Don't Know Why

Posted by admin - 2002-07-16

(Jesse Harris)
Beanly Songs / Sony / ATV Music Publishing (BMI)

Norah Jones - vocals, piano
Lee Alexander - bass
Jesse Harris - acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Dan Rieser - drums

I waited 'til I saw the sun
I don't know why I didn't come
I left you by the house of fun
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come

When I saw the break of day
I wished that I could fly away
Instead of kneeling in the sand
Catching teardrops in my hand

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Out across the endless sea
I would die in ecstacy
But I'll be a bag of bones
Driving down the road alone

My heart is drenched in wine
But you'll be on my mind
Forever

Something has to make you run
I don't know why I didn't come
I feel as empty as a drum
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come
I don't know why I didn't come

commenti

2008-08-03 04:12:56 - Jan A-J

We lit candles in memory of my Father at his funeral last Friday whilst this song was being played. There wasn't a dry eye amongst us.
This song will be forever in my heart.
Thank you Norah.

2008-07-23 04:14:41 - forgetmenot

I don't know why I feel sad everytime I hear this song, maybe the song represents me.. I've found my love & lost it without knowing why.. regrets, guilts and really I can't move on. His happy now when I am not.. I feel sorry for myself. Eventhough I feel sad whenever I hear this song.. still I want to hear this song, just don't know why

2008-04-25 15:23:39 - Ladylee

Norah keep on singing them songs that just seem to touch the core

2008-03-15 15:49:20 - sweet_sensations1

this song translates to me as regret and sadness because of it. its a really lovely song and i think norah is fantastic

2007-11-22 11:43:48 - driftawy

I needed this song. She just me and i dont know why. I dont know anything at all-i'm still frozen. I especially enjoyed Lisa Statons Inerpretation of the song. Baby- if you read this- come back. I'm lost in you.

2007-10-08 10:51:37 - LisaStanton

My interpretation:

I waited 'til I saw the sun - uncertainty and indecision
I don't know why I didn't come - sometimes you want to but something tells you not to
I left you by the house of fun - you know he's having a good time as always
I don't know why I didn't come - i know i would have had fun with you
I don't know why I didn't come - i missed not seeing you

When I saw the break of day - wow, i've been thinking about this all night
I wished that I could fly away - i need to get out of here
Instead of kneeling in the sand - my heart is torn out
Catching teardrops in my hand - i can't stop crying over you

My heart is drenched in wine - i have been trying to drink away your memory
But you'll be on my mind - but am finding out i can't
Forever - guess i'll always be screwed

Out across the endless sea - of life
I would die in ecstacy - we always want what we know we can't have or what isn't good for us
But I'll be a bag of bones - in depression unable to eat
Driving down the road alone - instead of laughing with you

My heart is drenched in wine - trying to numb the pain
But you'll be on my mind - i don't have a choice
Forever - screwed

Something has to make you run - that voice inside my head won't shut up
I don't know why I didn't come - although i really wanted to
I feel as empty as a drum - without your love my joy is gone
I don't know why I didn't come - i wish i would have
I don't know why I didn't come - i probably should have
I don't know why I didn't come - i may regret it forever

2007-07-17 13:06:19 - Midnightheavens

I think Norah's voice is awesome and her lyrcis are inspiring. I love this song!! It's filled with melancholy and longing. I think this song is about a woman who abandons her child. I guess she felt so pressured she thought she had no other option and now, regrets it because it's too late to get her baby back.

2006-07-31 17:23:35 - muse

I think this is what distinguishes just music (and I'm not trying to minimize any other music here, FYI), from art... aural art. It is, indeed, open to interpretation... again, as good art is :)

2006-07-01 06:51:39 - speck

Well I must say with regards the comments by '2006-02-11 - Stagedork83', I cannot really relate this my two close friends (a couple aged 19 and 21) who committed suicide. I can however relate it to the fact that the person I have loved for 15 years accepted me into her heart very early in the piece, 'I waited til I saw the sun' and then I ran away scared of the magnitude of it all. She's 'on my mind forever'.
Definitely subject to interpretation, doesn't 'have' to be about anything.

2006-04-28 04:28:25 - Lovehim

When I listen to this song, I recognize myself in it lyrics.
"Something has to make you run ....I feel as empty as a drum!"
"My heart is drenched in wine But you'll be on my mind Forever!"
I don't know why I didn't come
I wish I could go back in time. C

2006-03-05 07:31:47 - Oneida

Like all art, these lyrics are open to interpretation, and when you first hear this song it targets emotions relative to your life and experiences you've had with love, relationships, drepression and all those other life difining moments that we all go thru, which might be the same in event, but they are definately completely different in experience.

