How Do You Know
My Morning Jacket Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

who closed the window?
who threw the cake?
1,2,3,4 things id rather not take.
how do you know?
(i know cause i've got that old time feeling)
how do you know?
(i know that the architect designed the ceiling.)
who fanned the fire that burned down the lake?
1,2,3,4 things i cannot forget.
so warm the gaze, knees start to shake.
1,2,3,4 things i cannot forget.




how do you know?
i know cause i've got that old time feeling

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to My Morning Jacket's song "How Do You Know" are cryptic and open to interpretation. The repeating phrase "how do you know?" seems to refer to a deep sense of intuition or nostalgia. The line "I know cause I've got that old time feeling" suggests that the singer is drawing on some kind of inner wisdom, perhaps connected to memories or emotions from their past.


The specific references to the closed window, thrown cake, and burned lake are intriguing but not immediately clear. It's possible that these are metaphorical or symbolic elements, representing events or emotions that the singer is struggling to process. The repeated refrain of "1,2,3,4 things" implies that there are a limited number of these crucial memories or experiences, though we are not given more detail about what they actually represent.


The final line, "so warm the gaze, knees start to shake," is interesting because it suggests a physical reaction to these memories or feelings. The singer seems to be overwhelmed by their own emotional intensity, suggesting that these "old time feelings" are not necessarily pleasant or easy to deal with.


Overall, "How Do You Know" is a mysterious and enigmatic song that encourages the listener to explore their own emotional depths and tap into their inner intuition.


Line by Line Meaning

who closed the window?
Asking who is responsible for shutting the window


who threw the cake?
Inquiring about the person who threw the cake


1,2,3,4 things id rather not take.
Listing a few things the singer would prefer to avoid


how do you know?
Asking for the source of the other person's information


(i know cause i've got that old time feeling)
The artist trusts their intuition or gut feeling


how do you know?
Repeating the question to emphasize the importance of the answer


(i know that the architect designed the ceiling.)
The singer has specific knowledge about the source or creation of something


who fanned the fire that burned down the lake?
Questioning the person responsible for starting the fire that burned the lake


1,2,3,4 things i cannot forget.
Listing a few things that are memorable or unforgettable


so warm the gaze, knees start to shake.
Describing the physical reaction to an attractive or pleasant sight


1,2,3,4 things i cannot forget.
Repeating the list of unforgettable things


how do you know?
Asking again for the source of information


i know cause i've got that old time feeling
Repeating the idea that the singer trusts their intuition or past experiences to know the truth




Contributed by Jordyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Dom Delore

yes, crank up , deep breaths and just relax

Connor C

Awesome.

Cody Carpenter

Better quality plz love you

More Versions