Mulvey self-released his first demo tape, Rabbit Talk, in 1992; this was followed that same year by his first major album Brother Rabbit Speaks (which was re-issued in 2001). Since then he has released more than a dozen albums. His music has featured on NPR's shows "All Songs Considered" and "Weekend Edition", as well as the television show "Felicity".
www.petermulvey.com
Everybody Knows
Peter Mulvey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody knows that you love me baby Everybody knows that you really do Ah give or take a night or two Everybody knows that you've been discreet But the were so many people you just had to meet Without your clothes And everybody knows Everybody knows, Everybody knows That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Peter Mulvey’s song, Everybody Knows, speaks about the harsh truths of the world that everyone is aware of, but hardly speak about. The lyrics delve into the corruption, lies, and despair that exist in society. The opening line, “Everybody knows that the dices are loaded” suggests that everything is predetermined, and people gamble their lives over things they have no control over. There are many references to the broken feeling that people are living with. The boat is leaking, the captain lied, and the fight was fixed. The song speaks to the fact that all of these truths are so evident that everyone can feel them.
The lyrics also speak about the futility of living in society that is rigged against them. The poor stay poor, and the rich get richer, and everyone knows this is how it goes. The song also speaks about the obsession with material possessions, such as a box of chocolates and a long stem rose, and how people talk to their pockets instead of actual people. In the chorus, the line “everybody knows that it’s now or never” speaks to the urgency of needing to make changes, yet nobody does. The song speaks about the world collapsing, “the meter on your bed that will disclose what everybody knows,” and nobody doing anything about it.
Peter Mulvey’s lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and despair in the world, where the rich thrive, and the poor struggle. Yet, each individual bears some responsibility for their complicity in the corrupt systems that have been created. Everyone knows what needs to be done, but nobody does it. The song aims to serve as a call for action, for people to take ownership and make the changes needed to make society a fairer and better place for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody knows that the dices are loaded
Everyone is aware of the fact that the system is rigged
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
People hope for the best but expect the worst
Everybody knows that the war is over
The conflict is resolved but its repercussions linger on
Everybody knows that the good guys lost
The ones who did the right thing are still struggling
Everybody knows that the fight was fixed
The competition was corrupted and predetermined
The poor stay poor
The underprivileged group continues to suffer financially
The rich get rich
The advantaged group continues to prosper financially
That's how it goes
The situation can't be changed
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
The situation is precarious and potentially dangerous
Everybody knows that the captain lied
The leader deceived others about the situation
Everybody got this broken feeling
People feel saddened and disheartened
Like their father or their dog just die
The feeling of loss is overwhelming
Everybody talking to their pockets
People are privately expressing their concerns
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
People crave comfort and pleasure amidst distress
And a long stem rose
People desire affection and love amidst turmoil
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everyone is aware that you have strong feelings for me
Everybody knows that you really do
The love is genuine and unmistakable
Ah give or take a night or two
The feelings fluctuate but persist
Everybody knows that you've been discreet
The love has been kept under wraps
But there were so many people you just had to meet
You had to explore other options before making a commitment
Without your clothes
Your genuine self was revealed in private moments
That's how it goes
The fickleness and uncertainty of love is a common experience
And everybody knows that it's now or never
The situation has reached a critical point and a decision must be made
Everybody knows that it's me or you
The options have dwindled down to two choices
And everybody knows that you live forever
The memory of you will last indefinitely
Ah when you've done a line or two
The influence and effects of drugs can't be ignored
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
The agreement is flawed and unfair
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
The legacy of slavery and discrimination still persists
For your ribbons and bows
The pursuit of materialistic goals and superficial appearances is to blame
And everybody knows
The situation is so obvious that everyone is aware of it
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
A disastrous event is inevitable
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
The catastrophic event is rapidly approaching
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
The simplicity and innocence of the past is gone
Are just a shining artifact of the past
The memory of the bygone era is the only thing that remains
Everybody knows the scene is dead
The cultural and social norms have expired
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
The ultimate reckoning of your actions and choices is inevitable
That will disclose
The revelation will be a surprise to some
What everybody knows
The truth will be evident to everyone in the end
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
The problem is obvious and urgent
Everybody knows what you've been through
The hardships and struggles can't be ignored
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
A reference to the crucifixion of Jesus and the suffering he endured
To the beach of Malibu
The stark contrast of pain and luxury highlights the irony of life
Everybody knows it's coming apart
The situation is deteriorating rapidly
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Reflect on the holy and profound aspects of life before it's gone
Before it blows
Before the moment of destruction and loss occurs
Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
The inevitability and awareness of the situation is undeniable
That's how it goes
This is the reality of life that we must accept
Everybody knows, everybody knows
The universality and commonality of the situation is acknowledged
That's how it goes
This is the way life works for everyone
Everybody knows
Everyone is aware of the situation and its implications
Writer(s): Sharon Robinson, Leonard Cohen
Contributed by Kaitlyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin Gries
This is a helluva a performance