Meaning of "You Think You Know Her" by Cause & Effect

"You Think You Know Her" delves into the notion that true understanding of another person is an elusive feat. The opening lines, "Like Children, Rarely seen and never heard," suggest that the person being described is enigmatic and mysterious, difficult to truly know or understand. They can bare their soul, but the listener will never truly learn from it. The lyrics caution against asking why, as it will only invite lies. Instead, one must adopt a soft, accepting approach to comprehend this person.

Further in the song, there is a sense of regret and loss. The narrator regrets not being able to fully know this person, as they sing, "You think you know her/ But you never really/ Lived a life without her." The lyrics point out that there are so many details about her life that will remain unknown, such as the things she said, the books she read, and the way she looked in the morning. The heaviness of the loss is hinted at in the line, "But you'll never forget the day she ran away."

The second verse reveals a moment of fleeting connection. The narrator finds her, but she turns away, and they are unable to stop her. This encounter highlights the deep emotions the narrator feels for her, as they express, "When she saw me/ I felt so much I cried aloud." However, she remains elusive, and all the narrator is left with is the echo of her laughter, a fleeting memory of her presence.

The repetition of the lines, "The books she read/ The way she looked when the morning came/ The time of night that you held her tight" emphasizes the longing and missed opportunities for understanding. The song ends with the words "Repeat to Fade," suggesting that this cycle of trying to know and losing her will continue indefinitely.

Overall, the lyrics of "You Think You Know Her" delve into the complexities and limitations of truly understanding another person. They touch upon the pain of not being able to fully know someone, the regret of missed opportunities, and the bittersweet longing that comes from losing a person who was once significant in our lives.