The Knocks are a production and DJ duo who specialize in melodic, carefree … Read Full Bio ↴The Knocks are a production and DJ duo who specialize in melodic, carefree dance music that draws from soul, funk, disco, rap, and pop. Making their name with several singles and remixes, as well as EPs like 2011's Magic, they made their full-length debut in 2016 with 55, which featured a diverse array of guests such as Cam'ron, Carly Rae Jepsen, Wyclef Jean, and Walk the Moon. Following side project diversions that delved into future funk (Amelia Airhorn) and tropical house (the Mary Nixons), the Knocks presented another feel-good disco-house throwback with 2019's New York Narcotic. The duo subsequently released projects with artists like Gallant, Rivers Cuomo, and Foster the People, with whom they recorded the covers-heavy 2021 EP Melody & Silence. The collaboration-heavy full-length outing HISTORY appeared the following year.

The Knocks were formed in 2008 by James "JPatt" Patterson and Ben "DJ B-Roc" Ruttner. Patterson and Ruttner met at New York City's New School and shared an apartment, where they set up small recording studios in their bedrooms. The loud noise coming from their apartment led to neighbors constantly knocking on their door in order to get them to pipe down, hence the duo's name. Early success as remixers, however, enabled them to build their own studio in Manhattan. During 2008 and 2009, Knocks remixes surfaced for Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl"), Britney Spears ("3"), and PRGz ("Soul Glo"). B-Roc and Andrew W.K. also released DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, featuring several Knocks productions.

In 2010, the Knocks released their first singles, the sunny "Dancing with the DJ" (which later appeared on their 2011 EP Magic) and the whistling "Make It Better." Over the course of the next few years, the duo's profile was magnified by additional remixes for Tegan and Sara ("Closer"), the 1975 ("Girls"), and Dragonette ("Let It Go"), among others, in addition to tours with Ellie Goulding, Dragonette, and Sleigh Bells. They also collaborated with Fred Falke for the Kitsuné Music release "Geronimo" in 2012, as well as Treasure Fingers for "DYWT," released on Fool's Gold Clubhouse in 2014. Also in 2014, the group released an EP, titled Comfortable and released on the Neon Gold label, that included collaborations with X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot.

Signed to Big Beat, the Knocks slowed it down a bit for the 2014 single "Classic," one of their funkier and more disco-indebted singles, featuring Powers. An EP titled So Classic appeared in April 2015, followed by a new version of "Classic" featuring a verse by Fetty Wap. The Knocks spent much of the year working on their long-delayed debut album, which was previewed by the singles "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" (with Matthew Koma) and "New York City" (featuring Cam'ron). Finally, in March 2016, the duo released their first full-length, 55, which included additional guest appearances from Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Newell, and Semi-Precious Weapons' Justin Trantor. That July, the pair remixed selected tracks from the album on the 55.5 EP.

In early 2017, the Knocks released Testify, an EP of new songs featuring collaborations with MNEK, Delacey, and Tayla Parx. Later that year, the duo teamed up with Skylar Spence and released a future funk mixtape as Amelia Airhorn. They also formed the Mary Nixons, a group with Mat Zo, and issued the single "Adrian." They followed with the Captain Cuts collaboration "House Party." July 2018 saw the release of the single "Shades" which appeared later that year on the Knocks' second full-length, New York Narcotic. The album also featured contributions from Method Man, Sofi Tukker, and Foster the People.

2019 brought several singles, including the Kah-Lo collaboration "Awa Ni" and "Lucky Me" (with Great Good Fine Ok). Most of these were collected on the EP Summer Series: 2019. Several more singles arrived in 2020, including "One Fine Day" (with Idris Elba), "Bodies" (with MUNA), and "All About You" (featuring Foster the People). The following year, they released Melody & Silence, an EP with Foster the People that included a remix of the single, as well as covers of hits by Beck, Moby, and the Verve. Also in 2021, the Knocks released "R U High" (featuring Mallrat) and "Sound the Alarm" (featuring Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent), and were featured on Purple Disco Machine's "Fireworks." The following year saw the release of the full-length effort, HISTORY, which featured collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James, and Yoke Lore, among others.

