The Knowing
The Weeknd Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah

Ay
I know what you did
I know
So I'ma let you taste her
I ain't washing my sins
I ain't washing my sins

Now we're lying about the nights
Hiding it all behind the smiles (ay-ay-ay, ayy)
Take a look at what you did

(Uh, ay)
You probably thought that you'd break my heart (oh, oh-oh-oh)
You probably thought that you'd make me cry
But baby it's okay
I swear it's okay, yeah

'Cause I know everything (everything)
Yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah yeah

Now these tops don't twist like they did before
It's hard to keep me up
And you are done
But baby it don't hurt
Oh, like you thought it would
The more of you, the merrier

(Oh-oh-oh, ooh) Now we're lying about the nights
(Ohh) Hiding it all behind the smiles




Take a look at what you did, ooh hey
You probably thought that you'd break my heart (ooh)
You probably thought that you'd make me cry (ooh)
But baby it's okay
It's okay

Ay, I know everything (everything), yeah hey
Everything, yeah
I know everything (everything), hey
I know everything (everything)

Overall Meaning

In "The Knowing," The Weeknd seems to be speaking directly to a lover who has betrayed him. He sings, "I know what you did, so I'ma let you taste her." He is seeking revenge through infidelity. Moreover, he is also saying that he is not going to wash his sins which might mean that he has committed sins too but he is not going to repent for them. When he sings, "Now we're lying about the nights, hiding it all behind the smiles," he is saying that they are both keeping secrets from one another, and smiling through it all. However, the Weeknd knows everything, and he's not as innocent as she might think.


The song can be interpreted as a reflection on the repercussions of infidelity, and the end of a failing relationship. The Weeknd seems to have come to terms with the pain inflicted by his partner's actions, and is choosing to seek solace through immoral means. The lines, "Now these tops don't twist like they did before, it's hard to keep me up, and you are done, but baby, it don't hurt like you thought it would," suggest that he’s no longer emotionally attached to her and he is moving on with life while enjoying it.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah
The singer expresses excitement and eagerness to share his knowledge.


Ay I know what you did I know So I'ma let you taste her I ain't washing my sins I ain't washing my sins
The singer knows that the person he is addressing has cheated on him and he is letting her know that he knows, while also indicating that he is not going to try and make up for his own indiscretions.


Now we're lying about the nights Hiding it all behind the smiles (ay-ay-ay, ayy) Take a look at what you did
Both parties are now lying to cover up their betrayal, but the singer is suggesting that the other person should take a look at the bigger picture and realize the consequences of their actions.


(Uh, ay) You probably thought that you'd break my heart (oh, oh-oh-oh) You probably thought that you'd make me cry But baby it's okay I swear it's okay, yeah
The person who did the cheating likely thought that they would hurt the singer, but he is assuring them that it's alright and he will be fine.


'Cause I know everything (everything) Yeah I know everything (everything), yeah yeah I know everything (everything), yeah I know everything (everything), yeah yeah
The singer is emphasizing that he knows everything that has happened and there is no way the other person can hide it from him.


Now these tops don't twist like they did before It's hard to keep me up And you are done But baby it don't hurt Oh, like you thought it would The more of you, the merrier
The singer has lost his interest in the other person and is suggesting that they being with other people is not a big deal to him.


(Oh-oh-oh, ooh) Now we're lying about the nights (Ohh) Hiding it all behind the smiles Take a look at what you did, ooh hey You probably thought that you'd break my heart (ooh) You probably thought that you'd make me cry (ooh) But baby it's okay It's okay
The two are still putting on a facade of happiness, but the singer is urging the other person to take a good look at their actions and to realize that he is not as hurt as they thought he would be.


Ay, I know everything (everything), yeah hey Everything, yeah I know everything (everything), hey I know everything (everything)
The singer is once again driving home the point that he is aware of everything and there is no way to hide anything from him.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Abel Tesfaye, Carlo Montagnese, Robin Guthrie, Elizabeth Frase, Simon Raymonde, Martin McKinney

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

@ruwaidahmz4960

I wish if there were private concerts just for the fans who truly appreciate his old music where he sings for us all the sad/dark songs and we all just sit quietly listening to the most beautiful voice we've ever heard.
Here's a wish list:

The knowing
The party & after the party
The birds 2
The zone
High for this
Professional
Coming down
Echoes of silence
Rolling Stone
Wicked games
Gone
in vein
Same old song
Birthday suit (i dnt think he would)
Valerie
Nomads
The list goes on but these r my TOP TOP TOP TOP favorites

now before u attack me
1- English is not my first language
2- I didn't mention new or old fans
I meant all the fans WHO APPRECIATE the old songs of his. I have 2 friends who just started listening to him this year and the deeper they dig into old songs the more the fall in love.

Add your favs



@Dizzle75

I know what you did
I know
So I'ma let you taste her
I ain't washing my sins
I ain't washing my sins

Now we're lying about the nights
Hiding it all behind the smiles
Take a look at what you did
You probably thought that you'd break my heart
You probably thought that you'd make me cry
But baby it's okay
I swear it's okay

'Cause I know everything
I know everything
I know everything
I know everything

Now these tops don't twist like they did before
Tried to keep you out
And you are done
But baby it don't hurt
Oh, like you thought it would
The more of you the merrier

Now we're lying about the nights
Hiding it all behind the smiles
Take a look at what you did, hey
You probably thought that you'd break my heart
You probably thought that you'd make me cry
Baby it's okay
It's okay

I know everything
I know everything
I know everything
I know everything

Because no one can fucking post this



@okniceguy

This is the most meaningful song he's made in my opinion. I lived every syllable, word, and verse of this song.

