Nobody Knows
Paul McCartney Lyrics


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That nobody knows, no nobody knows

Which one of you can tell me
What is is I'm looking at
Anyone who can
Has got to be a crazy cat
'cause I believe that
That nobody knows, no nobody knows
Yeah, nobody knows, no
Lord I cannot tell you
Well that's the way I like it
Yeah now, nobody knows

Nobody knows
Oh, nobody knows
Well lord you know that nobody knows

Samson and Delilah would have made a crazy pair
If the silly woman hadn't shaven off his hair
I believe that nobody knows, yeah, nobody knows
But that's the way I like it
Yeah now, nobody knows
That's the way I like it, nobody knows

I may go hungry, maybe next week
Well if I do then I'll still find something to eat
And you know, nobody knows, no nobody knows
Well that's the way I like it, baby, nobody knows

And that includes you, honey (nobody knows)
I'll pay your rent
I'll do you right (nobody knows)
Most every night
But still there's nobody knows
No now, nobody knows




And that's the way I like to keep it
Just so nobody knows

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Paul McCartney’s song “Nobody Knows” seem to be about a sense of mystery and the unknowable nature of the world. McCartney seems to be exploring the idea that there are some things in life that nobody can fully understand or explain, no matter how hard they try. The refrain, “nobody knows, no nobody knows,” emphasizes this point, suggesting that even those who claim to have all the answers are ultimately no more certain than anyone else. The line “Which one of you can tell me / What it is I’m looking at” seems to speak to the idea that perception is subjective and that the truth is often a matter of perspective. McCartney hints at the absurdity of trying to make sense of the world, noting that anyone who claims to know for sure “has got to be a crazy cat.”


The second verse of the song takes a more narrative turn, referencing the Biblical story of Samson and Delilah. This reinforces the idea that people have always struggled to understand the inscrutable forces at work in the world, and that even timeless stories and myths can’t provide all the answers. The repeated refrain of “that’s the way I like it” is a bit of a puzzle, as it seems to contradict the overall sense of bewilderment that the rest of the song is exploring. It’s possible that McCartney is reveling in the sense of mystery and uncertainty that he finds in the world, or that he’s suggesting that the quest for knowledge and understanding is ultimately futile and that it’s better to embrace the unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

That nobody knows, no nobody knows
There is no one who knows the answer.


Which one of you can tell me
I am looking for someone who has the answer.


What is it I'm looking at
I am searching for something, but I don't know what it is.


Anyone who can
If someone is able to tell me, I will ask them.


Has got to be a crazy cat
The person who can answer me must be insane.


'Cause I believe that
I think that no one has the answer.


Yeah, nobody knows, no
No one has the answer.


Lord I cannot tell you
I don't know the answer myself.


Well that's the way I like it
I prefer not knowing the answer.


Samson and Delilah would have made a crazy pair
If Samson hadn't been bald, he and Delilah would have been a strange match.


If the silly woman hadn't shaven off his hair
If Delilah hadn't cut off Samson's hair, they would have been more compatible.


I believe that nobody knows, yeah, nobody knows
No one really knows what could have been if Samson hadn't been bald.


I may go hungry, maybe next week
I might face hunger in the future.


Well if I do then I'll still find something to eat
Even if I'm hungry, I'll be resourceful and find food.


And you know, nobody knows, no nobody knows
No one can predict the future, including me.


Well that's the way I like it, baby, nobody knows
I like not knowing the future because it is full of surprises.


And that includes you, honey (nobody knows)
No one, including my loved ones, has the power to see the future.


I'll pay your rent
I will take care of you financially.


I'll do you right (nobody knows)
I will treat you well in our relationship, but we can't know what the future holds.


Most every night
I will treat you well most of the time.


But still there's nobody knows
Even in a loving relationship, we can't know what the future holds.


No now, nobody knows
No one knows what we will face in the future.


And that's the way I like to keep it
I like the unpredictability of the future.


Just so nobody knows
I prefer to keep the uncertainty of the future a mystery to maintain excitement and surprise.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL MCCARTNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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