Norah Jones: Don't Know Why Meaning
Song Released: 2002
Don't Know Why Lyrics
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...
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1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:Some have attributed this song to Eric Clapton. It was, in fact, written by Jesse Harris - who gave it to Norah Jones.
Clearly, he has arranged to meet his love or crush later in the evening (perhaps at a party) and has been unable to bring himself to go.
Instead he has remained by the sea alone and will now drive off feeling rotten and lonely ("a bag of bones"). Nobody, it seems, knows why he didn't come - least of all his intended date.
Most of us know this feeling, however - of wanting to be with someone but not daring to join them.
For me the "house of fun" line hints that they would perhaps have been in company, expected to have a great time, and that he would somehow have spoiled the evening - perhaps would feel in the way (maybe he suspects she fancies someone else? Or just isn't cool enough).
He has spent all night meaning to show up, and in the end is crying by himself alone on the beach. Maybe he finished off a bottle ("my heart is drenched in wine"): initially dutch courage to get him in the mood for the rendezvous; finally, perhaps, just another reason not to arrive and be an embarrassment.
In the morning light, he has made up his mind that he and his lover will never be together - and believes it will always haunt him. -
Deals with a night of powerfully frustrated sex with a loving attractive partner.. “couldn’t come” meaning couldn’t orgasm. And by morning...nothing.
Left you by the “house of fun” meaning considerable pleasure but sadly no climax. Tried until the sun came up, but felt shame and embarrassment when the realization of “not coming” set in and what this meant about one’s sexuality and inability to please the other or the self.
Began questioning one’s sexuality since this never happened before. Depression and self loathing overtake the person. Just can’t get over it. Maybe somewhere beyond the sexual parameters established by society there can be sensual and sexual fulfillment...but perhaps not.
Perhaps the future holds a lonely sexually disappointed, unhappy life.
Male or female, gay, bi, or straight. -
My interpretation...
Male Version:
I waited until I saw the Sun; He finally found courage,
I dkw I didn't come;
too late now he regretting.
Left you by the house of fun; Left you with my competitions
I dnw I didn't come;
He chickened out
When I saw the break of day; He knew he lost his chance
Wish he could fly away;
Hoping to leave his feelings behind.
Instead of kneeling in the sand, catching tear drops;
Feeling stupid and lonely for not taking the chance on himself.
My heart is drenched in wine you'll be on my mind;
He was drinking all night thinking about her or them
Out across the endless sea, I would die in ecstacy;
I will encounter many lovers in the world, in his life.
But I'll be a bag of bones driving down the road alone;
When its all said and done, I'll be old and alone.
Something has to make you run, I dkw I didn't come;
I don't understand her and I dont know why I chickened out
I feel as empty as a drum;
I feel hollow inside my beating heart
I dkw I didn't come;
I chickened out x 3
Female version...
Well lets just say they end up alone sort of the same way. Even though but her adventures with men were better than the Man's version, unfortunately they left deep jagged holes in her soul than can never be fixed.
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The interpretation by ERICMC is spot on - I've read a lot of crazy interpretations by people obsessed by the sexual ambiguity of the chorus line. The ambiguity is surely intentional but the story is something else.
A lot of people assume that it's a woman's voice since Norah Jones is better known for this song than the male author, Jesse Harris, and they seem to project their own sexual desire for Norah onto the lyrics. They should look a bit harder at the true origins of a work of art before analysing it.
Well done Eric. -
This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
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