Biography by Andy Kellman

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The Knocks Lyrics

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Yuh gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
yuh you can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it (Ooh, ooh)
You can take your time, time

Gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh (Stay human)
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time

Real science, real world, real boy (Him, him)
Real strange, rearrange, take names
Fake names humanity
"Stay with me" I said, yuh humanity
Don't hold back take me back
Don't hold ba ba ba ba back take me back
Don't, don't yuh, gotta stay tay tay tay
Gotta stay tay tay tay, Yuh
Don't, don't
Yuh, yuh, gotta stay, gotta stay
Gotta stay, gotta stay, Gotta stay
Don't, don't yuh, gotta stay tay tay tay
Gotta stay tay tay tay, Yuh
Don't, don't
Yuh, yuh, gotta stay, gotta stay
Gotta stay, gotta stay, Gotta stay
Gotta s

Yuh gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh you can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time
(Don't hold back)
Gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
(Take me back)
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh you can take your time with it
(Don't hold ba ba ba ba back)
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it (Take me back)
You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time

Don't, don't yuh, gotta stay tay tay tay
Gotta stay tay tay tay yuh
Don't, don't
Yuh, yuh, gotta stay, gotta stay
Gotta stay, gotta stay, Gotta stay
Don't, don't yuh, gotta stay tay tay tay
Gotta stay tay tay tay yuh
Don't, don't
Yuh, yuh, gotta stay, gotta stay
Gotta stay, gotta stay, Gotta stay

Yuh gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh you can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time
(Don't hold back)
Gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
(Take me back)
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh you can take your time with it
(Don't hold ba ba ba ba back)
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it (Take me back)
You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time time
Gotta get the world tonight
Gotta stay real with the human vibe
I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
Yuh you can take your time with it
You can take your time with it
You can take your time with it

You can take your time with it
You can take your time, time

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, The Knocks are urging listeners to embrace the present moment and connect with their authentic selves. They emphasize the importance of staying grounded in the human experience and not rushing through life. The phrase "take your time with it" is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that it's essential to slow down and fully experience each moment.

The reference to "fucking around with the human mind" implies a desire to challenge conventional thinking and explore new ideas. The Knocks may be encouraging listeners to question their own thoughts and beliefs, and consider alternative perspectives. By doing so, they suggest that we can expand our understanding of the world and ourselves.

The repetition of the phrase "gotta stay real with the human vibe" reinforces the message of staying true to oneself and embracing authenticity. It suggests that we should prioritize genuine human connection and avoid getting caught up in superficial or artificial aspects of life. The Knocks may be emphasizing the importance of being genuine and cultivating meaningful relationships.

The final paragraph of the lyrics repeats the theme of staying grounded in the human experience and not rushing through life. The phrases "Don't hold back" and "take me back" could be interpreted as a call to fully engage with life and not shy away from taking risks and experiencing new things. The Knocks also emphasize the importance of embracing the present moment, encouraging listeners to take their time and fully immerse themselves in the world around them.

Overall, these lyrics advocate for living in the present, embracing authenticity, and engaging in genuine human connections. The Knocks encourage listeners to slow down and fully experience life, urging them to challenge their own thoughts and beliefs to expand their understanding of the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Yuh gotta get the world tonight
You have to fully experience and engage with the world tonight

Gotta stay real with the human vibe
You need to remain authentic and connected to the essence of humanity

I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
I might play with and challenge the way humans think and perceive things

Yuh you can take your time with it
You have the freedom to proceed at your own pace

You can take your time with it
You can take as much time as you need

You can take your time with it
You have the freedom to proceed at your own pace

You can take your time with it
You can take as much time as you need

You can take your time, time
You have the freedom to proceed at your own pace

Gotta get the world tonight
You must fully experience and engage with the world tonight

Gotta stay real with the human vibe
You need to remain authentic and connected to the essence of humanity

I might fuck around with the human mind, yuh
I might play with and challenge the way humans think and perceive things

Yuh (Stay human)
Stay true to your human nature

Real science, real world, real boy (Him, him)
Authentic scientific exploration, real-life experiences, and genuine human essence

Real strange, rearrange, take names
Genuinely unique and unconventional, reorganize and make an impact, make yourself known

Fake names humanity
The artificial identities people adopt can hinder our connection to our true human nature

"Stay with me" I said, yuh humanity
I plead for humanity to remain connected and true to its core

Don't hold back take me back
Don't restrain yourself, embrace your true essence

Don't hold ba ba ba ba back take me back
Don't hesitate or be hesitant, embrace your true essence once again

Don't, don't yuh, gotta stay tay tay tay
Don't let go, you need to remain present and authentic

Gotta stay tay tay tay, Yuh
You need to stay present and authentic

Don't, don't
Don't let go, stay true to yourself

Yuh, yuh, gotta stay, gotta stay
You have to remain true to your true self

Gotta stay, gotta stay, Gotta stay
You need to stay true to yourself