I don't know why
Rodeo Lyrics


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I hear your car pull into the drive
I say to myself well he's made it home alive
I hear the turning of your key in the door
The sound of your boots as they fall to the floor

And one by one, I hear you climbin' the stairs
You take off your clothes and you lay 'em on the chair
Then you lie down beside me and whisper something sweet
But I keep my eyes closed and pretend that I'm asleep

I don't want you to know I've been waitin' for you
I'd rather you show that you've been needin' me too
I know it's a game but I love it just the same
I don't want you to know I've been waitin' for you

This is secret I keep even from you
I need to know there ain't nothin' you won't do
So I pretend for just as long as I can
The cards are mine but they're all in your hand





I don't want you to know
I don't want you to know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rodeo's song "I Don't Know Why" depict a relationship between two people where neither wants to let on how much they need each other. The singer of the song portrays themselves as quietly observing their partner's arrival home, listening as they climb the stairs, and quietly pretending to be asleep as their partner lies down beside them. The singer doesn't want to reveal their vulnerability or need for the other person, so they play what they call a "game" where they keep their feelings hidden. The singer explains that this game is important to them because they need to know that there isn't anything their partner won't do for them. Ultimately, the singer doesn't want their partner to know how much they've been waiting for them, but they also secretly hope that their partner has been waiting for them too.


The lyrics to "I Don't Know Why" are poignant and relatable, capturing the push-and-pull of a relationship where both partners are afraid to reveal their true feelings. The repetition of the refrain "I don't want you to know" highlights the importance of secrecy and the fear of vulnerability. The detail of the singer "pretending" to be asleep adds a layer of emotional complexity to the lyrics; the singer is not simply avoiding conversation or confrontation, but actively deceiving their partner to conceal their own emotions.


Interestingly, the song's title is never actually mentioned in the lyrics themselves. This may have been a deliberate choice by the songwriters to encourage listeners to focus on the emotional content of the song rather than its title. Additionally, the song was actually written by a man, Paul Kennerley, but is performed from a woman's perspective by Rodeo.


Line by Line Meaning

I hear your car pull into the drive
I am aware of your arrival through the sound of your car pulling into our driveway.


I say to myself well he's made it home alive
I reassure myself that you have arrived safely.


I hear the turning of your key in the door
I hear the sound of you unlocking the door.


The sound of your boots as they fall to the floor
I hear the distinct sound of your boots hitting the ground as you take them off.


And one by one, I hear you climbin' the stairs
I am able to hear the each of your footsteps as you ascend the stairs.


You take off your clothes and you lay 'em on the chair
I observe as you remove your clothing and place them on the chair.


Then you lie down beside me and whisper something sweet
You join me in bed and say something affectionate.


But I keep my eyes closed and pretend that I'm asleep
Despite your sweet whispering, I pretend to still be asleep and do not respond.


I don't want you to know I've been waitin' for you
I keep it a secret that I eagerly anticipated your arrival.


I'd rather you show that you've been needin' me too
I prefer that you express a desire for me as well.


I know it's a game but I love it just the same
I am aware that this is a playful game between us, but I still find enjoyment in it.


This is secret I keep even from you
I keep this game and my desire for you a secret, even from you.


I need to know there ain't nothin' you won't do
I desire to know that there is nothing you wouldn't do for me.


So I pretend for just as long as I can
I keep up the pretense of sleeping for as long as possible.


The cards are mine but they're all in your hand
I have control of the situation, but ultimately it is up to you.


I don't want you to know
I keep these feelings and desires from you, not wanting to reveal them.


I don't want you to know
I reiterate that keeping these feelings a secret is very important to me.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON SCHLITZ, JANIS L. OLIVER-GILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@TokitoPaisen

The beat: 🔥 🔥 🔥
The Lyrics 💀 💀 💀

@teenagerblog7416

LOL

@dieg1085

Haha 😅

@TwinFlame00

Exactly lol

@llush_

facts tho

@theidktuber1165

real

42 More Replies...

@messysoda2220

Got me feeling zesty af 😫💅🏻

@PajamaPower

periottt 🤭

@CrystalEditsss

So uh my italian friend made a tiktok with this song and I dont think she has an idea of what this means😭 im italian too

@QtBlack

ong

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