Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “You’ll Never Know” by The Maine
The Maine’s “You’ll Never Know” is a reflective track that sees the band grappling with unresolved issues from the past. The mixture of wistful longing and remorseful regret seems to express the singer’s wish that things could have been different, as well as a desire to make sense of what went wrong.
The song starts with a nostalgic, dreamy melody, featuring swelling synth and gentle guitar chords. Lead singer John O’Callaghan’s croon gently brings out the regret as he sings, “It was only for a moment/ You were part of my life/ I thought that we could be forever/ Now it seems like I was wrong.” These opening lines suggest that the singer was on the brink of a meaningful relationship, but ultimately, it didn’t pan out.
The chorus features the bitter-sweet realization that perhaps the meaning of it all will never be fully understood. The singer laments, “If I ever used to wonder/ What if things could have been different?/ Now I’m sure, I’ll never know.” The chorus also captures the irony in the situation; while the past can never be altered, the very capacity for pain, yearning, and sorrow keeps the memories alive.
The bridge of the song presents the possibility that the experiences of love and loss somehow shape us all. Without casting blame on either person, the singer offers the profoundly honest statement, “We used each other through the ages, but I don’t regret it/ You can learn what love is without breaking it.” The song serves as a reminder to appreciate the moments of happiness and connection, even when the outcome isn’t what you expected.
At its core, “You’ll Never Know” is a reflection of the human experience, of trying and failing and picking up the pieces. The resignation in the singer’s voice brings poignancy to the lyrics, and his willingness to accept the past without judgment conveys respect and understanding for the complexities of life.