I Once Knew
Pasek and Paul Lyrics


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I was smoking a roundie
Thank God you found me
All by myself
And then you bounced through the door like nobody else

Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Watching my Japanese TV
With my six string buddy
I was barely tickin'
And then you bounced through the door come alive and kickin'

Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down

You got brains
All the way down
You never changed
I just never got past
The ones you sit on, hey

Do, do, do, do, do

You got brains
All the way down
You've never changed
I just never got past your little rock & roll ass

Hey, shot bolt upright
When you mention the whole night
I was on the mend when (ah)
You let a smile crack
And it all came back

Hey, you, someone I once knew
Hey, you, someone I once knew
Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Do, do, do, do, do
Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Do, do, do, do, do




Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Hey, you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pasek and Paul's song "I Once Knew" tell the story of someone who is smoking alone and playing guitar when a familiar person arrives unexpectedly. The singer addresses this person throughout the song with the line "Hey, you, someone I once knew" and asks them to sit down. The song suggests that this person holds a special place in the singer's heart, as they reminisce about past memories and the way that this person made them feel. The lyrics focus on the idea of reconnecting with someone who has been missing from your life and the powerful emotions that come with that.


The opening line, "I was smoking a roundie/Thank God you found me" refers to smoking a "round" cigarette, and shows how the singer feels grateful to be reunited with this person. The line "You got brains all the way down" suggests that this person is intelligent and impressive, while the repeated line "Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down" creates a sense of urgency and a desire for connection. The line "You've never changed/I just never got past the ones you sit on" is a playful reference to this person's physical appearance, and the way that the singer is still attracted to them. The song ends with the repeated line "Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down," leaving the listener with a sense of longing and nostalgia.


Overall, the lyrics to "I Once Knew" are an evocative tribute to the power of reconnecting with someone from your past. The song tells a story of longing and desire, and the way that memories can hold such a strong grip on our emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

I was smoking a roundie
I was smoking a marijuana cigarette


Thank God you found me
Thank God you showed up to rescue me from my loneliness


All by myself
I was alone without any company


And then you bounced through the door like nobody else
And then you entered the room in a lively and unique way


Hey, you, someone I once knew, sit your butt down
Hello, you, someone I used to know, please take a seat


Watching my Japanese TV
Watching my television set that was made in Japan


With my six string buddy
With my guitar, which is like a friend to me


I was barely tickin'
I was barely surviving or getting by


And then you bounced through the door come alive and kickin'
And then you entered the room with energy and enthusiasm


You got brains
You are intelligent


All the way down
Completely through and through


You never changed
You are the same person as you have always been


I just never got past
I just never moved beyond


The ones you sit on, hey
The buttocks you sit on, hey


Do, do, do, do, do
Nonspecific sounds expressed in the song


You've never changed
You have always been the same person


I just never got past your little rock & roll ass
I just never moved beyond your love for rock & roll music and lifestyle


Hey, shot bolt upright
Hey, sat up suddenly and quickly


When you mention the whole night
When you brought up the memories of that entire evening


I was on the mend when (ah)
I was recovering or healing when (ah)


You let a smile crack
You let a smile appear or surface on your face


And it all came back
And all of the memories and feelings came rushing back




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Paul Westerberg

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

@mrpuffer3215

I onnce knew a woman who tried to keep going
Who made more of life than what she had been dealt
A woman who raised a city of children
Who never got back or got asked how she felt
I once knew a woman who had a laugh just like thunder
And hands that can wipe away anyone’s tears
A women’s whose life wasn’t measured by time
Who stayed the same age despite passing years

So look bright, so look strong
Act the unbeatable part you once played
So hold tight, so hold on
Hold fast to the delicate future you made
Cause as I’m getting older
I’m finding the holes
I never wanted to see
So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me

I once knew a woman who would take me to breakfast
Who taught me that I could mix ketchup with eggs
I once knew a woman who saw all my moments
Who taught me to sing and to stand on both legs

I once knew a woman not scared to be challenged
Embracing all chances although she could fail
And when she fell down she  would always get up
I wasn’t afraid, I knew she’d prevail

So look bright, so look strong
Act the unbeatable part you once played
So hold tight, so hold on
Hold fast to the delicate future you made
Cause as I’m getting older
I’m finding the holes
I never wanted to see
So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me

I don’t have to leave I can stay by your side
What can I do so you’re able to see
That I won’t ever try without you there to catch me
So please be the woman I need you to be.

Don’t cry, and act strong
Be the unbeatable part you once played
So just try and hold on
Everything’s fine mom, you cant be afraid
So hold on, hold fast, hold tighter for me



All comments from YouTube:

@candyhearts013

Wonderful actor and singer... and also wonderful to look at! He's gorgeous.

@dhabsmd

The lyrics and the delivery were so good it gave me the shivers!

@musicman8

Every hair on my body is standing on edge! (pun intended) Excellent performance, it was truly inspiring!!!

@xlovex3songx

so so soooo good. great song beautiful vocals, i just cant even take it!

@sammccallum2335

Incredible performance!

@thecharyseee

This hits home for me. Such a beautiful song.

@RayWinters

I cry every time I hear this song...

@ManhattanSonata

Thank you guys SO MUCH for putting this up. I've been dying to see it.

@stuffrules416

THis is wonderful, I really want to sing this song now!

@Magalamb

you guys have such a gift for melody...

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