Working for the Knife
Mitski Lyrics
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I guess ′cause I wish I was making things too
But I'm working for the knife
I used to think I would tell stories
But nobody cared for the stories I had about
No good guys
I just didn′t know it would go without me
I start the day high and it ends so low
'Cause I'm working for the knife
I used to think I′d be done by 20
Now at 29 the road ahead appears the same
Though maybe at 30 I′ll see a way to change
That I'm living for the knife
I always thought the choice was mine
And I was right but I just chose wrong
I start the day lying and end with the truth
That I′m dying for the knife
Mitski's "Working for the Knife" is a reflective and melancholic song that expresses the struggles of the creative process and the pressure to produce art. The opening lines set the tone for the whole song: "I cry at the start of every movie / I guess 'cause I wish I was making things too / But I'm working for the knife." The singer longs to create, to make something meaningful and beautiful, but instead feels trapped in a cycle of repetition and self-doubt. The "knife" in the title and throughout the song refers to the pressure to create that cuts into the singer's sense of self.
The second verse focuses on the singer's unrealized dreams of becoming a storyteller: "I used to think I would tell stories / But nobody cared for the stories I had about / No good guys." Here, the singer confronts the reality that their perspective may not be what others want or expect. The third verse builds on this theme of feeling left behind: "I always knew the world moves on / I just didn't know it would go without me." The pressures of the world and the industry feel immense, and the singer finds themselves constantly struggling to keep up with the expectations placed on them.
Overall, "Working for the Knife" is a song that many creatives can relate to. The pressure to produce can be overwhelming, and the demands of an industry that values productivity over introspection can stifle even the most inspired artist.
Line by Line Meaning
I cry at the start of every movie
I get emotional at the beginning of every movie because I wish I was creating something meaningful too.
But I'm working for the knife
But I'm stuck in a job where I'm just working to survive and pay bills, without any real purpose or fulfillment.
I used to think I would tell stories
I used to have dreams of creating and sharing stories, but no one seemed to care about the stories I had to tell, especially those that didn't have a happy ending.
But nobody cared for the stories I had about no good guys
But unfortunately, the reality is that people are more interested in hearing stories that have clear heroes and villains, rather than those that are complex and nuanced.
I always knew the world moves on
I always understood that time keeps moving forward, but I never imagined that it would do so without me being able to make a significant impact.
I start the day high and it ends so low
Every morning I begin with hope and optimism, but by the end of the day, I feel drained and unfulfilled due to the lack of purpose in my work.
I used to think I'd be done by 20
I used to have lofty goals of achieving success at a young age, but now that I'm almost 30, I'm still struggling to find my path and direction in life.
Now at 29 the road ahead appears the same
Even though I'm getting older, I still feel stuck and directionless in my life, with no clear path towards something more fulfilling.
Though maybe at 30 I'll see a way to change
I'm still holding onto hope that maybe something will change for me by the time I reach 30, and I'll finally find clarity and purpose in my life.
That I'm living for the knife
But for now, all I can do is continue to work a job I don't find fulfilling and struggle to make ends meet, living my life just to survive rather than thrive.
I always thought the choice was mine
I always believed that I had the power to make my own choices and shape my life according to my dreams, but I've come to realize that it's not always that simple or easy.
And I was right but I just chose wrong
I've made mistakes along the way, choosing paths and opportunities that haven't led me to where I want to be in life, despite my good intentions.
I start the day lying and end with the truth
Every morning I try to convince myself that I'm content with my life and job, but by the end of the day, I'm faced with the truth that I'm not truly happy or fulfilled.
That I'm dying for the knife
This constant struggle to find a purpose or direction is slowly draining me, as I feel like I'm slowly dying inside, working a job that doesn't bring me joy or fulfillment.
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@fatimavenicefajardo3564
I cry at the start of every movie
I guess 'cause I wish I was making things too
But I'm working for the knife
I used to think I would tell stories
But nobody cared for the stories I had about
No good guys
I always knew the world moves on
I just didn't know it would go without me
I start the day high and it ends so low
'Cause I'm working for the knife
I used to think I'd be done by twenty
Now at twenty-nine, the road ahead appears the same
Though maybe at thirty, I'll see a way to change
That I'm living for the knife
I always thought the choice was mine
And I was right, but I just chose wrong
I start the day lying and end with the truth
That I'm dying for the knife
@mitskileaks
Mitski's new album 'The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We', featuring the song "My Love Mine All Mine" is out now. Watch the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx4kLgnFexo
Listen to the album: https://mitski.lnk.to/TLIIASAW
@alguienmasdelmonton711
❤
@renisu6521
I LOVE YOU
@conorwarren2665
Hit me with your car.
@Theher0oftimeIsmyson
I luv youu
@PEGoth
🧛🎌🧛@@conorwarren2665
@DAngeloWallace
She really came back and dropped a whole film scene as a music video... Nobody is doing it like her
@slopez-ey6bh
D'ANGELO AND MITSKI OMG
@yeeoop6774
2 legends are here 🤩
@eudora760
she really is the best