Their live performances, generally at smaller venues, showcase their use of three-part harmony and southern rock feel, and are admired for being intense, energetic, and soulful. The Avetts have been picking up steam opening for Dave Matthews Band and playing SXSW and Newport Folk Festival.
I Never Knew You
The Avett Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I loved you so way back when.
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Well I didn't even know you then.
We take (we take)
A lot (a lot)
And no one here can stop
Before (before)
It gets to where it's goin'.
And ah
Well I guess it's kinda funny how
I loved you so way back when.
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Well I didn't even know you then
I heard (I heard)
About (about)
The company you're keeping
And from (and from)
Someone (someone)
Who didn't have much interest
In keeping us apart.
Well I guess it's kinda funny how
I loved you so way back when.
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Well I didn't even know you then
And so I go out Friday night and talk to anyone I can.
If they can see me they can hear me run my mouth.
I tell them all I'd love to see you once again
Or maybe just run into you hanging out,
Hanging out.
You know (you know)
I lie (I lie)
So it comes as no surprise
When I (admit)
That I (that I)
Don't really want to reunite.
Well I guess it's kinda funny how
I loved you so way back when.
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Well I didn't even know you then.
So I guess it's kinda funny how
I loved you so way back when.
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Well, I didn't even know you then.
No, I didn't even know you then.
No, I didn't even know you then.
The Avett Brothers' song "I Never Knew You" explores the complexities of love and the ways in which time can change people. The singer of the song reflects on a past relationship and the ways in which the person they once loved has changed. The opening lines, "Well I guess it's kinda funny how / I loved you so way back when / You say I wouldn't know you now / Well I didn't even know you then," deal with the idea that love can be fleeting and based on shallow premises. The singer recognizes that they loved the person based on an idea of who they were, rather than who they actually were.
The song then turns to the idea that our pasts and current company can affect our relationships. The verse "I heard about the company you're keeping / And from someone who didn't have much interest / In keeping us apart" speaks to the idea that outside forces can have a major impact on relationships. It also deals with the idea that people change and move on from past relationships, as the person the singer once loved is now with someone else.
The final verse of the song speaks to the idea of closure and the ways in which we try to reconnect with past loves. The singer admits that they would like to see the person again or "maybe just run into you hanging out," but ultimately recognizes that they "don't really want to reunite." The song explores the idea of nostalgia and the ways in which we can romanticize the past, while also recognizing that it is not always possible or healthy to try to recapture what once was.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I guess it's kinda funny how
Reflecting on how things have changed over time
I loved you so way back when.
Expressing past affection for someone
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Acknowledging that the person has changed since then
Well I didn't even know you then.
Admitting that they never really knew the person to begin with
We take (we take)
Acknowledging that people take from each other in relationships
A lot (a lot)
Emphasizing how much people take from each other
And no one here can stop
Implying that stopping the taking is difficult because both parties are involved
That train (that train)
Using a train as a metaphor for the course of the relationship
Before (before)
Before it's too late
It gets to where it's goin'.
Implying that the relationship will go its natural course
And ah
Adding a pause or moment of reflection
I heard (I heard)
Implying that the person heard about the other person from a third party
About (about)
In reference to
The company you're keeping
Referring to the other person's current social circle
And from (and from)
From
Someone (someone)
A person who didn't want to keep them apart
Who didn't have much interest
Implying that the person who informed them didn't really care
In keeping us apart.
Suggesting that the other person has moved on and doesn't want to reconnect
And so I go out Friday night and talk to anyone I can.
Trying to fill a void or distract themselves by socializing
If they can see me they can hear me run my mouth.
Being talkative, possibly trying to mask sadness or loneliness
I tell them all I'd love to see you once again
Revealing their true desire to see the other person again
Or maybe just run into you hanging out,
An alternate scenario where they stumble across the other person unexpectedly
Hanging out.
Casual, easygoing interaction with the other person
You know (you know)
Acknowledging that the other person is aware
I lie (I lie)
Admitting to lying about wanting to see the other person again
So it comes as no surprise
Implying that the other person shouldn't be shocked by the lie
When I (admit)
Acknowledging that they will tell the truth
That I (that I)
Referring to themselves
Don't really want to reunite.
Admitting that they don't have a genuine desire to see the other person again
So I guess it's kinda funny how
Continuing the contemplative tone
I loved you so way back when.
Reiterating past feelings for the other person
You say I wouldn't know you now,
Reflecting on the changes the other person has gone through
Well, I didn't even know you then.
Reaffirming that they never really knew the other person at all
No, I didn't even know you then.
Emphasizing that they want to make it clear they didn't know the other person well
No, I didn't even know you then.
Repeating the previous line to drive home the point
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROBERT WILLIAM CRAWFORD, SCOTT YANCEY AVETT, TIMOTHY SETH AVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CSelH
This song really shows their talent, probably one of the most complex/hardest they have wrote, and just amazing
MartyMartin87
may the luck always be on their side, great music, great band
Deborrah Trueman
Thank you for this!!! The greatest love affair we can sometimes have is with ourselves in proxy of someone else
Kandra Armstrong
The best thing about this album??!!! You get to feel the joy of brand new every time
Steve Alcorn
This band is GREAT!!!! Would love to see them in concert!
justin2pac
Such an underrated breakup song that makes you feel HAPPY instead of miserable!!!
Divany Araujo
When I thought I couldn't love them more, they surprise me with this. The song is so freaking perfect.
Rebecca Seven
Love this song. Anyone else think it sounds sad or is it just me?
emmy jenkins
They are just way to cute for words. Love this video..
Arthur Vieira
Greetings from Brazil! Nice sound guys!