2006-02-11 00:00:07 - Stagedork83

Im a musical theatre major in college, and Im going to start singing this song in class. I was reading many of the comments about this song, and surprised to find that so many people put the lyrics to a simple love relationship. Is that what everything is about these days? Love and missing out on "true love?" I agree with the people who say this song is about suicide. I mean, listen to the lyrics. True, theyre beautiful, and sad, and regretful, but theyre also full of guilt. You dont feel guilty for not pursuing a relationship, do you? What is there to feel guilty about if the relationship never occured? You feel guilty when a relationship has ended and you never did anything to stop it I lost one of my best friends just after Thanksgiving last year, only a few months ago. This song helps me get through the good times, the bad, and the times when I miss him most. Thank you Norah...

2006-02-04 07:26:14 - diddywadoo

Hmmm...
Great Song. Great Singer.
I relate to the lyrics in "Don't Know Why" as the usual guilt, that burdens us, associated with suicide.
Sometimes we look back in hind-sight and realize the person who is gone forever, may have been saved, with just a little more effort. But we learn too late.
These words ring true, to everyone I have ever met, who experienced a loved one, ending their own life.

2006-02-02 10:07:19 - BArk At The MooN

it's a beautiful song!
I think it's about a guy who misses someone he never had a chance
to be with, maybe because de didn't think he was good enough for her and then he never really went after her. So, now he thinks why he didn't come to her and tried... or not

2006-01-06 09:14:46 - coachprincess

I love this song. I think it is about a woman who is in a relationship with someone who is good but not all that she wants. Even though she doesn't want to hurt them, something is still "missing". Even though it seems as though they should be together something is just not right, she just "don't know why".

2005-06-02 15:56:32 - awtakontrl

i absolutely love this song!! this song can bring me both happy and sad memories. she sings it with true feelings. absolutely love it!!!!

2005-03-20 16:39:07 - teeniebeanie122

this song is so me. i don't know why but it just hits home and everyone and i relate to every word in it. i played it in my last piano recital and it was the most beautiful song there. everytime i here it i close my eyes and stop to listen. i love norah's music it's so inspiring!

2005-03-03 18:46:24 - tiongsonmichelle

the first time i heard this song i never knew that there could be a song who just hits you right on the spot..from then on i became a fan. my husband gave me an album of her with this song and the moment i listened to it is just so me..the way it was written and including teh revival version of Nearness of you.. i just love her song

2004-12-29 03:06:50 - KsweetK

She loves him more than anything or anyone, but she fears that she will only hurt or disappoint him in the end. She knows he would always treat her like a goddess, and love her more than any man ever will. But some thought or fear in her mind keeps her from meeting with him, possibly reuniting with him, as she had promised. She stands him up that night (I left you by the house of fun). Perhaps something is missing for her in the relationship, perhaps she feels she wouldn't treat him as he desrves, or perhaps she feels their relationship is holding him back. But for whatever reason, she thinks it is best to hurt him that night, thereby chasing him away so he never looks back in order to spare him from future sorrow (Something has to make you run). She cries a sleepless night by the ocean, wondering if she's made the right decision--whether she's forgone her only chance at hapiness, whether she'll die alone now--and knowing that she will love him forever.

2004-07-06 20:30:48 - Dan'sGirl

This seems like it was written for me. It describes how i feel sometimes like how i want to run but i don't know why. Norah's voice is so beautiful.

2004-04-15 04:43:55 - rinus

Wonderfull....voice from norah !
I think this is a great music ! say hello to you NORAH from Indonesia.
When you make song about Indonesia ?
Thanks, and we expected your concert in indonesia, of course !

2004-04-02 13:04:21 - pixie_fairy

i love the lyrics to this song...they are so true. "something has to make you run" thats how i feel. i feel like i am always running except when i sing this song for all to hear. my problems seem so big but i know they will pass when i sing this song.

2004-03-21 05:14:17 - Yuna

oh, I love this song!
her songs are full of feeling and that is what I like so much when I hear her.
last week I was invited to the birthday party of a friend and his mother wanted me to sing a song for him.
of course it had to be "don't know why"
everytime when I hear her I have to dream...

