All I Know

Screaming Trees' song 'All I Know' delves into the themes of entrapment, regret, and the desperate need for escape. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who feels trapped by their circumstances, symbolized by the 'thorn that pierce the skin' and the 'cold creeping deep inside.' These metaphors suggest a deep, internal pain and discomfort that the protagonist is experiencing. The repeated need to 'get away' underscores a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the protagonist is on the brink of losing their sanity if they don't find a way out.

The line 'I killed the last way out of this, persuaded by a deceitful kiss' introduces a sense of betrayal and lost opportunities. The 'deceitful kiss' could represent a false promise or a misleading relationship that has led the protagonist further into their predicament. This adds a layer of complexity to the song, suggesting that the protagonist's current state is not just due to external circumstances but also to their own choices and the influence of others.

The chorus, 'All that I know, shoulda been, coulda been, mine,' reflects a deep sense of regret and missed potential. It speaks to the universal human experience of looking back on life and wondering what could have been different. The repetition of 'better stay' and 'gone away' in the latter part of the song emphasizes the internal conflict between the desire to escape and the fear of losing everything. This duality captures the essence of the human struggle between hope and despair, making 'All I Know' a poignant exploration of the complexities of life and the choices we make.