I Don
Stevie Wonder Lyrics


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I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I love you
I don't know why I love you
But I love you

Always treat me like a fool
Kick me when I'm down that's your rule
I don't know why I love you
But I love you

Oh you never stop your
Cheatin' ways with another guy
You laugh in my face
Lord how long must I be disgraced

Cause I love you
Oh baby, baby, baby
I don't know why I love you
I don't know

You and me baby, oh
I don't know why I love you baby
But I love you baby
Oh darlin', darlin', darlin'

You throw my heart down in the dirt
You made me crawl on
This cold black earth, baby
No I never, I never knew

How much love could hurt
Until I loved you baby
'Til I loved you baby, baby
Oh baby, I can't stop

I can't stop crying can't you see
Here I'm pleadin' on my knees
I'm on my knees
Won't you help me, help me please

Cause I love you, I love you baby
Sure enough, baby, yeah
I don't know, you don't know
We don't know none of us

Can't do nothing about it
I don't know, I don't know




Oh baby, I don't know, I don't know
Nobody can do nothing about it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why" expresses the confusion that arises when love is involved. Even though the subject of the song treats the singer cruelly, cheating on him and laughing in his face, he is unable to shake the feeling of love. He admits that he doesn't understand why he loves her, despite her poor treatment. The repetition of the line "I don't know why I love you" emphasizes the singer's confusion and frustration.


The lyrics also touch on themes of pain and humiliation. The subject of the song has hurt the singer deeply, throwing his heart down and making him crawl in the dirt. The line "How much love could hurt" suggests that the singer was not prepared for the emotional pain that comes with loving someone. However, despite the pain, the singer cannot help loving this person.


It is a song that speaks to the common human experience of feeling love for someone who maybe isn't deserving or treating you well. There is a sense of desperation in the lyrics, and a feeling of being trapped by emotions that one doesn't fully understand.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't know why I love you
I cannot explain the reason for loving you


But I love you
Despite the lack of explanation, I still love you


Always treat me like a fool
You continuously make me feel foolish


Kick me when I'm down that's your rule
You take advantage of my vulnerabilities


Oh you never stop your
Your actions are unceasing


Cheatin' ways with another guy
You are unfaithful with other men


You laugh in my face
You find amusement in my pain


Lord how long must I be disgraced
How much longer must I experience humiliation


You and me baby, oh
Together, you and I


You throw my heart down in the dirt
You disregard my emotions


You made me crawl on
You reduce me to a subservient state


This cold black earth, baby
An unpleasant and unforgiving situation


No I never, I never knew
I did not previously understand


How much love could hurt
The extent to which love can cause pain


Until I loved you baby
I did not realize this until I loved you


Oh baby, I can't stop
My emotions are uncontrollable


I can't stop crying can't you see
I am overwhelmed with sadness


Here I'm pleadin' on my knees
I am begging for mercy


Won't you help me, help me please
I am requesting assistance


Sure enough, baby, yeah
Absolutely, yes


We don't know none of us
None of us possess the answer


Can't do nothing about it
We are powerless to change it




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PRIEST J N BROOKS, TRACEY N DAVIS, KEVIN N GILLIAM, MARLYN N MCLEOD, PAMELA N SAWYER, KEIWAN SPILLMAN, DAJUAN N WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@brittanygarrison8030

Stevie never cared for this song but it's my favorite of all his masterpieces. Prettiest voice I've ever heard. He is a gift from God.

@abraxaseyes87

The peak is amazing

@anthonyaustin2166

I grew up listening to stevie ..saw him in concert aged 18 and only heard this track just a few days ago at the ripe old age of 54 and it was worth the wait x

@richarddutchholland4780

I heard this on the radio for the first time ever today and I now do believe it’s my favourite Stevie Wonder song and probably my favourite Motown track of all time, all in the space of a couple of hours......

@eradeziel

Is that right? I didn't know that, this is one of my favourite songs.

@stillspooky

@@eradeziel You should hear the Rollings Stones cover of it

@esperwarlord

I love at the end how he just starts to lose his breath and gasp for air but still keeps on singing because HE HAS TO LET THIS GIRL KNOW HOW HE FEELS. Truly amazing. I love singing this song out loud to myself.

@majordan1000

Never really thought of it that way I always believed it was part of the message, either way work of art. Glad you noticed and mentioned. The reason I say this is because it's noticeable in the early stage also, not as much in the latter.

@alexhunter-meier

a real doormat guy he was if it is true

@9999bigb

And he was like 17 when he wrote this. No big deal

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