In 1992, musicians Boh Runga and Andrew Maclaren moved to Auckland from Christchurch. Eventually with other musicians, initially guitarist Joel Haines they formed stellar* in 1994. Originally a three-piece ,they wrote their first single "Ride". This featured in a short film Headlong by Simon Raby. The band in its initial form didn't last. Later Runga and Maclaren came across bass player Kurt Shanks and reformed the band as a four piece.
In 1998 the band signed on with Sony music NZ, later that year they released their first commecial single What you do (bastard). 1999 saw their first album release Mix, then the second-highest selling NZ album ever.
The band officially disbanded in 2010 after releasing their greatest hits compilation.
What Your Heart Don't Know
stellar* Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You by far are the most beautiful
A light to stand in, a copper shine
I'm happy to be here
Of all the words we spill in the air
I've threaded lines but not so you'd hear
I think about you
Oh no, not again
What your heart don't you know won't hurt it
It won't hurt
Oblivious sometimes so perfect
It won't hurt
If your heart don't know
Of every second and then on the hour
I catch myself working you out
Just to know you, oh no not enough
Too much for an addict
Driftwood on a hopeless sea
Sail by, sail by, honey
Oblivious sometimes is worth it
If your heart don't know
These lyrics convey the sweet sense of infatuation that the singer feels towards someone they've just met. The opening line speaks to this - the singer acknowledges that they've met many strangers but this person stands out as the most beautiful. The second and third lines provide imagery to go along with this sentiment - the person is a light, a shining copper color. The singer is happy to be in this person's presence.
The second verse shows the singer's continued interest in getting to know this person. They think about them often, and the repetition of "oh no" suggests both a sense of surprise and a hint of self-deprecation at their own infatuation. The chorus provides a twist - "what your heart don't know won't hurt it." It's a way for the singer to justify their own feelings, to say that even if this person doesn't reciprocate, it won't actually cause any harm. The final lines of the song bring this full circle - sometimes it's better to be oblivious, to not know what's going on beneath the surface. In this case, the singer is content to pine after this person quietly.
Line by Line Meaning
Of all the strangers I've come to know
I have met many people in my life but none compare to you
You by far are the most beautiful
You are the most gorgeous person I have ever met
A light to stand in, a copper shine
You are a bright and shining light in my life
I'm happy to be here
I am content and grateful to be in your presence
Of all the words we spill in the air
We have said many things to each other
I've threaded lines but not so you'd hear
I have said things to you in a subtle way
I think about you
You are constantly on my mind
Oh no, not again
I am feeling overwhelmed by my thoughts of you
What your heart don't you know won't hurt it
You can't be hurt by something you are unaware of
It won't hurt
You won't feel any pain or discomfort
Oblivious sometimes so perfect
Your ignorance is sometimes a good thing
If your heart don't know
As long as you don't know
Of every second and then on the hour
Every moment of every day
I catch myself working you out
I am constantly trying to understand you
Just to know you, oh no not enough
It's not enough to simply know you
Too much for an addict
My desire for you is so strong that it feels like an addiction
Driftwood on a hopeless sea
I feel lost and helpless without you
Sail by, sail by, honey
Please stay with me and don't leave me stranded
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Boh Runga, Kurt Shanks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Geo
5 years has passed... and I'm still here <3
••••••
Me too. I would never forget how I fell in love with this track in 2013/14 :)
li fe
Me too
Nisci
Still a banging song!! ❤️
Fury
One of my favorites tracks.
Ozymandiias
This is good. Like really good.
Death
Cool, thanks!
whynot-tomorrow?
@Yeah We'll Ah It's the underscore key. "_"
Put it at the beginning and end of a word, and the word will be italicized when you upload the comment.
MrTactiful
idk, but this song is still Really good.
Death
How to side wards "really"?