I Don't Know
Sly & The Family Stone Lyrics


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All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction

People to see, even me
Man with a little got more of a plea
He's cryin', I don't know

Time at last, laws to pass
Can't be a few got to be a mass
A-tryin' got to go

Bigger crowd, feelin' proud
And all of a sudden I'm singin' loud
Applyin', oh, what I know

Feel the game, not a pain
Ain't nobody in a strain
Defyin' oh, 'cause they know

All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction

Now I know what to do
No more sellin' me to you
Buyin' that's a no, no, no

Mother with is what you get
Tryin' to have the most of it
Am I livin'? I don't know

Ask yourself how you feel
Are you really feelin' real?
What you say? I don't know

All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction

I see abuse, what's the use?
Time must let my people loose
'Cause we tryin', I don't know

Much to learn, a place to turn
When there's nothin' else to burn
Replyin' oh, I think I know

Nothin' in the way, but another day
And we're gonna push it on out the way
'Cause we're doin' oh, what we know

All we need is little action
(What I say)
If it's only but a fraction
(I don't know)

All we need is little action
(What you say)
If it's only but a fraction
(You don't know)

All we need is little action
(What I say)
If it's only but a fraction
(Oh, we don't know)

All we need is little action




(What I say, we don't know)
If it's only but a fraction

Overall Meaning

The song "I Don't Know" by Sly & The Family Stone is a powerful and thought-provoking piece about the need for action in the face of injustice and oppression. The lyrics are about the need for people to take action, no matter how small, to make a difference in the world. The chorus repeats the phrase "All we need is a little action," emphasizing that even small actions can make a big impact. The verses describe different situations where action is needed, including political change and personal growth.


The first verse talks about how even the smallest actions can make a difference. The second verse talks about the need for political change, and how it requires a "mass" movement. The third verse emphasizes the importance of personal growth, asking the listener to ask themselves if they're "feeling real." The final verse emphasizes the need to push past obstacles and take action.


The song has a positive and upbeat sound, which reinforces the message that even small actions can make a big difference. Overall, the message of the song is that we all have the power to make a difference in the world, and that by taking even small actions, we can create positive change.


Line by Line Meaning

All we need is little action
We only need a small amount of effort to make a change


If it's only but a fraction
Even a little bit of action could make a difference


People to see, even me
Everyone deserves to be recognized


Man with a little got more of a plea
Folks with less, need more help and support.


He's cryin', I don't know
Uncertain of what to do


Time at last, laws to pass
It's time for legislation to change


Can't be a few got to be a mass
We can't have just a few people leading the charge, it must be a collective effort


A-tryin' got to go
We need to take action


Bigger crowd, feelin' proud
We're stronger together


And all of a sudden I'm singin' loud
Feeling empowered to speak up and take action


Applyin', oh, what I know
Using what we've learned to make a difference


Feel the game, not a pain
It should be enjoyable, not a constant struggle


Ain't nobody in a strain
No one should be overworked or overwhelmed


Defyin' oh, 'cause they know
Challenging the status quo because we know things could be better


Now I know what to do
Realizing that we have the power to make a change


No more sellin' me to you
Refusing to be taken advantage of


Buyin' that's a no, no, no
We won't accept things that go against our values


Mother with is what you get
What we have is what we're given


Tryin' to have the most of it
We're striving to do our best with what we have


Am I livin'? I don't know
Questioning whether we're truly living our lives to the fullest


Ask yourself how you feel
We need to be introspective and check in with ourselves


Are you really feelin' real?
Are we living an authentic life?


What you say? I don't know
Unsure of how to answer


I see abuse, what's the use?
Feeling powerless in the face of abuse and injustice


Time must let my people loose
It's time for us to be free from oppression


'Cause we tryin', I don't know
Although we're trying, we're unsure of the outcome


Much to learn, a place to turn
We have a lot to learn but need to keep looking for answers


When there's nothin' else to burn
When it seems like we've exhausted all our options


Replyin' oh, I think I know
Realizing we may have found a solution to a problem


Nothin' in the way, but another day
No obstacles stand in our way, except for the passing of time


And we're gonna push it on out the way
We're going to overcome obstacles and move forward


'Cause we're doin' oh, what we know
We're confident in what we're doing


(What I say)


(I don't know)


(What you say)


(You don't know)


(What I say, we don't know)


If it's only but a fraction
Even a little bit of action could make a difference




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYLVESTER STEWART

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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