Tally Hall: What We Were Never Meant To Know

In 2011, Tally Hall treated their fans to their second album, “Good And Evil.” A more serious departure from the eccentric tones of Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum six years earlier, this was the marionette quintet’s first attempt at a concept album. Leading off this 14 track followup is a little diddy called “Never Meant To Know.”
Besides just generally being a good song, this opener caught my attention as of late. Even after having listened to it dozens of times over in the last, eh, three, four years, only recently did I really think about what it was really trying to say. As a song, as the beginning of the album, as a piece of music in the context of the world around it. What are the things we are never meant to know?
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[@jarroderwin6989]

I always interpreted this song as a simple man witnessing an eclipse without any prior knowledge of a what an eclipse is and seeing the sun dissappear and all the light be drained from the land he's known his whole life causes him to question everything he's ever been taught only for the eclipse to end, returning everything to normal and causing him to remain ignorant and continue his simple life.

[@ElementFreakYT]

That is a remarkable interpretation, thank you for sharing

[@ludboyjolly7297]

I really love this take, and like other songs of theirs it’s probably both, like how in Taken For A Ride, it’s about a guy going into a strange land on the surface, but it’s also a story of a man who is trying to find a reason to be happy over a long time after his other attempts have gone away. These different takes are what makes me love this band and the community.

[@johndavidrogers9424]

I kind of like this too. I read a comment when listening to You & Me about how that song isn't about a love story but rather about the moon. Kind of plays into the same dynamic/theme your interpretation unearths.

[@lloydmartel]

there is a lot of moon stuff in good & evil so this works

[@saran4783]

I find it so funny that there’s so many political memes in a video about a band who has songs about bananas and chicken clucks

[@ElementFreakYT]

It tends to seep into everything

[@motorwayt-s628]

Well there is the one Banana man theory that suggests that it’s a song about a capitalist rep trying to convince locals in a tropical country to let him use their land for banana production but they turn him down and give him psychedelics

[@skipy2.0]

I would look into the lyrics more. They tend to be more deep than what lies on the surface.

[@nothingclever7582]

@@motorwayt-s628 damn my version of the story was. Man visits tropical place, becomes friend with monkey who teaches him the way of banana, returns home then goes insane because no banana

[@burgerboy8460]

@@motorwayt-s628 that is looking in way too much

[@grayanddevpdx]

I always thought it was, similar to how Joe wrote Ruler of Everything after an intense mental breakdown about the infinite loop of life, Rob likely wrote it after a similar event, but instead thinking about how we were once mere animals, only ever worrying about eating or being eaten. Now we worry about taxes, jobs, and everything else that we created upon ourselves. We overcomplicated the world, we played god, and we made our lives so much harder. There were some things we were never meant to know.

[@Crimson_Dusk]

I've always thought of this song being about existentialism and how it can be overwhelming to individuals who aren't often exposed to thinking about it. But I think this take makes more sense when breaking down the individual lyrics

[@masqueraid988]

I agree somewhat. My reading is that the pov has a simple and understandable life. They then decide to change and leave everything behind. They then are forced to deal with a life without their road map. They then decide that they should go back.

[@zachfromband]

An SCP reference (2:05) in a Tally Hall video? Get this man some subscribers

[@reneholly7994]

You know, if you like Tally Hall, I think you'll like "They Might Be Giants" & "Lemon Demon". I would say that their both Fabloo artists in their own weird way. Also "Lemon Demon" was the same guy who made "The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny".

[@ElementFreakYT]

Mild lemon demon fan, never got too heavy into Tmbg

[@reneholly7994]

@@ElementFreakYT Fair enough. TMBG is pretty weird compared to Tally Hall.

[@timeforamunch2616]

@@ElementFreakYT I think you would like I don't know how but they found me

[@GracefulTube279]

Istanbul not Constantinople!!!!!!!!

[@oipropqewe]

As an extremist tally hall fan, lemon demon was shit My opinion tho

[@darlescharwin5346]

I love the fact that Amber Heard came up when you mentioned that the girl might be manipulating and abusive.

[@cathodez.]

I mostly thought of the song as the good and evil knowledge can do in general, but not with relationships. Starting at the kind of bridge of “and all the parts combined to one”, that always felt like the extraordinary knowledge being unlocked and someone finally grasping the it with its evil truth, but seeing how everything makes more sense, but choosing not to share it because of the burdens and implications the truth has and instead simply telling, pleading to the rest of the world that there are some things we are never meant to know.

