


Someone you should know
A person or opportunity that could change your life for the better.


You try to hide between the lines
Attempting to conceal or play down your true thoughts and feelings.


Of a story never told
The parts of yourself that you've kept hidden from the world.


But I've seen you run away
Even if you've been avoiding your true desires, it's not going unnoticed by others.


You're afraid of the fall
Fear of failure or disappointment is holding you back.


The weight of it all is too much
The burden of trying to live up to certain expectations is overwhelming.


But you might change your mind
Encouraging the listener to reconsider their choices and actions.


If you'd stand up one day
Taking action and making a change can be a scary choice, but it's worth it.


La da da da
Nonsensical filler lyrics without significant meaning.


How do you keep it up?
Acknowledging the effort and energy it takes to maintain a facade of success or happiness.


It's all just a front
Admitting that the image you present to the world may be false or exaggerated.


A dangerous stunt
Attempting to deceive others or yourself can have serious consequences.


You're gonna come down soon enough
Eventually, the truth will catch up to you and you'll have to confront it.


Open up your eyes
A call to be more aware of your surroundings and inner workings.


Don't be scared
Fear can hold you back from reaching your full potential.


You might find you had it all the time
Sometimes the answer or solution was right in front of you all along.


What you've got is what you wanted
Finding contentment and satisfaction in what you have, rather than always striving for more.


What you tried so hard to hide
Acknowledging the parts of yourself that you've tried to cover up or suppress.


It was there between the lines
The truth or solution was often hinted at or disguised in other ways.


Of someone you should know
A person or opportunity that could change your life for the better.


Someone you should know
Finding someone or something that can guide you to a better future.




Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAVE RICHARD BASSETT, LISA A. LOEB

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

Budi Rachman

Who do you think you are?
You're talking so loud
You bury the sound
Of your heart that's singing out

And where do you want to be?
On the top of your world
But you're just a girl
Who forgot what it's like to dream

You leave everything behind
But you're so tired one day
You might open up your eyes and find

What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
What you've got what you always wanted
What you need just happens to be

Someone you should know
You try to hide between the lines
Of a story never told

I've seen you run away
You're afraid of the fall
The weight of it all is too much

But you might change your mind
If you'd stand up one day
You might open up your eyes and find

What you've got isn't what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
What you've got what you always wanted
What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know

La da da da...

How do you keep it up?
It's all just a front
A dangerous stunt
You're gonna come down soon enough

Open up your eyes
Don't be scared
You might find you had it all the time

What you've got is what you wanted
What you need just happens to be

What you tried so hard to hide
It was there between the lines
Of the story never told
Of someone you should know

What you've got is what you wanted
What you need just happens to be
Someone you should know
(repeat)



All comments from YouTube:

Unicorn Corpse

2019, this song got me through my suicidal teen years and now my adult suicidal year. Thanks for that, Lisa

Unicorn Corpse

@Merc SSosa no. Just no.

Merc SSosa

Blessings And Faith In The Precious Name Of JESUS

J. D.

Keep on keeping on.

Nice_to_Micha

This world needs more unicorns! Blessings!

冯在家

Keep going,don't give up so easily.

DisdainfulGlance

Can't believe this song didn't make it to a movie!?!? It's a fantastic song. This video was well done too. C'mon radio stations, get this woman back into a nationwide view...she's too good to keep hidden.

Chris Gordon

LL just knows how to knit a catchy tune together. Talent oozes out of every pore.

Den Morales

Weird that this song isn't included on her greatest hits compile. The melody, the lyrics are just awesome and so is Lisa Loeb.

Arga Arifwangsa

I love Lisa's songs. They're so classy and easy listening.

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