I Don't Know What It Is
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know what it is
But you got to do it
I don't know where to go
But you got to be there
I don't know where to fall
But I know that it's comfortable, well
I don't know where it is
Putting all of my time in learning to care
And a bucket of rhymes I threw up somewhere
Want a locket of who made me lose
My perfunctory view of all that is around
And of all that I do

So I knock on the door, take a step that is new
Never been here before
Is there anyone else who's too
In love with beauty
Playing all of the games
And thinks three's company

Is there anyone else who has slightly mysterious bruises
I don't know what it is
Sick and looking around at friendly faces
All declaring a war on far off places
Is there anyone else who is through
With complaining about what's done unto us

So I knock on the door
And I am on a train
Going God knows where to
To get me over, to get me over

Get me heaven or hell, Calais or Dover
I was hoping the train was my big number
Docking in Santa Fe and the Atchison Topeka
But we're chugging along, done away by the crossing hands

We'll heading for Poland or limbo or Lower Manhattan
Find myself running around
I don't know what it is
To get me over

I don't know what it is
To get me over

I don't know what it is
To get me over
To get me over





You gotta do it
You gotta be there

Overall Meaning

At its core, Rufus Wainwright's "I Don't Know What It Is" is a song about uncertainty but the beauty of being alive and experiencing all the unknowns that life has to offer. In the first verse, Wainwright sings about not knowing what to do or where to go but acknowledging the need to take action in some direction. The following lines describe a sense of comfort in the unknown and a desire for something more than routine. The second verse touches on the idea of growth and learning through taking a step into the unknown. Wainwright expresses a desire to break free from mundane complaints and embrace the mystery and beauty of life.


The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "I don't know what it is, to get me over," which captures the essence of the song. The line illustrates the feeling of being stuck in a rut but recognizing that there is something more to life. In the final verse, Wainwright continues with the imagery of traveling on a train towards an unknown destination, but with the hope that it will lead to heaven or hell, Santa Fe or Lower Manhattan. The song ends with a reiteration of the need to take action and to be present in the experience of living.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know what it is
I'm not sure what exactly it is that I'm searching for.


But you got to do it
I know I have to keep searching and trying to find what it is I need.


I don't know where to go
I'm lost and uncertain about where my journey will take me.


But you got to be there
I have to stay present and open-minded to what is around me, even if I don't know where I'm headed.


I don't know where to fall
I'm not sure where my path will lead me, but I know that I will find comfort when I do.


But I know that it's comfortable, well
Even though I don't know where I'll fall, I am confident that I will find a comfortable place to rest and be at peace.


I don't know where it is
The destination of my journey is still unknown to me.


Putting all of my time in learning to care
I'm focusing my energy on building empathy and compassion for others.


And a bucket of rhymes I threw up somewhere
I have a wealth of creativity and ideas, but I've lost track of where I put them.


Want a locket of who made me lose
I wish I could understand what caused me to lose my way.


My perfunctory view of all that is around
My superficial way of looking at the world has been shattered, and I'm searching for a deeper understanding.


And of all that I do
I'm questioning everything I've done and seeking a new perspective on my choices.


So I knock on the door, take a step that is new
I'm ready to take a risk and try something different to find what I'm looking for.


Never been here before
This is completely uncharted territory for me.


Is there anyone else who's too
I wonder if there are others out there feeling lost and searching for answers.


In love with beauty
I have a deep appreciation for the beauty in the world around me.


Playing all of the games
I'm navigating the complexities of life, including societal norms, expectations, and relationships.


And thinks three's company
I prefer to surround myself with a few close friends rather than having a large group of acquaintances.


Is there anyone else who has slightly mysterious bruises
I wonder if there are others who also have unexplained pain or trauma that they've kept hidden from the world.


Sick and looking around at friendly faces
I'm feeling physically or emotionally unwell but am surrounded by people who care about me.


All declaring a war on far off places
Everyone around me is focused on issues that seem far removed from my own struggles.


Is there anyone else who is through
I wonder if anyone else is tired of constantly feeling lost and seeking answers.


With complaining about what's done unto us
I'm tired of dwelling on the negative things that have happened to me and want to move forward with my life.


And I am on a train
I'm in motion and heading somewhere, even if I don't know where that is yet.


Going God knows where to
I have no idea where this journey will ultimately take me.


To get me over, to get me over
I'm searching for something that will lift me up and help me move forward with my life.


Get me heaven or hell, Calais or Dover
I'm open to finding any kind of outcome on this journey, whether it's positive or negative.


I was hoping the train was my big number
I had high expectations for this journey, hoping it would be the solution to all of my problems.


Docking in Santa Fe and the Atchison Topeka
I had a specific destination in mind that I was hoping to reach.


But we're chugging along, done away by the crossing hands
I'm realizing that my journey may be more unpredictable and challenging than I originally thought.


We'll heading for Poland or limbo or Lower Manhattan
The destination of this journey could be anywhere, even places I've never considered before.


Find myself running around
I'm feeling lost and aimless, unsure of which direction to go next.


To get me over
I'm still searching for something to lift me up and give my life purpose.


You gotta do it
I know that I have to keep moving forward, even if I don't know where I'm headed yet.


You gotta be there
I have to stay present and open to what is around me, even if I don't know where my journey is taking me.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Rufus Wainwright

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@kutsalkaanbilgin

one of the best songs ever written

@malinlundstrom5879

yes

@glammer

I cannot concur with this sentiment enough to express my wholehearted agreeability with its robust correctness.

@Moon_Fire_Water

And the Harvey girls reference is amazing and only a true Judy fan would recognize the nod!! "I was hoping the train was my big number docking the Santa fe and the Atchison Topeka"

@amerifilm1

I always loved that reference!

@kamelryke31

My favorite...

2 More Replies...

@stanandrus1139

Rufus Wainwright's music is surly proof that the mainstream will never acquire a taste for good music.

@videohut4445

Great song.
I was blown away when I first heard it in 2005.

@Ibanv10

This song surely has something special. The way it flows is magic. Pure talent!!!

@katastrophenschutzwa

Rufus Wainwright. Best performance at Glastonbury 2022 by a country mile.

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