Meaning of "I Knew" by Bonnie Raitt

The lyrics of "I Knew" by Bonnie Raitt delve into the theme of feeling stuck in a situation that is emotionally draining. The speaker expresses a desire for change but finds themselves unable to break free from their current circumstances. They reflect on the past and realize that they knew all along that things wouldn't get better, but still couldn't bring themselves to make a change. The repetition of wanting to run or fly, but ultimately staying put, highlights the internal conflict between the desire for change and the fear of the unknown. The lyric "Stop, stop and take a better look / There ain't no telling what you'll find" serves as a reminder to confront one's issues rather than avoiding them. Overall, the song conveys a sense of resignation and self-awareness about one's inability to make necessary changes.