Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “I Never Knew You” by The Avett Brothers
“I Never Knew You” by The Avett Brothers is a bittersweet reflection on the pain of letting a relationship go, and its relationship to gaining personal growth. The song illustrates a situation where the protagonist is letting go of an old love and realizing things about themselves that they never noticed before. The narrator has “made it through the fog” and is now on a new path, understanding their own worth.
The first verse relates to the pain that accompanies the end of a relationship. The protagonist speaks of sadness and regret, expressing how they wish they had known and held the person as long as they could. The lyric “satellite of sadness revolved around” symbolizes the want and need for connection to an absent loved one amidst the struggle of letting go.
The chorus of the song is the crux of the realizations the protagonist is understanding. They recognize that the relationship was holding them back and realize even if things don’t turn out the way we wish, it doesn’t mean everything is for naught. The chorus reiterates that the experiences we go through in life are a part of personal growth and that it’s better to understand our own worth rather than dwelling on what we lack.
The second verse talks about the newfound perspective the protagonist has, which has allowed them to move forward. It paints the image of a new horizon where regret fades, understanding arises, and emotion transforms – there, one can gain clarity and accept what has come to pass.
“I Never Knew You” encapsulates an exploration of the grief, anguish, realization and self-empowerment that come with the closing of a chapter in life. The song paints a picture of the growth that can occur when someone transcends and recognizes the amount of character, worth and knowledge they possess that comes with life’s struggles.