It’s also worth noting the confidence Swift exudes in the second verse and pre-chorus — this song follows “The Archer,” a vulnerable track about her insecurities in a relationship.
I Think He Knows
Taylor Swift Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the sidewalk
Lead to where I can't stop
Go there every night
I think he knows his hands around
A cold glass
Make me wanna know that body
He got that boyish look that I like in a man
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
It's like I'm seventeen, nobody understands
No one understands
He got my heartbeat
Skipping down 16th Avenue
Got that, oh! I mean
Wanna see what's under that attitude
Like, I want you, bless my soul
And I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
I think he knows
I think he knows
When we get all alone
I'll make myself at home
And he'll want me to stay
I think he knows
He better lock it down
Or I won't stick around
'Cause good ones never wait
He got that boyish look that I like in a man
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
He's so obsessed with me, and boy I understand
Boy I understand
He got my heartbeat
Skipping down 16th Avenue
Got that, oh! I mean
Wanna see what's under that attitude
Like, I want you, bless my soul
And I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
I think he knows
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my soul
Lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
We can follow the sparks, I'll drive
Lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
We can follow the sparks, I'll drive
So where we gonna go?
I whisper in the dark
Where we gonna go?
I think he knows
He got my heartbeat
Skipping down 16th Avenue
Got that, oh! I mean
Wanna see what's under that attitude
Like, I want you, bless my soul
And I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
I think he knows
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my soul
I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
Dear Taylor Swift,
The song "I Think He Knows" by Jack Antonoff is a playful tribute to the early stages of a relationship where everything feels exciting and new. The opening lines reveal that the singer has been eagerly following the footsteps of her love interest, potentially even stalking him at night as she can't resist the pull towards him. She is drawn in by his boyish look and the way he holds a glass, and can't stop thinking about exploring his body intimately.
The chorus of “I Think He Knows” is a bouncy, fun exploration of how much the singer is into this guy. It's clear she is infatuated with him and wants to spend all of her time with him, but she also hints at the idea that he might feel the same way. The lines "He got my heartbeat skipping down 16th Avenue / Got that, oh! I mean / Wanna see what’s under that attitude / Like, I want you, bless my soul / And I ain't gotta tell him / I think he knows" express how much she is drawn to him physically and also how much he seems to reciprocate the attraction.
The bridge brings back the playful teasing and flirty language she uses in the chorus. She mentions the physical intimacy they've already shared, but also hints at the future by wondering where they will go together. The final lines "I ain't gotta tell him / I think he knows" reiterate the idea that they are both aware of the chemistry between them and that they are both equally invested in the relationship.
Overall, "I Think He Knows" is a fun and flirtatious song that celebrates the exhilarating feelings of a new romance. Its catchy melody and buoyant lyrics make it a standout track on the album and it’s easy to see why so many Swifties are obsessed with it.
Line by Line Meaning
I think he knows his footprints
On the sidewalk
Lead to where I can't stop
Go there every night
She believes that he is aware that his footprints on the sidewalk lead her to follow him every night.
I think he knows his hands around
A cold glass
Make me wanna know that body
Like it's mine
She thinks he is aware that when he holds a cold glass, it makes her want to know his body like it belongs to her.
He got that boyish look that I like in a man
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
It's like I'm seventeen, nobody understands
No one understands
She describes her attraction to his youthful appearance and compares her planning for their future to the work of an architect. She also notes that her feelings are misunderstood by others.
He got my heartbeat
Skipping down 16th Avenue
Got that, oh! I mean
Wanna see what's under that attitude
Like, I want you, bless my soul
And I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
I think he knows
Her heart races when they're together, and she wants to get past his tough exterior to see the real him. She believes he already knows how she feels.
I think he knows
When we get all alone
I'll make myself at home
And he'll want me to stay
She thinks he understands that she feels comfortable in his presence and will want to stay with him.
I think he knows
He better lock it down
Or I won't stick around
'Cause good ones never wait
She believes he is aware that he needs to commit to her, or she won't wait around for him since good partners don't last long.
He got that boyish look that I like in a man
I am an architect, I'm drawing up the plans
He's so obsessed with me, and boy I understand
Boy I understand
She reiterates her attraction to his boyish features and planning for their future. She also acknowledges and reciprocates his obsession with her.
Lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
We can follow the sparks, I'll drive
Lyrical smile, indigo eyes, hand on my thigh
We can follow the sparks, I'll drive
She describes his charming smile, captivating eyes, and physical touch. She suggests that they can go wherever their connection takes them, with her taking the lead on their journey.
So where we gonna go?
I whisper in the dark
Where we gonna go?
I think he knows
She asks where their relationship will go and believes that he already knows the answer.
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my soul
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my
I want you, bless my soul
She desires him so much that she repeats the phrase 'I want you, bless my soul.'
I ain't gotta tell him
I think he knows
She notes that she doesn't have to express her feelings because he already knows how she feels.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Inae Kim
"I am an architect"
Yes Taylor I knew it years ago when you started building the best bridges in the world
Does it matter?
I commented the same some months ago
Jordan Levitt
Architects don't build bridges, they just design them (I'm sorry I had to say it lmao)
Adrienne Fernandes
Woaaaah
Inae Kim
@Jordan Levitt oops didn't know that lol
Snazzynoelle13
Dang that was smooth
Al Chester Velasco Chess
Lover really has the potential to be a massive success. I Think He Knows is a gem that should have been a single together with Cruel Summer and Paper Rings
Al Chester Velasco Chess
spidermanfan 628 right. Actually Reputation and Lover really has the potential to be her 1989 era. Right single choices has been her issue since reputation. Idk if it’s her or her team.
Emma rose
Same! Honestly I find myself listening to this album more than others! So much undervalued bops!
Um
I read somewhere that artist usually put out the “worst” songs as the singles to save the best ones for the album like if Taylor released cruel summer and dbatc as singles lover probably wouldn’t have done as well