Never Known
Tikaram Tanita Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where everybody was?
Where everybody go?
Well, I'm so sorry boy
I don't really know

Oh, how did you do today?
Well, I'm telling you this much
I might seem like a paying girl
But I've never had enough

Never known
No, I'm never really known
I ain't never shown
To come alive and call my own

I'll never be
Where the sweetness settle me
I ain't seen
Where somebody waits for me

Waste half an evening
Wasted half my time
Just to tell how I'm living this
And keeping us in line

Oh, how did you do today?
Well, it never seems to speak
Yes, I'm sure that I'm keeping this
But it's keeping me too weak

Never known
No, I'm never really known
I ain't never shown
To come alive and call my own

I'll never be
Where the sweetness settle me
I ain't seen
Where somebody waits for me

Old bones steal weakness
Old bones stay sane
All days come on speak to us
You can be what you say
You can be what you say

Air, everybody sings, everybody dreams
Well, you know how it went for me
But it never seemed to mean

Where everybody hides, everybody cries
Where the sweetness settles me
Well you know if you're feeling this
It let's everybody cry

Never known
No, I'm never really known
I ain't never shown
To come alive and call my own

I'll never be
Where the sweetness settle me




I ain't seen
Where somebody waits for me

Overall Meaning

The song "Never Known" by Tanita Tikaram is a reflective and introspective piece about feeling disconnected and alone in the world. The singer is unsure of where everybody is and why they have gone, as if they have all disappeared suddenly. She expresses regret for not being able to give more, even though she feels she comes across as a "paying girl." She feels like she has never been truly known, shown, or able to come alive and find her own place in the world. The singer wishes to find a place where she can be settled and wait for someone to come to her.


In the second verse, the singer talks about wasting her time by keeping things in line and how it is making her feel weak. She has never felt like anyone really understands her or knows who she is. She hopes to find a place where she can belong, where the sweetness can settle her and someone will wait for her.


In the final verse, the singer speaks about old bones stealing weakness and old bones staying sane. She believes that people should be able to be what they say and dreams about a world where everybody sings and dreams. She believes that if people feel what she is feeling, then they will cry.


Overall, "Never Known" is a poignant song that speaks to the feeling of being disconnected from the world and searching for a place to belong. The singer longs for acceptance and connection but feels like she has never been truly understood by anyone.


Line by Line Meaning

Where everybody was?
I'm curious about where everybody is or has gone.


Where everybody go?
I cannot find anybody as they seem to have disappeared.


Well, I'm so sorry boy
I apologize for not having the answer to your question.


I don't really know
I am not aware of the location of everyone you are searching for.


Oh, how did you do today?
I am curious about how your day has been.


Well, I'm telling you this much
I am about to reveal something to you.


I might seem like a paying girl
I may appear to be materialistic.


But I've never had enough
I am not satisfied with my possessions despite my appearance.


Never known
I have never been truly understood or recognized by others.


No, I'm never really known
I have never felt like people truly understand me for who I am.


I ain't never shown
I have never revealed my true self to anyone.


To come alive and call my own
To reveal my true self and live my own life.


I'll never be
I will never find myself in the place I truly belong.


Where the sweetness settle me
A place where I feel content and happy.


I ain't seen
I have not yet discovered or experienced.


Where somebody waits for me
A place where I am truly wanted and appreciated by someone.


Waste half an evening
I have spent my time unproductively.


Wasted half my time
I have wasted a significant amount of my time on something worthless.


Just to tell how I'm living this
Trying to justify my current lifestyle.


And keeping us in line
Conforming to societal norms to avoid criticism.


Well, it never seems to speak
I am not good at verbalizing my emotions and feelings.


Yes, I'm sure that I'm keeping this
I have a strong belief that I am hiding my feelings from others.


But it's keeping me too weak
Keeping my emotions bottled up is taking a toll on my well-being.


Old bones steal weakness
As I age, my strength diminishes.


Old bones stay sane
Despite getting old, I am still of sound mind.


All days come on speak to us
Each day presents an opportunity to communicate with others.


You can be what you say
You have the potential to follow through on your words.


Air, everybody sings, everybody dreams
Everyone has their own unique aspirations and goals in life.


Well, you know how it went for me
I have experienced disappointment in the pursuit of my dreams.


But it never seemed to mean
Despite my struggles, it never felt like I was making progress towards my goals.


Where everybody hides, everybody cries
People tend to keep their emotions hidden and often feel overwhelmed by them.


Where the sweetness settles me
A place or situation where I feel content and happy.


Well you know if you're feeling this
If you relate to what I am saying.


It let's everybody cry
It is important to acknowledge and express one's emotions, even if it leads to tears.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TANITA TIKARAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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