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What Do I Know
Ricochet Lyrics


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Hey, I've been around
I've seen it all
Love is a chain around your heart
That holds you down
You're better off
Runnin' away before it starts
I wanted to chase my dreams
I thought freedom meant everything

But hey, hey, what do I know
I'm just the lonely fool
That let you go
And now what do I do
Thought I could live without you
But what do I know

Look who I've become
I wanted it all
Oh, but it hasn't happened yet
Look, what I have done
I built a wall
In between me and happiness
I had the answers, I made the rules
And I thought I had nothin' to lose

But hey, hey, what do I know
I'm just the lonely fool
That let you go
And now what do I do
Thought I could live without you
But what do I know

I had the answers, I made the rules
And I thought I had nothing to lose

But hey, hey, what do I know
I'm just the lonely fool
That let you go
And now what do I do
Thought I could live without you
Without you
But what do I know

But what do I know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song "What Do I Know" by Ricochet is a reflective observation on love and the choices made in relationships. The opening lines 'Hey, I've been around, I've seen it all' indicates the experience in love and the truth that love can bind and hold one back from chasing their dreams. Love may seem like a chain around the heart, holding you down, and in such cases, one is better off running away before it starts. The persona reveals that he thought freedom meant everything and wanted to chase his dreams. However, he is a fool for 'letting her go' and is now alone and questioning his decision.


The second verse in the song continues with a reflection of the choices he made. He wanted it all, but it did not happen yet. He had answers and made the rules but built walls between him and happiness. He thought he had nothing to lose, yet he lost the one he loved, and now he feels like a 'lonely fool.' The song "What Do I Know" is not only about relationships but a reflection of life choices and the consequence that follows.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, I've been around
I have gained life experience through my many years of living


I've seen it all
I have encountered and witnessed all manner of things in this world


Love is a chain around your heart
Love can be binding and restrict one's freedom and happiness


That holds you down
Love can be an anchor that keeps you from moving forward


You're better off
It is preferable to do something else rather than pursue love


Runnin' away before it starts
It is best to avoid getting involved with love before it causes harm


I wanted to chase my dreams
I desired to pursue my passions and ambitions


I thought freedom meant everything
I believed that being free was the most important thing in life


Look who I've become
I have transformed into someone I did not anticipate becoming


I wanted it all
I had high hopes and aspirations for my life


Oh, but it hasn't happened yet
My dreams and wishes have not come to fruition


Look, what I have done
I have created something, an obstacle or wall, which now hinders my happiness


In between me and happiness
The thing I created has become a barrier between myself and well-being


I had the answers, I made the rules
I believed I knew everything and had control over everything in my life


And I thought I had nothin' to lose
I believed that there was no risk in my approach to life


I'm just the lonely fool
I am alone and foolish for letting go of what I had


That let you go
I made the mistake of ending a relationship with someone precious


And now what do I do
I am lost without the one who left, unsure of how to move forward


Thought I could live without you
I thought I could continue on without the person I loved


Without you
Without the one I loved and lost


But what do I know
Despite everything, I am unsure and confused about how to proceed




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CATHY MAJESKI, STEPHONY SMITH, SUNNY RUSS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Eddie Kilgallon

We released this to Country Radio in Oct, 1995-we actually shot the music video for Daddy's Money in early November at a club in St. Louis called "Little Bit Of Texas". Thanks for keeping our music alive ya'll!

Joseph Martin

@Eddie Kilgallon A year late on the reply but "I Can't Believe You Let Her Go" is my favorite cut on that album! Absolutely flawless harmonies!

Eddie Kilgallon

@Grand Springdale It's all good! Take a listen to our cut of "I Can't Believe You Let Her Go" on our 3rd album, "What You Leave Behind"-another great song, I wish we had released that one as well! The real exciting thing about music is exploring and discovering new artists and songs you dig. We heard this demo (w/ a female singer) back in 1994 and cut it as part of our 3 song developmental deal on SONY-Columbia.

Grand Springdale

I was 17 in 95....

Sorry Eddie dude man, but I was too busy trying to be a teenage father, while at the same time banging my head to Pantera and CrowBar.

That's about all, peace out🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄

No One

I remember when you guys was doing a midwest farmers charity and you guys seen this little graffiti Cafe off of the highway and you guys said that you had to check it out and you came down and you guys was eating there because I was one of the waitresses that waited on you guys and the lady that was sitting there eating told one of you guys she said either you're a cowboy or you're a country singer and a gentleman told her that we are the ricochet band this was in the early 2000s it was right by the River Missouri River

Taylor Breanne Oliver

I looooove this song!

8 More Replies...

bombshell42701

What an incredible song.  They never got their due.

Jim T.

Both this and Love is Stronger than Pride remind me of the rocky relationship I had with my first girlfriend. Unfortunately, that relationship ended but at least now I found someone who is very understanding and loving

theReal$upergirl

@Joe Permenter what does that have to do with anything?
Yes they performed on COUNTRY shows not really mainstream shows.
They just didn't get enough respect and credit.
I still wish the original lineup would be back together.
I saw them in May of 1997.
They never came my way again, sadly.

Joe Permenter

They were on tv multiple times.

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