2004-01-15 16:20:42 - Stagedweller

*sob* gorgeous album, kinda going thru a lot of stuff right now that could fit in with just about every song on there, all i have to do is pop in this cd and i feel like ive got someone sharing these moments with me. such beautiful lyrics, norah's voice fits it perfectly, i cant wait for the next album to come out!

2004-01-10 11:42:40 - j-pop_girl

I loved this song the first time I heard it. I was thinking of singing it in a choral program, as a solo. Norah has a really pretty voice. It sounds kind of like she's into like jazz/blues category of music.

2004-01-08 09:17:11 - IceQueentje

My dad, 45 years old, used to listen to this song.
Two weeks ago he past away, unexpected.

We have played this song on his funeral ... it was so beautiful.
I wanted to say that we really miss him, every second, every day ... thanks to many memories and many beautifull songs we will never forget him!

Miss you!

2003-12-15 09:13:12 - sKgFiFtEeN

sempre quando ouço-a eu fico pasmado, de tão linda que ela é. Norah fez um ótimo trabalho!

2003-11-07 13:08:42 - emfanyesyes

I like this song..but it doesnt seem like a her bf and her broke up it seems like someone she knew killed him/her self and shes saying like why didnt i come why didnt i stop you ..well everytime i hear it it reminds me of this guy Travis i knew whom killed him self n maybe thats why i think that but ya it is a good song...

2003-10-01 22:54:41 - gmide

When I heard this music, I thought I was dreaming, but when I woke up it was played on the radio, it was a very beautiful voice that I never heard in a long time and I jump out of bed go directly to the music store to get one, but there was this big problem I don't know the title and the artist of this beautiful song. i was so frustated that I walk a mile already thinking what was the title of this song. When I got home I call the station ask the DJ to guess the song, I hum it to him.. WoW , got it its from Norah Jones, Don't know Why... Whew it really made my day.. Keep up the lovely tunes....

2003-08-31 09:55:38 - Abby_Jazz

I love this song!! This is the first song of Norah's that I had ever heard and I fell in love with it. I had to call someone right away to find out who wrote it.

I think that the song is talking about how someone has fallen in love with someone else but she let him go and now that he's gone she will never have him again. She's mad at herself for not going to see him when she could of had the chance to be his. She'd do anything to get him back, but she cannot do it anymore. She will always love him though.

2003-08-22 19:10:57 - daisies400

I normally only listen to rock, but for whatever reason, I seem to love Norah Jones. This is definitely my favorite of all her songs. I love the lyrics and her unique voice.

2003-08-14 07:21:26 - Laterose

This song really reminds me of someone who's only realized they love somebody until they realize they don't have them anymore. I absolutely love this song.

2003-08-08 14:47:53 - LoveThatJazz

She has inspired me as Aaliyah does; even though the sounds are so different! But I love Norah and the different sound is what makes her a favorite for all ages! I love singing myself and I know now that even tho im not the regular "pop singing sensation/american idol," I can make people happy with my music.

2003-08-08 14:47:19 - LoveThatJazz

She has inspired me as Aaliyah does; even though the sounds are so different! But I love Norah and the different sound is what makes her a favorite for all ages! I love singing myself and I know now that even tho im not the regular "pop singing sensation/american idol," I can make people happy with my music.

2003-08-07 15:31:12 - outta_space_alien

wow I have to say I just love this song. I am your number 1 fan ever!!!
Keep up the hard work and go get some awards, you deserve them!! :D

2003-06-17 21:13:32 - devilish_angel69

i just had to say something else about this song! the only reason why i even know about this song is because of my lil cousins talent show i went to-- there was a 4th grader i think that was singing this song and when i heard it i fell in love with it really i did, right after the show went home and downloaded this song cause i loved it soo much-- her beautiful voice is sooooo soothing and relaxing really it is, if you hear it once you'll never want to stop :)

2003-06-17 20:37:46 - devilish_angel69

i love this song, and i think it means that she had a chance with someone special but she didnt take that chance she only had but anyways i still love this song its great!

2003-06-10 18:16:21 - loopy_flea

I Think That this song Is about someone who just didn't want to go somewhere with someone, but she notices later on that she misses him terrribly, and he never leaves her mind. I like this song... alot!!!!!

