The music video, which features a drag queen performing the song at a local football club meeting, adds an intriguing context to the song. Combined with the hints at bisexuality in the lyrics, The Knife seem to be simultaneously challenging homophobia and creating an air of intrigue around queer sexuality.
Pass This On
The Knife Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's his name
I thought I'd come by
To see him again
When you to dance
Oh what a dance
When you to love
Oh what a love
does he mention my achelove
Or is he more in to young girls with dyed black hair
I'm in love with your brother
I'd thought I'd come by
I'm in love with your brother
Yes I am
But maybe I
Shouldn't ask for his name
And you dance
Oh what a dance
And you laughed
Oh what a laugh
Does he know what I do and
You'll pass this on, won't you and?
If I asked him once what would he say
Is he willing,
Can he play?
He wasn't really looking for some more of it
Found company on the dancefloor and
Does he know what I do and
You'll pass this on, won't you and?
Does he know what I do and,
You'll pass this on, won't you?
And if I ask him once,
What would he say?
Is he willing, can he play?
At first glance, The Knife's song "Pass This On" reads like a simple love song. However, a closer look reveals that the lyrics are actually about unrequited love and the fear of rejection. The singer is in love with someone's brother and has come by to see him again. The song appears to be set in a club or dancefloor as the singer describes the dancing and love between the person and their brother.
The singer wonders if the person's brother talks about her at all or if he is only interested in younger women with black hair. The song seems to be about the fear of rejection, the singer unsure of whether she should ask for the brother's name or not. The repeated line "Does he know what I do and you'll pass this on, won't you?" highlights the singer's insecurity and their need for affirmation.
As the song progresses, the singer wonders if the brother is willing to reciprocate her love and if he can play along with her desires. However, it also becomes clear that the person is not really looking to play anymore and has found someone else on the dance floor.
Overall, "Pass This On" is a melancholic song that deals with themes of unrequited love, fear of rejection, and the need for affirmation.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in love with your brother
The singer is romantically interested in the sibling of the person they are addressing
What's his name
The singer wants to know the name of the person they are interested in
I thought I'd come by
The singer has made a physical visit to see the person they are interested in
To see him again
The artist has met the person they are interested in before and wants to see them again
When you to dance
The artist observes the person they are interested in dancing
Oh what a dance
The singer is impressed with the person's dancing ability
When you to love
The singer observes the person they are interested in engaging in acts of love
Oh what a love
The artist is impressed with the person's romantic abilities
Does he mention my achelove
The artist wonders if the person they are interested in thinks about them romantically
Or is he more in to young girls with dyed black hair
The artist wonders if the person they are interested in is attracted to a certain type of person
Yes I am
The singer confirms that they are still interested in the person's brother
But maybe I shouldn't ask for his name
The artist realizes that pursuing their interest may not be appropriate or socially acceptable
And you dance
The singer observes the person they are addressing dancing
Oh what a dance
The singer is impressed with the person's dancing ability
And you laughed
The singer observes the person they are addressing laughing
Oh what a laugh
The artist is impressed with the person's sense of humor
Does he know what I do and
The artist wonders if the person they are interested in knows what they do for a living
You'll pass this on, won't you and?
The singer asks the person they are addressing to pass on a message to the person they are interested in
If I asked him once what would he say
The singer wonders how the person they are interested in would respond if they asked about their romantic interest
Is he willing, can he play?
The artist wonders if the person they are interested in is available and interested in a romantic relationship
He wasn't really looking for some more of it
The person the artist is interested in may not be looking for a romantic relationship
Found company on the dancefloor and
The person the artist is interested in may have found someone else to spend time with
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARIN ELIZABETH DREIJER ANDERSSON, OLOF BJORN DREIJER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1chienandalou
This is art. I don’t know what else to say. So compelling I always revisit. Thank you!
@edithperez2991
❤
@h8erka
This has been my mobile ringtone for over 15 years
@clyoul3ss819
Haha....excellent! I just found that song in 2023 and already loving it. You're 15 years ahead of me.
@hartright3397
I love how the people in the room, who appear to be from many different walks of life and viewpoints, put aside their differences to dance together to a beautiful, haunting song. Gives me a sliver of hope.
@jtarantula3390
So beautifully put
@colorado80401
Prophetic, huh?
@teekotrain6845
Is it a rehab center?
@1chienandalou
@@teekotrain6845 kinda looks like one doesn’t it, but not necessarily I guess.
@liantrosretrospectiva4134
it´s a video, dude, they are actors or random people commanded to dance... stop smoking pot and go to bed