Baby You Don't Wanna Know – English Lyrics

• By: Sum 41

Lyrics & Translation

"Baby You Don't Wanna Know" by Sum 41 is an energetic rock anthem that offers a fantastic opportunity to dive into the nuances of English rock vocabulary and expression. Its direct, conversational lyrics make it easy to follow along, while its classic rock influences provide a bridge to understanding broader musical styles. Learn how to convey defiance and assertiveness through its memorable lines and catchy chorus, mastering everyday phrases and emotional intensity.

[English]

♪ ♪

♪ I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AND I DON'T WANT TO KNOW ♪

♪ I'VE GOT YOU WHERE I WANT AND I WON'T LET GO ♪

♪ SO GET YOUR KICKS OUT QUICK WHILE YOU STILL GOT TIME ♪

♪ AND THAT'S FINE ♪

♪ I KNOW JUST WHAT YOU'VE DONE I NEED NO ALIBIS ♪

♪ I HOPE YOU HAD YOUR FUN YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO LIE ♪

♪ CAUSE YOU'RE JUST A DRAG AND YOU JUST RAN OUT OF TIME ♪

♪ THAT'S QUITE ALRIGHT ♪

♪ WELL... WELL DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT DON'T BE PROUD ♪

♪ CAUSE BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ WHAT I'M GONNA DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT AROUND ♪

♪ NO BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ I'VE GOT YOU RIGHT WHERE I WANT AND BET YOU ♪

♪ I'M GONNA SET YOU OFF AND I'LL TELL YOU ♪

♪ ANYTHING YOU WANT BUT BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW IT ♪

♪ ♪

♪ BEATS ME BLACK BLUE BUT I CAN'T RESIST ♪

♪ DRAGGING MYSELF THROUGH THIS KIND OF ♪

♪ MASOCHIST BUT I'LL BE FINE LIKE THIS TIL THE ♪

♪ END OF TIME ♪

♪ AND THAT'S QUITE ALRIGHT ♪

♪ WELL DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT DON'T BE PROUD ♪

♪ CAUSE BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ WHAT I'M GONNA DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT AROUND ♪

♪ NO BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ I'VE GOT YOU RIGHT WHERE ♪

♪ I WANT AND BET YOU I'M GONNA SET YOU OFF ♪

♪ AND I'LL TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT ♪

♪ BUT BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ IT'S ALRIGHT I DON'T MIND ♪

♪ CAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT BE OUTTA TIME ♪

♪ WELL DO WHAT YOU WANT BUT DON'T BE PROUD ♪

♪ CAUSE BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ WHAT I'M GONNA DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT AROUND ♪

♪ NO BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ I'VE GOT YOU RIGHT WHERE I WANT AND BET YOU ♪

♪ I'M GONNA SET YOU OFF ♪

♪ AND I'LL TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR ♪

♪ BUT BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ NO NO BABY YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW ♪

♪ ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
know /noʊ/ A2	verb - to be aware of or understand something; to have information about it
want /wɒnt/ A2	verb - to desire to have or do something
done /dʌn/ A2	verb - completed; finished
alibis /ˈæ.lɪ.baɪz/ B2	noun - excuses or defenses to avoid blame, often for not being present or for committing a crime
fun /fʌn/ A2	noun - enjoyment or amusement
lie /laɪ/ A2	verb - to tell a falsehood noun - a false statement
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a measured period during which something happens or is completed
kicks /kɪks/ B1	noun - the act of kicking with the foot; also slang for thrills or fun
alright /ɔːlˈraɪt/ B1	adjective - satisfactory or acceptable
proud /praʊd/ A2	adjective - feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction from achievements or qualities
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the element of a person that thinks, feels, and reasons verb - to be bothered by; to care about; to object to
beat /biːt/ A2	verb - to win against or to strike to make a rhythm
masochist /ˈmæsəˌkɪst/ C1	noun - a person who derives pleasure from their own pain or humiliation
end /ɛnd/ A2	noun - the final part of something; its conclusion
hear /hɪr/ A2	verb - to perceive sound with the ears
bet /bet/ A2	verb - to risk something on the outcome of a contest
set /sɛt/ A1	verb - to put something in a particular place or position; to fix or establish
tell /tɛl/ A2	verb - to express information or words to someone

Key Grammar Structures

• I don't know what you want

  ➔ Simple present negative + indirect question

  ➔ The word "don't" is the contracted form of "do not", used to make a negative statement in the simple present.

• I've got you where I want and I won't let go

  ➔ Present perfect (have got) + modal verb for future (won't)

  ➔ The contraction "I've" stands for "I have", forming the present perfect; "won't" is short for "will not", expressing a future refusal.

• So get your kicks out quick while you still got time

  ➔ Imperative + while‑clause with simple past to indicate present condition

  ➔ "Get" is an imperative verb giving a command; "while you still got time" uses the past form "got" to stress the present availability of time.

• I know just what you've done I need no alibis

  ➔ Present simple + present perfect (you've done) + negative noun phrase

  ➔ "You've" contracts "you have" to form the present perfect "you have done"; "I need no alibis" uses the negative noun phrase "no alibis" to show lack of need.

• You sure know how to lie

  ➔ Simple present + infinitive clause (how to + verb)

  ➔ "How to lie" is an infinitive phrase where "to" marks the verb "lie" as a purpose or method.

• Well... well do what you want but don't be proud

  ➔ Imperative + negative imperative (don't be)

  ➔ "Do" gives a command; "don't be" uses "don't" + base verb to form a negative command, telling someone not to be proud.

• I'll tell you anything you want but baby you don't wanna know

  ➔ Future simple with "will" + present simple in subordinate clause

  ➔ "I'll" is "I will", a simple future; the clause "you want" stays in the present simple because it expresses a habitual or general desire.

• I'm gonna set you off and I'll tell you anything you want to hear

  ➔ "Going to" future (gonna) + infinitive + future simple with "will"

  ➔ "I'm gonna" contracts "I am going to" and expresses a planned future action; "I'll" again is "I will" for a later promise.

• Cause you're just a drag and you just ran out of time

  ➔ Simple present + simple past (ran out) for completed action

  ➔ "You're" is "you are" (present); "ran out" is past simple showing that the time has already been exhausted.