2003-05-24 06:49:28 - aladiva14

I personally think that Norah is talking about a woman who has failed at several relationships and thinks that she will never find that right person. When she does, she thinks that because she has failed at so many others that she will do something to make this one fail as well. So her conscience sadly chooses to walk away even though her heart has fallen in love. Norah this a beautiful song as is the rest of the album. Hope your next album tops this one!

2003-05-22 05:13:49 - Tiffany

This song reminds me of my best guy friend that I had a crush on from 4th grade through high school! I am now 21(22 June 1st!!) and even though I moved on from him, and became engaged, and then un-engaged; he still has a special place in my heart, and when I hear this song I always think on that one time when he asked me to go with him, and I didn't go, I believe that may have been my one chance to be with him and to this day, "I don't know why I didn't come"

2003-04-23 10:22:44 - sugarCone

Hmmm... I think the story of this song (for me) is about a girl who loves this guy but knows he's not right for her in some way so she doesn't "know why i didn't come" to meet him. "my heart is drenched in wine" maybe that means she keeps trying to forget him but "you'll be on my mind forever".
Well, that's what i think the song means, how about you? :)

2003-04-21 21:13:11 - Patries

does someone know the commucial (without the cd promotion) with the song Don't know why?
hallowapatries@hotmail.com

Patricia Batelaan NL

2003-04-10 19:56:02 - Emoralesahit1

What does this song mean? "Don't know why" I know everyone has their own different perspective, I was hoping to get some people's reply to what they think Norah is talking about?

2003-03-13 14:41:43 - funky_freakette

OMG! when i first heard norah i felt the world stop revolving and space, time, everything just stopped to hear the beautiful amazing voice of this... as bkd said... angel! she is extremely talented and my new idol, i like all sorts of music and jazz hasnt really been a big fav but after hearing norah i cant stop listening to her! shes absolutly brilliant!

2003-02-28 07:49:24 - FunkHouse5

This is where it all started for me last spring. Listening to the radio on the road - top40 radio at that, and hear this fresh new voice. I turned it up; next thing I know I felt like I was listening to her live. To later hear "Don't Know Why" live, it was hard to differentiate the album versus live. Music in its purest form.

2003-02-27 21:16:23 - BKD

Norah speaks to my heart and soul. I haven't been this "turned on" by a singer in so long.
There are angels walking this earth, and Norah is one of them.

2003-02-27 21:15:46 - BKD

Norah speaks to my heart and soul. I haven't been this "turned on" by a singer in so long.
There are angels walking this earth, and Norah is one of them.

2003-02-25 07:34:14 - Lisa177

Song with a lot of heart!

I love "Don't know why" the way Norah sings it is amazing--She is beyond her years! Thanks for making my life happy with this song. The song itself means a lot to me and what is going on in my life.
Lisa

2003-02-04 07:22:24 - cinty

Being her debut Album ... it's the BOMB SH*T!!! ... she's brilliant!!! love all her songs, never get sick of listening to her ... :) .... Listening to her on a rainy day in bed works wonders!!!

2003-01-04 22:53:40 - iloveyou

soothing......

I love to fall asleep to her. beautiful and talented.

2002-12-03 06:49:03 - monieluv

I've loved this song from the first day I heard it. Norah's voice is just so soothing...it relaxes me. I've never really been into jazz, but this song is definitely an exception. I even got my boyfriend hooked on this song. Norah is great! Keep on singing girl!

2002-11-25 15:01:36 - no_poet2002

Can't wait to turn some of my close friends onto this album. Norah's voice is ss unique, almost haunting at times - that's what caught my ear/eye.

2002-11-12 00:49:41 - Jewelllz47

I am addicted to this song. It's not usually my type of music but her voice just blows me away!!!

2002-10-27 14:54:28 - Nanaz

Ive introduced Norah Jones to my friends, here in The Gambia, a small country in West Africa.....she has made a huge splash in all the most exclusive hotspots!!
We all look forward to following her career, enjoying all her music on the way!

2002-09-16 02:36:30 - angel

Friday night we were sitting here listening to a local jazz station. This song was playing. I was amazed by her voice and style. I made it a point to sign on and find out more about her and her music ... and this song in particular. Awesome sound, wonderful song and amazing vocalist. I'll be looking for the mp3 to add to my collection.

2002-08-18 16:56:21 - Dragonfly

My boyfriend dispises this song because I play it so much! I feel sorry that he is coming with me to see her in October!!!

2002-08-06 22:17:28 - mike41

i love this tune i love this album i love norah!

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