Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of youthful uncertainty, a potent mix of ambition and apprehension. The repeated question, "Yeah, who knows?" hangs heavy over potential futures, from soaring success ("We could both be stars") to utter failure ("We could fall apart"). This isn't about a specific relationship or situation, but a broader existential shrug about the unpredictable nature of life and self-creation. The narrator acknowledges the desire to "Invent who we are," but immediately undercuts it with the pervasive doubt. The central tension lies in the gap between aspiration and agency. The pre-chorus highlights the disconnect between "All the things that we wanna be" and the stark reality of "what do we know?" This feeling is amplified in the chorus, where the only perceived action is a passive "Follow the world as it goes." The repeated phrase "All that we do is" emphasizes a sense of limited control, suggesting that forward momentum is less about deliberate choice and more about simply navigating the current. The most striking aspect of the writing is its relentless use of parallel structure and the titular refrain. The verses present starkly contrasting possibilities – "stars" versus "fall apart," "fall in love" versus "lose it all" – all met with the same resigned "Who knows?" This repetition hammers home the feeling of being adrift, where grand outcomes feel equally likely and equally unknowable. The chorus then offers a slightly more active, though still passive, alternative: "Figure it out as we go." It's a small concession to agency, but framed within the context of simply reacting to external forces. Ultimately, the lyrics resonate because they capture that universal feeling of standing at a crossroads with no clear map. The effectiveness comes from the raw, unvarnished honesty about not having the answers. It's the sound of potential energy without a clear direction, a relatable acknowledgment that sometimes, the best we can do is keep moving and hope for the best, even when the outcome is a complete mystery.