What Do They Know
Tyler Braden Lyrics
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It ain't gonna take you anywhere"
They know how to make you feel a little bit guilty
'Bout trying to get out of there
They know a guy that'll take you part time
Twelve fifty just starting out
They know it won't be very long
'Til you're turnin' that truck around
And they know how to say you'll never make it on your own
Like they've got an "I told you so" they're savin'
For the day your fadin' red tail lights are headin' back home
And they know how to tell you it'll all go wrong
How to tell you that road's too long, too far
Too damn hard, boy, it ain't nowhere to go
But what do they know?
They know how to tell you my shotgun seat's no place for a girl like you
Know who to think I am, that I ain't the kind of man
You should tie your tomorrows to
And they know that we're settling because we ain't settling
Moving on don't mean moving up
Know that we're going too fast, never gonna last
But baby, they don't know us
They know how to say you'll never make it on your own
Like they've got an "I told you so" they're savin'
For the day your fadin' red tail lights are headin' back home
And they know how to tell you it'll all go wrong
How to tell you that road's too long, too far
Too damn hard, boy, it ain't nowhere to go
But what do they know?
But what do they know?
Well, they know my voice when they hear it on the radio station
That they're playing back home
And they know all the words to the songs I'm singing
And they know they wanna sing along
And they know how to say you'll never make it on your own
Like they've got an "I told you so" they're savin'
For the day your fadin' red tail lights are headed back home
And they know how to tell you it'll all go wrong
How to tell you that road's too long, too far
Too damn hard, boy, it ain't nowhere to go
But what do they know?
What do they know?
Tyler Braden's "What Do They Know" speaks to the experience of small-town living and the judgment that comes with attempting to break out of that mold. The song paints a picture of the well-meaning but misguided individuals who try to hold others back with their negativity, while the singer struggles to pursue his dreams despite their opinions. The lyrics describe how people in small towns often have a narrow-minded view of the world and are hesitant to allow their loved ones to leave, and even those who try to make a change are often dismissed by them. The song suggests that the only way to break free is to ignore those voices and keep moving forward.
In the first verse, the singer speaks about how those living in small towns know everything about everybody. They know the make of your car and its value and will often discourage individuals from leaving. These individuals also instill guilt and make them feel bad about leaving. They know the opportunities available in the town and what individuals may be able to get for work. They believe that it won't be long before the person leaves, realizing that they cannot succeed out in the world.
In the second verse, Tyler Braden sings about how others look down on his partner. They believe that their relationship is a poor choice, and that Tyler is no good for her. They try to dissuade her from staying with him and warn her about the future. However, they don't know how Tyler and his partner feel. They don't know the lengths that they will go to stay together and make their relationship work. In the chorus, the singer questions the negativities voiced by others, asking what they really know because in the end, only he and his partner know what works for them.
Line by Line Meaning
They know how to tell you, "That loaded up Tacoma
It ain't gonna take you anywhere"
They are experts at discouraging you by saying that the vehicle you have is not good enough to take you anywhere.
They know how to make you feel a little bit guilty
'Bout trying to get out of there
They know how to make you feel guilty about wanting to leave the place where you are currently living or working.
They know a guy that'll take you part time
Twelve fifty just starting out
They know it won't be very long
'Til you're turnin' that truck around
They suggest someone who can offer you a low-paying job temporarily and predict that you will soon give up and return home.
And they know how to say you'll never make it on your own
Like they've got an "I told you so" they're savin'
For the day your fadin' red tail lights are headin' back home
They like to tell you that you will fail if you try to make it on your own, and they are eagerly waiting for the day you give up and come back home, so they can say 'I told you so.'
And they know how to tell you it'll all go wrong
How to tell you that road's too long, too far
Too damn hard, boy, it ain't nowhere to go
But what do they know?
They are quick to point out everything that could go wrong with your plans and tell you that you will face too many challenges and obstacles. But in reality, they don't know much about your situation or your dreams.
They know how to tell you my shotgun seat's no place for a girl like you
Know who to think I am, that I ain't the kind of man
You should tie your tomorrows to
They believe that a woman should not sit in the front seat of my car and assume that I am not a suitable man for you to be with in the future.
And they know that we're settling because we ain't settling
Moving on don't mean moving up
Know that we're going too fast, never gonna last
But baby, they don't know us
They assume that we are settling for each other because we couldn't find anyone better, and we won't last. But they don't know our relationship or how much we care for each other.
Well, they know my voice when they hear it on the radio station
That they're playing back home
And they know all the words to the songs I'm singing
And they know they wanna sing along
They recognize my voice and the songs I sing when they hear them on the radio, and they want to sing along with the lyrics they know by heart.
And they know how to say you'll never make it on your own
Like they've got an "I told you so" they're savin'
For the day your fadin' red tail lights are headed back home
And they know how to tell you it'll all go wrong
How to tell you that road's too long, too far
Too damn hard, boy, it ain't nowhere to go
But what do they know?
They keep repeating the same negative comments and discouraging predictions about your future while having little knowledge or understanding of your situation. In the end, what do they really know?
What do they know?
They are quick to judge and criticize without truly knowing your potential or your dreams, so what do they really know?
Writer(s): Aaron B. Scherz, Tyler Braden
Contributed by Kylie B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@breannajones8916
Tyler doesn't have a single song that doesn't hit you directly in the feelings.. He's such an amazing artist who's going to go far!
@NiallHoranspot
Thanks It is my uttermost pleasure seeing your amazing and pleasant comment on my YouTube channel. 😍This really brought great joy to my heart, remain blessed my lovely 🥰❤️❤️ fan, hope you learn a lot from my songs?
@johnpritchard2298
I was told in 2009 by my Mom's Pastor that I would end up in prison in the next 18 months. Here I am 13+ years sober pulling people out the same fire I once lived in on a daily basis. I am humble still because I remember detoxing and how I wanted to die just to die but I survived. Thank you Tyler for this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@!!
@donnebonne
@John Pritchard: it'll be 16 years for me January 30th. Nothing like the sober life is there? When we finally wise up and realize we can't drink like normies. Concede in our innermost being and Give up all illusion that we can. God bless
@stevemccauley5734
If you were humble, you’d never posted…
@CassandraRamos-tp6bd
Thank you for sharing, it gives hope to so many others. ❤
@robertphillips213
Not sober, S.W.I.M. keeps it at .20 and .30 every other weekend or thereabouts. Been keeping that balancing act for 16 years now, no wife, no kids, and no serious relationships (ain't met a girl whom I slept with that I'd trust with a baby, let alone my baby) except the nieces and nephews and litte cousins I help raise from babysitting, fishing, and tracking to hillybilly re-enactments of the French and Indian war using tennis balls soaked in paint on the end of arrows/spears/sticks to act like tomahawks.
@lizvegetus7924
How has this guy not gotten a record deal or more popular? I like every single one of your songs and I don’t care for country music. You sing a million times better than half of the country men artists out there. I only know of you because of that music contest and I was rooting for you to win with your song Seventeen!
@stevemccauley5734
It’s 2023. No artist gives a crap about a record deal. Anyone can produce & sell an album now lol
@aaronfarris8159
He's good for sure, Him, Warren Zeiders, Kameron Marlowe, Bailey Zimmerman & Morgan Wallen are the Next Crop of Young Male Country Stars in a League Of their Own 🥇