All I Want To Know
The Magnetic Fields Lyrics


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All I want to know is do you still want me?
And, if not so, why do you still haunt me
Like a song, like a ghost, all night long?
That's almost all I want to know

All I want to know is can I still need you?
Are we still go, or did I misread you?
I won't settle for less
And that's not yet, I'll confess, all I want to know

I want to know now, on your mother's grave
Is there nothing, nohow, left to save?
Be brave, tell me tonight, or not at all
We don't have to fight
I can make last call, and play a little pinball

All I want to know is, you don't, do you?
Call me slow, but I can't see through you




Count to ten, tell me then
Will you love me again is all I want to know...

Overall Meaning

The Magnetic Fields' "All I Want to Know" is a heart-wrenching track about a lover's plea for answers, sung in an almost matter-of-fact tone by Stephen Merritt. The lyrics begin with the question "All I want to know is do you still want me?" which gets followed up with "And if not so, why do you still haunt me?". The singer feels trapped in a cycle of memory and longing that he can't shake. He compares the feeling to a song that just won't stop playing, or a ghost that refuses to leave.


The lyrics continue with the singer asking whether they are still compatible and whether their love can be rekindled. The line "I won't settle for less, and that's not yet, I'll confess, all I want to know" shows how desperate the singer is for answers, but also how afraid they are of the truth.


The most poignant verse comes towards the end when the singer pleads with their lover to be honest with them. "Be brave, tell me tonight, or not at all. We don't have to fight, I can make last call, and play a little pinball" - the line implies that they could grab one last drink together and enjoy a game of pinball, but the singer doesn't want to continue the charade any longer than necessary. Despite the frankness of the lyrics, there's an underlying sense of hopefulness, as if the singer is holding out for a glimmer of possibility, at least until they get their answers.


Line by Line Meaning

All I want to know is do you still want me?
I am curious if your feelings towards me remain the same.


And, if not so, why do you still haunt me
I am wondering why you still linger in my mind if you don't feel the same way.


Like a song, like a ghost, all night long?
You continue to occupy my thoughts like a haunting melody or lingering spirit.


That's almost all I want to know
This is the main question I have for you right now.


All I want to know is can I still need you?
I wonder if I can still rely on you and if you are still someone I need in my life.


Are we still go, or did I misread you?
I am questioning if the relationship between us is still viable, or if I misunderstood your intentions.


I won't settle for less
I am not willing to accept anything less than what I feel we had or could have.


And that's not yet, I'll confess, all I want to know
These aren't the only questions weighing on my mind, but they are the most pressing.


I want to know now, on your mother's grave
I need to know right away, even though it may seem like a heavy request.


Is there nothing, nohow, left to save?
I am asking if there is any hope for our relationship to continue and grow.


Be brave, tell me tonight, or not at all
I am asking you to be honest and upfront with me about your feelings, whether they are positive or negative.


We don't have to fight
I am hoping we can have a mature conversation about this without any hostility.


I can make last call, and play a little pinball
I am offering a peaceful, enjoyable activity that we can do together after we talk this out.


All I want to know is, you don't, do you?
I am suspecting that you no longer love me, but I need confirmation.


Call me slow, but I can't see through you
I admit that I am having trouble interpreting your actions and words towards me.


Count to ten, tell me then
Take a moment to collect your thoughts, then tell me honestly what you are feeling.


Will you love me again is all I want to know...
This is the root of my questioning and my biggest fear—that you will no longer love me.




Contributed by Mateo F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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