If You Only Knew

Shinedown

About If You Only Knew

"If You Only Knew" is the fourth single by American rock band Shinedown from their 2008 album, The Sound of Madness. The music video premiered on October 6, 2009. The song was written about Brent Smith's ex-girlfriend when she was pregnant with their child. Smith has described the song as "their first ballad". The song was used in a promo for ABC's daytime drama One Life to Live. "If You Only Knew" was certified platinum by the RIAA for selling over 1,000,000 copies.


Year:
2011
3:48
80 

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If you only knew
I'm hanging by a thread
The web I spin for you
If you only knew
I'd sacrifice my beating
Heart before I lose you
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
I swear I've lived and learned

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

If you only knew
How many times I counted
All the words that went wrong
If you only knew
How I refuse to let you go,
Even when you're gone
I don't regret any days I
Spent, nights we shared,
Or letters that I sent

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

If you only knew
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
You help me live and learn

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Shinedown

Shinedown is an American hard rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith (vocals), Brad Stewart (bass), Jasin Todd (guitar), and Barry Kerch (drums). A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original members, with guitarist Zach Myers and bassist and pianist Eric Bass. Since Shinedown's inception, they have released four albums – Leave a Whisper (2003), Us and Them (2005), The Sound of Madness (2008), and Amaryllis (2012) – and a total of 15 singles. They have sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. more »

23 fans

Written by: BRENT SMITH, DAVE BASSETT

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origins
"If You Only Knew" is a song by American rock band, Shinedown. It was released as the fourth single from their third studio album, "The Sound of Madness".
Song Meaning
The lyrics of the song reflect the feelings of Brent Smith, the band's frontman, about becoming a father for the first time. The song is about the time when he found out that his girlfriend was pregnant, and he was on the road touring. It expresses his profound sense of loss and longing.
Chart Rankings
Upon its release, "If You Only Knew" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It also reached number two on the Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs, becoming one of the band's biggest hits.
Music Video
The music video for "If You Only Knew" was directed by Hannah Lux Davis. The video features the band performing on a roof-top in New York City while the narrative of a separate couple unfolds throughout the video.
Song Recognition
The emotional depth and melodic sound of the song helped the band to further secure their place in the rock music scene. It also showcased Brent Smith's vocal range and versatility, earning him praise from critics.
Acoustic version
An acoustic version of the song was also released which gives a different feel to the song, particularly highlighting the vocals and the emotional conviction of the lyrics.
Milestone Achievement
"If You Only Knew" was also Shinedown's first single to reach a million digital copies sold. As of September 2020, the song's music video on YouTube has over 90 million views.
Song Composition
Unlike most of Shinedown's other songs, this one follows a more pop-rock structure, combined with lyrics that tell a personal story, which made it stand out and contributed to its success.
Reception
Fans and critics alike lauded the song for its strong, emotionally resonant lyrics, as well as for its impressive vocal performance and memorable hook.
Live Performances
"If You Only Knew" remains a staple of Shinedown's live performances, often moving audiences with its powerful lyrics and melody.

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    If You Only Knew

    38.4M
    197.2K     6,827

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2010

    Billboard #42


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