Some artists undergo reinventions. What Nathaniel Rateliff accomplishes on his first LP with the Night Sweats — transforming himself from folk troubadour to funky soul bandleader — is a revelation. Rateliff comes on like Van Morrison fronting Booker T. & the MG's, reviving the glory days of the Stax label.
BABE I KNOW
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Lyrics
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Like the sun shines on the coast
Like a weathered, torn, once sturdy barn
Used to give you shelter and warmth
It′s clear, I can see
The dry grass at my feet
As I wait to go, you'd come home, just say
Babe I know
Baby I know
The course has drifted here
As we swim to land, mouths full of the sand, just say
"Baby I know"
I′m all tired and my throat's so dry
I feel I'm barely holding on
I′m gonna sit around here with this abscessed fear and say
"Baby I know"
Now there′s something that I want that I'll never be
Burned out full of love
Now sometimes I lay here half awake and say
"Baby I know"
Now sometimes I lay here half awake and say
"Baby I know"
In "Babe I Know" by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, the lyrics create a metaphorical landscape of emotional turmoil and self-awareness. The singer acknowledges that there is a persistent and all-encompassing feeling that surrounds them, much like the way the sun shines on the coast. This metaphor highlights the constant presence of this feeling, suggesting that it cannot be ignored or escaped.
The reference to a "weathered, torn, once sturdy barn" reflects the singer's understanding that this feeling used to provide them with shelter and warmth. It implies that they once found solace in this emotion but now it has become worn and damaged, no longer able to offer the same level of comfort it once did. This suggests that the singer is grappling with a sense of disillusionment or disappointment.
Despite this realization, the singer acknowledges that they can still see the truth of their situation. Looking at the "dry grass at [their] feet," they understand that the circumstances are not ideal, and they are waiting for a resolution or change. They long for their partner to come home and acknowledge this truth, using the phrase "Baby I know" to signal a desire for understanding and validation.
The repeated refrain of "Baby I know" highlights the singer's longing for connection and reassurance. They recognize that the relationship has drifted off course, and they find themselves swimming in uncertainty, with mouths full of sand. By urging their partner to acknowledge their shared reality and understanding, the singer hopes to find some stability and reassurance in the face of their collective struggles.
The final verse introduces a sense of personal exhaustion and a feeling of hopelessness. The singer expresses weariness and a dry throat, indicating physical and emotional fatigue. They convey a sense of resignation, stating that they will continue to stay in their current state of distress. Despite their exhaustion and fears, the singer still finds comfort in acknowledging the truth, even if it can't change their circumstances.
In the concluding lines, the singer reveals an unattainable desire. They admit that there is something they want, but will never achieve - they long to be "burned out full of love." This suggests a yearning for an intense and passionate connection, which has the potential to consume them entirely. However, they also acknowledge the reality of their situation, sometimes lying awake in a half-conscious state, expressing their understanding once again with the phrase "Baby I know." This could indicate a resigned acceptance of their current circumstances and a recognition that they cannot force the fulfillment of their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Babe I know it swirls around me
I am fully aware that this feeling overwhelms and consumes me
Like the sun shines on the coast
It's as constant and radiant as the sun illuminating the coastline
Like a weathered, torn, once sturdy barn
Similar to an old, damaged barn that was once strong and provided protection
Used to give you shelter and warmth
I used to provide you with a safe place and affection
It's clear, I can see
I have a clear understanding and perception
The dry grass at my feet
The barren and desolate surroundings I find myself in
As I wait to go, you'd come home, just say
I long for your return, hoping you would utter the words
'Baby I know'
'I understand and acknowledge'
Babe I know
My love, I am aware
Baby I know
Darling, I understand
The course has drifted here
Our relationship has veered off its intended path
As we swim to land, mouths full of the sand, just say
Despite the challenges we face, urge me to keep going
'Baby I know'
'I understand and acknowledge'
I'm all tired and my throat's so dry
I am exhausted and emotionally drained
I feel I'm barely holding on
I sense that my grip on the situation is slipping
I'm gonna sit around here with this abscessed fear and say
I will linger in this state of anxiety and confess
'Baby I know'
'I understand and acknowledge'
Now there's something that I want that I'll never be
I deeply desire something I can never attain
Burned out full of love
Overwhelmed by love, yet emotionally exhausted
Now sometimes I lay here half awake and say
Occasionally, in a drowsy state, I admit
'Baby I know'
'I understand and acknowledge'
Now sometimes I lay here half awake and say
At times, in a semi-conscious state, I confess
'Baby I know'
'I understand and acknowledge'
Writer(s): Nathaniel David Rateliff
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.