I Don't Even Know Myself

Album: Who's Next (1971)
Play Video
  • There's nothing in the way I walk that can tell you where I'm going
    There's nothing in the words I speak that can betray anything I'm knowing
    Don't think about the way I dress, you can fit me on a labeled shelf
    Don't pretend that you know me, 'cause I don't even know myself
    Ooh, I don't know myself

    I don't mind if you try once in a while
    I don't mind if I cry once in a while
    The doors aren't shut as tight as they might seem
    I'm just trying to fight my way out of this dream

    Don't listen to the words I say, weighing up if I'm enlightened
    Don't shiver as you pass me by, 'cause mister, I'm the one who's frightened
    The police just came and left, they wanted me and no one else
    Don't pretend that you know me 'cause I don't even know myself
    Ooh, I don't know myself

    I don't mind if you try once in a while
    I don't mind if I cry once in a while
    The doors aren't shut as tight as they might seem
    And I'm just trying to fight my way out of this dream

    Don't pretend that you know me, 'cause I don't even know myself
    Ooh, I don't know myself

    Do you remember me, I don't remember you
    Do you still love me, you know I think you do
    I have been gone, and some prison warder knows my scream
    I'm just trying to fight my way out of this dream

    There's only five who know my real name
    And my mother don't believe they know it
    What she called me is the way I'm staying
    And no one'll ever know it
    Come on all of you big boys, come on all of you elves
    Don't pretend that you know me 'cause I don't even know myself
    Ooh, I said I don't know myself

    I don't mind if you try once in a while
    I don't mind if I cry once in a while Writer/s: Peter Dennis Blandfor Townshend
    Publisher: Spirit Music Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Leonard Anthony from Reno, NvChristmas comes early, I'm a Big Who fan! I didn't even know... After 50 years (+/-) I just found this song for the first time. Another great tune for the catalog.
  • Tony from UsaPeter was always so flippant about the songs he wrote. Stuff like this comes from the soul, not a reaction to some magazine articles.

    "There's only five who know my real name
    And my mother don't believe they know it
    What she called me is the way I'm staying
    And no one'll ever know it"

    Peter had rough time at home, it's reflected in much of his material if you dig deep enough. Quadrophenia chronicled his time as a teen when all these voices were forming in his head and as close as we will ever get to him. That's all true music is, someone's voice wanting to be heard. I always wonder why Peter always made light of his motivation to write many of his songs. By his own account he was a shy person, perhaps that's why he finds it so hard to admit this stuff comes straight from his gut. A fan since the days of the first pressing of this album. Saw the entire band live once before Keith passed away, many time since.
  • Paul from Cardiff, United Kingdomi would love to know more about this song - one of pete's best - and coupled with WGFA, probably the best single they ever released!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.