Selfish
The Know How Lyrics


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I don't mean to sound cliché
You had a perfect world and you threw it away
You had the whole thing resting in your hands and acted like you really didn't give a damn
When you realize that you are wrong, I hope you take a step back and listen to this song time and time again
And realize what could have been
Why are you so selfish?
You got you and I'm jealous
And it seems like every day I think of you in another way
Whether it be questions from a friend or I meet another girl named Erin, a skinhead girl with hardcore mind, and a punk rawk heart who captured mine.
Walking along and I'm singing this song, hoping that maybe you'll hum along
Late night days on Clematis Ave, me and you and what I thought we had catching coffee with your Christian friends
Talking about you and your new men
Maybe we could catch a show
Means so much more than you'll ever know
Thinking back about everything, me and you just seem to ring.
What I feared has begun to start.
The time has come and we've grown apart
The phone now, it fails to ring
And if it does it's not you for me




I often wonder what could have been with this angel of a friend
Maybe one day we'll see, her holding hands back with me

Overall Meaning

The song "Selfish" by The Know How begins with the singer acknowledging that what they are about to say may sound cliché, but they have to speak their mind anyway. The lyrics then turn to addressing someone who had a perfect world and threw it all away. This person had everything in their hands and didn't seem to care about it. The singer hopes that this individual realizes their mistake and listens to the song over and over again to understand what could have been. The singer goes on to express their jealousy towards this person for being selfish and taking care of themselves. The singer then reflects upon their own thoughts and questions about the person and how they think about them every day. One particular memory involves the two of them catching coffee with Christian friends and talking about this person's new partners. Despite all of these thoughts and feelings, the singer holds onto the hope that maybe one day things could be different and they could end up with this "angel of a friend".


Throughout the song, the theme of missed opportunities and regret is prevalent. The singer confronts the idea of what could have been and mourns what they have lost. They express their jealousy towards the person who acted selfishly and seemingly got what they wanted. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and wistfulness as the singer thinks back to memories that bring them both happiness and pain. The hope that things could still change in the future is present, but the uncertainty of whether it will or not lingers.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't mean to sound cliché
I understand that what I am about to say may come across as overused or unoriginal.


You had a perfect world and you threw it away
You once had a life that seemed ideal and enviable, but you intentionally ruined it.


You had the whole thing resting in your hands and acted like you really didn't give a damn
You possessed everything necessary for a happy life, but you displayed an utter lack of care or concern.


When you realize that you are wrong, I hope you take a step back and listen to this song time and time again
I hope you can eventually admit your faults and repeatedly listen to this track for clarity.


And realize what could have been
Perhaps you will finally comprehend what wonderful opportunities you carelessly discarded.


Why are you so selfish?
You possess an excessive and detestable self-interest that is harmful to those around you.


You got you and I'm jealous
Your self-absorption has created a feeling of envy within me.


And it seems like every day I think of you in another way
On a daily basis, my perception of you shifts and changes dramatically.


Whether it be questions from a friend or I meet another girl named Erin, a skinhead girl with hardcore mind, and a punk rawk heart who captured mine.
Whether my friends are inquiring about you or I encounter a new girl, Erin, who I find fascinating and intriguing.


Walking along and I'm singing this song, hoping that maybe you'll hum along
As I stroll through the streets, I sing this tune with the anticipation that perhaps you will also join in.


Late night days on Clematis Ave, me and you and what I thought we had catching coffee with your Christian friends
I reminisce about our late-night chats on Clematis Avenue and our time spent drinking coffee with your devout friends.


Talking about you and your new men
Your associates discussing your romantic liaisons with other men is a discouraging topic of conversation.


Maybe we could catch a show
Perhaps we could attend a performance together.


Means so much more than you'll ever know
This experience carries immense sentimental value that you may never truly understand.


Thinking back about everything, me and you just seem to ring.
Upon reflection, my memories of our time together remain clear and vivid in my mind.


What I feared has begun to start.
What I apprehended or dreaded has commenced unfolding in reality.


The time has come and we've grown apart
Our relationship has inevitably dissolved due to our diverging paths in life.


The phone now, it fails to ring
I no longer receive calls from you as we are no longer in frequent communication.


And if it does it's not you for me
When my phone does ring, it is not you on the other end of the line.


I often wonder what could have been with this angel of a friend
Frequently, I question what our relationship could have blossomed into with such a remarkable individual as yourself.


Maybe one day we'll see, her holding hands back with me
It is possible that we may encounter each other again one day and rekindle a romantic connection.




Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

incipidsigninsetup

"What have you done for me lately".
- Janet Jackson

"I don't want no scrubs"
-TLC

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

- Destiny's Child

These women have been trained into seeing themselves as Queens that need to be served.



All comments from YouTube:

clow2244

Women be like: "it's not enough" "I need more"

incipidsigninsetup

"What have you done for me lately".
- Janet Jackson

"I don't want no scrubs"
-TLC

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

- Destiny's Child

These women have been trained into seeing themselves as Queens that need to be served.

Marcin Eren

And before red pill I thought that something wrong with me cause I'm trying my best but it's never enough always she needs more , now I see lot of men go through this.

clow2244

@Marcin Eren yeah it's refreshing to know we're not alone and it's not us.

Mike Bowers

So true

V R

Sounds like the mind of a pleasure addict who grew up in first world comfort and went unchallenged her entire life.

9 More Replies...

Xavier Small

Here after my girl randomly took me to a restaurant today and paid without me even saying I wanted anything. Women who actually want you will treat you right.

JasWords !

True!

LuisoftheLion

Facts. The sad truth is a lot of men who got it like that are also taking it for granted

JasWords !

@LuisoftheLion Sadly that's true too.

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