I’ll Never Know

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with intense, almost primal imagery of "Fire in a body" and "Fire in a heart," immediately juxtaposing this passion with the simultaneous acts of coming "together" and "apart." This sets a tone of powerful, yet inherently transient, connection. The central refrain then introduces a profound acceptance of the unknowable nature of another. The core tension lies in this duality: the burning intensity of a connection existing alongside its inevitable dissolution. Phrases like "go together / come apart" and "beginning and ending" highlight this constant flux. It's a recognition that even the most fervent bonds are subject to natural cycles of change. The lyrics cleverly use natural phenomena to underscore this theme. The "Tireless, the ocean" with its "out and in" movement mirrors the relationship's ebb and flow. More strikingly, "Nature will conspire / Soon as we begin" suggests that impermanence isn't an external threat, but an intrinsic force woven into the very fabric of existence from the outset. What makes these lyrics resonate is their embrace of mystery and limitation. The repeated declaration, "I'll never know / Every shape you can take," isn't a lament but a quiet acknowledgment of the vast, ever-changing complexity of another person or experience. It suggests a deep appreciation for that multifaceted nature, even as it accepts the impossibility of complete comprehension.