All I Know

Art Garfunkel's 'All I Know' is a poignant exploration of the fragility and complexity of love. The song opens with the lines 'I bruise you, you bruise me / We both bruise too easily,' immediately setting a tone of vulnerability. This metaphor of bruising suggests that both partners in the relationship are sensitive and easily hurt, yet they continue to love each other despite the pain. The repeated phrase 'I love you, and that's all I know' underscores the simplicity and purity of the narrator's feelings, even when faced with the complexities and challenges of love.

The lyrics also delve into themes of dependency and disappointment. 'All my plans have fallen through / All my plans depend on you' reveals a deep reliance on the partner, suggesting that the narrator's dreams and aspirations are intertwined with their relationship. This dependency can be both beautiful and precarious, as it places immense pressure on the relationship to succeed. The song's refrain, 'When the singer's gone / Let the song go on,' serves as a metaphor for the enduring nature of love and memories, even when the relationship itself may end.

The song's contemplation of endings is particularly striking. 'Endings always come too fast / They come too fast, but they pass too slow' captures the bittersweet reality that while the end of a relationship may come suddenly, the pain and memories linger. The line 'It's a fine line between the darkness and the dawn' suggests a glimmer of hope and resilience, indicating that even in the darkest times, there is potential for new beginnings. Garfunkel's gentle, emotive delivery enhances the song's introspective and melancholic mood, making 'All I Know' a timeless reflection on the enduring power of love and the inevitability of loss.