The Not Knowing
Tindersticks Lyrics


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Hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, I'm not listening
When you tell me there's no more words to say
In your voice, hesitation
You quickly light a cigarette and turn away

I'm not crying, up inside I'm smiling
Seen that look in your eye
Jump in your stare
It's a feeling I never saw leaving
Well it's something I don't deserve to have, oh no

[Chorus]
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
It's gone away

And hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'd be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, as our love's flown away
Over the hills on a seagull's wing
Our ideas were like kids in a playground
Now I'm waiting for the bell that never rings





[Chorus:Repeat x2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tindersticks' "The Not Knowing" explore the complexities of a failing relationship. The singer acknowledges their suspicions regarding their partner's actions, wondering where they go late at night and hoping that they are still thinking of the singer. Despite their feelings of mistrust, the singer is not listening when their partner tries to explain the situation, sensing hesitation in their voice. The partner quickly turns away, lighting a cigarette. The singer notes that they are not crying, and "up inside" they are smiling, perhaps because they know that their suspicions have been confirmed.


The chorus emphasizes the title of the song, "the not knowing is easy, and the suspecting, that's okay." It is the certainty of the situation that the singer cannot handle, as they plead with their partner to withhold that information from them. They acknowledge that their love has flown away and their ideas were once like children playing, but now they are left waiting "for the bell that never rings."


The lyrics to "The Not Knowing" are poignant and emotional, capturing the feelings of a relationship on the brink of collapse. The song's slow tempo and melancholic melody add to its power, making it a beautiful and sad meditation on love and loss.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, I've been wondering
I have been thinking and questioning about something


Where you go so late at night
I am curious about where you are going during the late hours


And hey, I've been hoping
I have been wishing for something to happen


You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
I want you to remember me even when it's late or early


And hey, I'm not listening
I am ignoring what you are telling me


When you tell me there's no more words to say
I don't believe that there is nothing left to say


In your voice, hesitation
I am detecting uncertainty in your tone


You quickly light a cigarette and turn away
You avoid facing the situation by smoking and turning away


I'm not crying, up inside I'm smiling
I am not showing my emotions on the outside, but I am actually happy


Seen that look in your eye
I recognize a certain expression in your eyes


Jump in your stare
I feel a sudden change in the way you are looking at me


It's a feeling I never saw leaving
I never expected to lose this feeling


Well it's something I don't deserve to have, oh no
I think I am not worthy of having this feeling


The not knowing is easy
It is easier to not know the truth


And the suspecting, that's okay
It's alright to have doubts


Just don't tell me for certain
I do not want to know the truth for sure


That our love's gone away
I do not want to hear that our love is over


Over the hills on a seagull's wing
Our love has drifted far away like a seagull flying over hills


Our ideas were like kids in a playground
Our thoughts and plans were like children playing happily


Now I'm waiting for the bell that never rings
I am waiting for something that will never come




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALASDAIR MACAULAY, DAVID BOULTER, DICKON JAMES HINCHLIFFE, MARK ANTHONY STEPHEN COLWILL, NEIL TIMOTHY FRASER, STUART ASHTON STAPLES

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

ΧΡΙΣΤΙΝΑ ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ

Hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, I'm not listening
When you tell me there's no more words to say
In your voice, hesitation
You quickly light a cigarette and turn away

I'm not crying, up inside I'm smiling
Seen that look in your eye
Jump in your stare
It's a feeling I never saw leaving
Well it's something I don't deserve to have, oh no
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
It's gone away

Hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, as our love floats away
Over the hills on a seagull's wing
Our ideas will I kiss in a playground
Now I'm waiting for the bell that never rings
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
It's gone away



All comments from YouTube:

Carl Smith

Special people and special music. I had the privilege of touring with them all around Europe and the U.K. between 1992 and 1995. Unforgettably beautiful times. Memories that will never leave my heart and soul. x

Edgar Ruiz

@Carl Smith Muy afortunado amigo, un fuerte abrazo

Sharon Sekhon

this music has gotten me through some very hard times.

Carl Smith

Yes, I was lucky Edgar. They used to add me to the guest-list in case I turned up, bless them. Awesomely talented and classy in their own unique way. Very nice to have spent a little time with them all on a good few occasions.

Edgar Ruiz

La música de esta hermosa banda es una caricia al alma y al corazón. Que afortunado fuiste amigo.

ΧΡΙΣΤΙΝΑ ΘΕΟΔΩΡΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ

Hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, I'm not listening
When you tell me there's no more words to say
In your voice, hesitation
You quickly light a cigarette and turn away

I'm not crying, up inside I'm smiling
Seen that look in your eye
Jump in your stare
It's a feeling I never saw leaving
Well it's something I don't deserve to have, oh no
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
It's gone away

Hey, I've been wondering
Where you go so late at night
And hey, I've been hoping
You'll be thinking of me no matter what the time
And hey, as our love floats away
Over the hills on a seagull's wing
Our ideas will I kiss in a playground
Now I'm waiting for the bell that never rings
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
The not knowing is easy
And the suspecting, that's okay
Just don't tell me for certain
That our love's gone away
It's gone away

caketaster

this is so brilliant and unique. their first 3 albums are stunning, just beautiful

Steven Neville

Possibly one of the greatest songs of all time. That's all.

Andrea Fortunato

La fine di un amore, il préfère ne pas savoir plutôt qu'elle lui dise.
Yes, it's incredibly well written and timeless.

GENE MASTRANGELI

I like The Not Knowing

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