Eye Know

Album: 3 Feet High And Rising (1989)
Charted: 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The title comes from the refrain, which is a sample of Steely Dan's 1977 hit "Peg": "I know I love you better." De La Soul also used the whistling from the Otis Redding song "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" on this track, along with much of the instrumentation from the 1969 song "Make This Young Lady Mine" by the Doo Wop group Mad Lads. You can compare this sample with the original at WhoSampled.com.
  • The song is a lyrical love letter to a girl. De La Soul was known for their mellow delivery and liberal use of samples. Otis Redding's whistling from "Dock Of The Bay" also makes an appearance on this song.
  • Posdnous of De La Soul recalled to Rolling Stone: "When me and Dave worked in the mall, we would just hear songs playing in the loudspeakers. They would always play [Steely Dan's] 'Peg' and we were, even then, aspiring to be a group, and we were like, 'Yo, that could be a dope song to use.' So, when it came about time to use it, we took that part 'I know I'll love you better,' we took the Lee Dorsey beat, we used the horns from another Mad Lads record ('Make This Young Lady Mine'), and that was it. It was fun. It was kinda my first time programming a beat."

Comments: 1

  • Myla from San Diego, CaAwesome hip hop song with a positive vibe, not like a lot of misogynistic rap that was beginning to be out there. I also love their play on words and their creative mix of samples. Pure genius.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.