She lied. So I lied.
She cheated. So I cheated.
She thought I didn't know, but when daily routines and behaviors change, that's the tell-tale sign.
She had his child. That brought tears to my eyes.

So yeah, I hurt, even though I put up the semblance of joy and happiness. 

Best song on this album, out of the entire trilogy for me.



@Anon-ee6ir

Lyrics here:
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, yeah
Ay
I know what you did
I know
So I'ma let you taste her
I ain't washing my sins
I ain't washing my sins
Now we're lying about the nights
Hiding it all behind the smiles (ay-ay-ay, ayy)
Take a look at what you did
You probably thought that you'd break my heart (oh, oh-oh-oh)
You probably thought that you'd make me cry
But baby it's okay
I swear it's okay, yeah
'Cause I know everything (everything)
Yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah
I know everything (everything), yeah yeah
Now these tops don't twist like they did before
It's hard to keep me up
And you are done
But baby it don't hurt
Oh, like you thought it would
The more of you, the merrier
Now we're lying about the nights
(Ohh) Hiding it all behind the smiles
Take a look at what you did, ooh hey
You probably thought that you'd break my heart (ooh)
You probably thought that you'd make me cry (ooh)
But baby it's okay
It's okay
Ay, I know everything (everything), yeah hey
Everything, yeah
I know everything (everything), hey
I know everything (everything)



@NanoDaPlayer

In the distant future the year 16311(666) Abel (The Weeknd) (Depicted as a reincarnation, descendant or genetic recreation of Haile Selassie) is the world leader after Ethiopia became the planets super power and he was given power by aliens (Annunaki?). (Arc of the Covenant which is still rumored to nest in Ethiopia).

He is betrayed by an un-loyal woman (Who sold her body and soul to the devil for wisdom and power) (Or chose to be the flesh rather than the spirit as the entity was also half man half beast) and as a painful revenge turns his body guards on her to do as they please (To her and her two clones?). The woman’s scorn divides the planet into two placing them worlds apart 233km (666). (Ancient text and theory mention things like this happening claiming the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro was connected to another planet of sorts) Vengeful and seeking to destroy him she sends assassins to take his heart and once again remove Selassie from power.

After successfully stealing his heart, the Annunaki return and revive him so that he may retrieve what is his and continue to be the king to the people that he is.

Now depicted as a Christ like figure even the animals submit to him. (Selassie was said to ride a lion as a child) His heart was strong and only knew love, thus it was stronger than the woman’s scorn and hatred.

After the woman’s numerous failed attempts at destroying Abel’s heart he arrives on her planet to retrieve his heart while weeping for her as Selassie is said to weep for his people.

The video goes much deeper and has much more symbolism but that is it in a nut shell.

Side Notes:
Some symbolism that may get overlooked.
•A Centaur is a symbol of the enlightened, those who are aware of the true self. (Those who know everything)
•The Arc of the Covenant is a symbol of ultimate power. The one who controls it controls all.
•Selassie is the embodiment of a black king, and viewed by many as a Christ
•Owl’s represent wisdom (not evil)
•Horns represent the devil.
•666 is NOT an number of evil, rather reference to melanin (carbon) which consists of 6 protons 6 neutrons and 6 electrons. (Melanin frequently viewed as a powerful substance in metaphysical teachings)
•When separated his phallus fell and her valley’s blew baron and cold
•The seal over the mouth represent silence being broken, now he’s telling what he knows. “He knows everything”
•A few hints at what roll Caucasians played in this story, when the seal over their mouth was broken people we murdered.
•Three glowing rings on his hand represent the Holy Trinity. (Haile Selassie means “Power of the Trinity”)
•More obvious are references to the lion of Juda
•A brief clip of an assassins knife passing by as the temple crumbles indicates a set up of sorts

This video deserves a university case study.



All comments from YouTube:

@whysoswirly5579

I moved up to Alaska about a year ago. One night I was driving up north, with this song playing. Suddenly I saw the Northern Lights bright as hell.. I stopped the car, turned up the radio all the way, turned off the lights and layed on the hood of my car.. The feeling that gave me, the way this song enhanced that moment was something I have never felt before. It was like I was in a different world... It truly was amazing.

@Ashton_Rain

Im jealous

@bryanlopez677

Gay

@강공주-n7d

thats fucking awesome

@alison2161

Whysoswirly Awesome!!!

@chrisfoster5266

Wow as I was reading I was trying to picture how amazing that monument must have been and the chill that went over me as this song was playing .......anyway thanks 4 sharing .. !!!

136 More Replies...

@janashm8454

Once you become a weeknd fan , none of other artist's music makes the impact like his music does.

@OGDooshbagg

Aloe Blacc does. Anthony Hamilton does. Krizz Kaliko does. The song Human by Rittz is a great goose bumps song. Can't list 'em all, but there are other artists out there with similar abilities. You just have to look for 'em.

@mugiwara9507

O.D. No

@jayjinx2591

Yeah Became xo years ago.. And I stop listening to others

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