14 Songs is the first official solo album from Paul Westerberg, former leader of The Replacements. In many ways, it's his second solo album, given that the final Replacements album, All Shook Down, was heavily packed with session musicians and marginalized the other three band members.
The album features contributions from Ian McLagan, former keyboardist for the Faces, a band that Westerberg has often cited as a favorite. Joan Jett sings background vocals.
Paul Westerberg – guitar, keyboards, saxophone, vocals
Produced by Paul Westerberg and Matt Wallace
Knockin on Mine
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
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You read common knowledge, stockpile your brain
You get burned in the sun, you get wet in the rain
What they teach you to fix, needs to be broke
I say he who laughs first didn't get the joke
Go on, untap your mind
Quit knocking on mine
She asked me to write something for her students
I wrote knowledge adds, wisdom let slide
She says now really? I wanna tap your mind
Quit knockin' on mine
Walkin' on
Knockin' on mine
Knowledge is power, got your books go read 'em
Wisdom is ignorance; stupidity I call freedom
Knockin' on mine
Get out
Comic books, the Bible, road maps, pornography
Anything you wanna read
Go out and sit in a field sometime
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
...Power got your books go read 'em
Wisdom is ignorance, stupidity, I call freedom
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
You read common knowledge every day.
You're as common as that newspaper you throw away
You get burned in the sun, you get wet in the rain
Won't you ever change
Won't you ever learn
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
Yes sir
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
The song "Knockin' on Mine" by Paul Westerberg is a commentary on the societal pressure to conform to the status quo and the importance of individuality. The opening line "You read common knowledge, stockpile your brain" suggests that the mainstream media and education systems may be limiting people's ability to think for themselves. The lyrics encourage listeners to "untap their minds" and to stop trying to conform to others' expectations. The repetition of the phrase "Quit knockin' on mine" serves as a call to action for people to stop hindering his/her personal growth and choices.
In the second verse, Westerberg describes a conversation with an English teacher who wanted him to write something for her students. He responds by writing "Knowledge adds, wisdom let slide" which implies that knowledge alone is not enough, and that true insight involves an openness to learning and change. The idea of letting wisdom slide suggests that sometimes we should question what we are told in order to find our own truths.
Overall, the song encourages listeners to think independently, find their own path and stop being distracted by external pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright
The singer sets the tone for the upcoming song.
You read common knowledge, stockpile your brain
The singer critiques how people accumulate trivial information without ever utilizing it.
You get burned in the sun, you get wet in the rain
The ups and downs of life are a universal experience.
What they teach you to fix, needs to be broke
Traditional methods and practices can hinder progress.
I say he who laughs first didn't get the joke
People often laugh just to fit in without understanding the humor.
Go on, untap your mind
Encouragement to break away from conformity and explore.
Quit knocking on mine
The singer wants to be left alone and not bothered.
An English teacher from Vancouver
The songwriter is referencing an interaction he had with a teacher.
She asked me to write something for her students
The teacher requested a written piece that could potentially inspire her classes.
I wrote knowledge adds, wisdom let slide
The message within the piece of writing was that wisdom should be favored over just gaining knowledge.
She says now really? I wanna tap your mind
The teacher appreciated the writer's ideas.
Walkin' on
A segue between the previous idea and the upcoming ones.
Knowledge is power, got your books go read 'em
Although knowledge is essential, there's more to learn outside of what books can teach.
Wisdom is ignorance; stupidity I call freedom
The price of wisdom could also lead to missing out on experiences, but ignorance comes at the cost of progress.
Knockin' on mine, Get out
The singer wants to make himself clear and have people stop intruding on his mind.
Comic books, the Bible, road maps, pornography
Anything can be read and be learned from, regardless of society's accepted norms.
Anything you wanna read
There's nothing that should restrict your interest and desire to learn.
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
Restating the refrain.
You're as common as that newspaper you throw away
The everyday person takes common knowledge for granted, much like a disposable newspaper.
Won't you ever change, Won't you ever learn
Rhetorical questions about people's unwillingness to evolve and improve themselves.
Yes sir
Comedic ending to the song.
Quit knockin' on mine (knockin' on mine)
Final repetition of the chorus.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind