You Know
The Damned Lyrics


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You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You've got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know
You know you know

Can't stop thinkin' of you
All the ways you go on
Don't try to tell me baby
All your plastic has gone
You know we need your honey
Like I need a loan
Your time is running out now
Unless we're really on a go

Well you know you know
You know yes you know
You know you know
You know you know

You know you know
You know honey

You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You're got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know why
You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know




You know you know
You know you know

Overall Meaning

The Damned's song "You Know" is a critical commentary on society's obsession with money and material possessions. The lyrics criticize those who have all the trappings of wealth, such as plastic cards and open bars, but lack the ability to truly create or relate to others. The song highlights the superficiality of society and the futility of relying on material wealth for fulfillment.


The lyrics also touch on the idea that even though people may try to present a polished and perfect image to the world, their true selves will eventually show through. The line "Pretty as a mirror, ugly as your smile" suggests that even though someone may look good on the outside, their true personality may not be as attractive. The repetition of the phrase "You know" throughout the song emphasizes that the subject of the lyrics is aware of their own shortcomings and the flaws in their lifestyle, but is unable or unwilling to change.


Overall, "You Know" is a cynical and critical take on society's obsession with wealth and material possessions, reminding listeners that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be bought with money.


Line by Line Meaning

You've got your plastic cards
You possess everything materialistic


But you can't create
But you lack the ability to create something significant


You've got your open bars
You have access to socializing


But you can't relate
But you are incapable of forming meaningful connections with others


Pretty as a mirror
You may be physically attractive


Ugly as your smile
But your insincerity makes your smile look ugly


You won't fool anybody
People around you can see through your facade


Not even for a while
And it won't take them long to realize the truth


You know you know
You are aware of the truth


You know honey you know
You are well-aware of the situation, my dear


Can't stop thinkin' of you
I can't stop thinking about you


All the ways you go on
And all the things you're doing


Don't try to tell me baby
Don't even try to pretend to me


All your plastic has gone
That you've lost all that superficiality


You know we need your honey
We need your help


Like I need a loan
As desperately as I need a loan


Your time is running out now
Time is running out


Unless we're really on a go
Unless we put in some real effort


You know yes you know
You definitely know the truth


You know honey
You know, my dear


You've got your plastic cards
You possess everything materialistic


But you can't create
But you lack the ability to create something significant


You're got your open bars
You have access to socializing


But you can't relate
But you are incapable of forming meaningful connections with others


Pretty as a mirror
You may be physically attractive


Ugly as your smile
But your insincerity makes your smile look ugly


You won't fool anybody
People around you can see through your facade


Not even for a while
And it won't take them long to realize the truth


You know why
You know the reason behind it all




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DONALD DENNIS, PAUL CROSSDALE, PATRICK JACKSON, ANDRE GRAY, RANALDO EVANS, IRIS JAMES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

graham neale

"You Know"

You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You've got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know
You know you know

Can't stop thinkin' of you
All the ways you go on
Don't try to tell me baby
All your plastic has gone
You know we need your honey
Like I need a loan
Your time is running out now
Unless we're really on a go

Well you know you know
You know yes you know
You know you know
You know you know

You know you know
You know honey

You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You're got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know why
You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know
You know you know
You know you know



All comments from YouTube:

kevin adamson

I bought MFP and though this was far removed from first album, psychedelic and progressive , just shows how diverse musically they were, not just crash bang wallop like some punk bands of the time. I liked this and still play it from time to time.

Franco Jaramillo

The Damned has got to be one of the most under rated bands the UK has spawned.

graham neale

"You Know"

You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You've got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know
You know you know

Can't stop thinkin' of you
All the ways you go on
Don't try to tell me baby
All your plastic has gone
You know we need your honey
Like I need a loan
Your time is running out now
Unless we're really on a go

Well you know you know
You know yes you know
You know you know
You know you know

You know you know
You know honey

You've got your plastic cards
But you can't create
You're got your open bars
But you can't relate
Pretty as a mirror
Ugly as your smile
You won't fool anybody
Not even for a while

You know why
You know you know
You know honey you know
You know you know
You know you know
You know you know

Pipkin Hopkins

Love this its a really underated track by them .... ljust like the Stooges :D

Ken Andrews

I saw them July 4th 1979 at BOOKIES Club in Detroit
They had a new 3 song 45 out. And played all songs from first 2 albums

ClydeJarrod37UK

Cheers.Edward the Bear 7" is waaaay better than the album. He's right in there on the Grimly Fiendish version. I think he wrote Trojans.

Teddy Sundberg

How the hell did I get here? I was watching random awesome Doctor Who vids, went into awesome random David Tennant vids, and found this (Spot the difference ^^). Nothing bad, The Damned is one of my favorite bands. I mean this is a great, and which has been said; underrated track, but I don't get the connection xD Has this been in a 10th Doctor episode or something? :P 'Cause that would be cool! :D

kris s

its a mix of soft machine/kevin ayers and the stooges 'fun house' steve mackay sound. the damned were big fans of psychedelic freakout bands like those two. actually scabies similar to robert wyatt.

bef tahk

Excellence!

Fernando Graça

This is PUNK rock. The voice is appropriate to the genre. lol

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