Steve Forbert (born Samuel Stephen Forbert, December 13, 1954 in Meridian, … Read Full Bio ↴Steve Forbert (born Samuel Stephen Forbert, December 13, 1954 in Meridian, Mississippi) is an American singer-songwriter. He is best known for his song "Romeo's Tune", which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1980. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.

Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.

After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.

Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).

www.steveforbert.com

I Don't Know
Steve Forbert Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know what you're tryin' to do
I don't know what's on your mind
I can't see just what's come over you
Oh, baby, won't you show me a sign?

I don't know what you're tryin' to do
I don't know, and it's makin' me mad
I can't see just what's come over you

Oh, baby, where's the love that we had?

[Bridge:]
I've been true, I've been true to you
I done walked the line
Now I can't get close to you
I believe you've changed your mind
(Little girl, yeah) that's that I'm thinkin', but...

I don't know what you're tryin' to do
I don't know; won't you kindly explain?
'Cause I can't see just what's come over you
Oh, baby, what's the name of this game?

[Bridge]

I don't know what you're tryin' to do
I don't know, and it's bringing me down
I can't see just what's come over you
Oh, babe, and I'm wearing a frown

I don't know
I don't know

Overall Meaning

Steve Forbert’s song “I Don’t Know” is a pleading, country-infused rock ballad with a haunting guitar riff and a strong vocal performance. The lyrics are about a relationship that has gone sour, with the singer expressing confusion and frustration about his partner’s behavior. He doesn’t understand what she’s trying to do or what’s on her mind, and he longs for her to show him a sign that she still cares. The chorus repeats the refrain of “I don’t know,” emphasizing the singer’s uncertainty and helplessness.

In the first verse, the singer expresses his inability to comprehend his partner’s actions, which is driving him crazy. He can’t see what’s come over her and is lamenting the lack of love they once had. The bridge of the song acknowledges the singer’s fidelity and his belief that his partner has changed her mind. The second verse reiterates the singer’s frustration and confusion, asking his partner to explain what she’s doing and what the name of the game is. Finally, he expresses his sadness and disappointment with the situation, reflected in the down tempo and melancholic tone of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know what you're tryin' to do
I don't understand your actions

I don't know what's on your mind
I don't know what you're thinking

I can't see just what's come over you
I don't understand why you've changed

Oh, baby, won't you show me a sign?
Can you give me a clue about what's happening?

I don't know, and it's makin' me mad
Your behavior is frustrating me

Oh, baby, where's the love that we had?
Why have you fallen out of love with me?

I've been true, I've been true to you
I have been faithful to you

I done walked the line
I have upheld my end of the bargain

Now I can't get close to you
I feel distant from you

I believe you've changed your mind
I think you no longer want to be with me

(Little girl, yeah) that's that I'm thinkin', but...
(I'm hesitant about assuming this, but...)