[@vannishd]

I really appreciate the work that goes into your tally hall videos despite them having such a small fandom. I consider myself a tally hall superfan, so finding well made video essays like these on the band is like finding treasure

[@dirensatire7928]

Okay cool, Now explain Banana Man

[@GracefulTube279]

Racism......and drugs ig

[@Kamajji]

Holy shit. I was looking shit up about tally hall and i recognise your profile picture from the game pixel place! This is such a mindfuck that i see someone from a small community like pixel place on a very different side of the internet. Great video dude, i subscribed!

[@ElementFreakYT]

Lmao, advertising works

[@xxpromlggamerproxx]

this always happens to me too

[@alecboi777]

we were never meant to know about who the ruler of everything was

[@French_Engineer]

I interpreted the song as humanity's advancements in technology and ever growing knowledge and how our curiosity of things may be a double edged sword

[@mr.cowcrawlerlastname5198]

I was listening to Good & Evil when this came out

[@ElementFreakYT]

🤔 Coincidence?

[@GracefulTube279]

​@@ElementFreakYTI think not!!!!!!

[@masqueraid988]

I read the sound more that their is nothing to go back to. The traditional may be comfortable, but there is no objective way everything is ment to be. No matter how much we want it. The sky is above the earth, but also below and beside it. I read the sound as a person trieing something new, and decideing to go back to how they were, rather than learn the things they were never ment to know. Instead of confronting the questions, they say they shouldn't know the answer and that they should go back. I read the sound very progressively say we need to move forward and confront the hard questions, even if we can never answer them.

[@crustysconsoles6240]

12:38 i always interpreted it as neityer side being completely right its Good & Evil not Good vs Evil and i dont tgink the album is as black & white as the cover. "shame on a martyr claiming friends from either perspective of &"

[@adamhallz]

This is really good Element! I think if you made more of these they'd all be great. Tally hall has many songs worth explaining like Be Born, Ruler of Everything, Mind Electric. You know, those really odd ones that have a dark motif

[@daniellolbo7569]

"what are the things we were never meant to know?" Bro, we are never meant to know.

[@medeas_number_1_fan]

I was watching in my car and the windows system noise nearly busted my speakers, fuckin spooked me

[@ElementFreakYT]

Don’t watch videos and drive! Or if you weren’t watching the video, shame on you! I work hard on those visuals!

[@idkwholizzieis]

stranger than fiction being mentioned in this video actually makes me so happy i literally adore that movie and i didn’t even realize how never meant to know is so stranger than fiction coded

[@ElementFreakYT]

I’d like to claim that as an intentional analytic choice on my part, but the truth is that I had just watched stf before making the video lol

[@idkwholizzieis]

@@ElementFreakYT you know what i can respect that. it must have been a sign. everything plays a part!

[@manvsmanatee1793]

Always love your videos. Can't wait to see you get bigger!

[@ElementFreakYT]

That’s what your mom said

[@Sansfield]

@@ElementFreakYT damn shawty

[@manvsmanatee1793]

@@ElementFreakYT Really killed me like that

[@bubbykrump5580]

wow, looks like humanity sure has a knack for shooting itself in the foot

[@totallyrealcia]

That's an interesting way of looking at it. I'm not sure if I agree entirely with the message being presented, but I can appreciate the video nonetheless. I think Misery Fell would be a good topic to make a video on as well, even though its lyrics are a lot easier to comprehend than this song's.

[@PC10.8]

Would you consider making a video explaining the 9/11 meaning of Hawaii Part ii? I’ve heard about the meaning of the extra track (Variations on a Cloud) and how it relates to 9/11 but personally never heard of the actual album relating to the tragedy. I’m curious to see all you have to say about it and it’s tragic meaning.

[@geor42]

dude, the way you overanalyze lyrics is amazing. I’m serious, your content is sick. Please consider more of these Tally Hall and / or joehawley lyric dissections, I personally think if you did a dissection of Joehawley’s music it’d be a great time. keep doing what you’re doing, it’s cool.

[@calebwilly367]

I think the song is just them saying that us as humans don't gotta know everything or can know everything. As they said, There are somethings we are never meant to know.

[@Ashest52]

2:00 nice Magic the Gathering Golos reference.

[@ElementFreakYT]

Gone too soon

[@Ashest52]

@@ElementFreakYT F in the chat

[@swarm1016]

o7 gone but not forgotten

[@555bunnies]

Woah what an interesting video, I never really put much thought into the meaning of the song but after watching this I've come to appreciate it a lot more! I just discovered your channel and as a big fan of tally hall I really enjoy your content

[@avianly]

remember me when you become famous because wow you need more subscribers. i’m so glad i found this channel, i love all the work that goes into these videos and they always turn out amazing!

[@jerrysmith2354]

this took such a right wing turn for no reason.

[@sortileges5474]

A victim of magic, Apollo.

[@tankthomus]

I listened to the album because I really wanted to try and decode it. Yeah, that didn’t work, so I’m here now accepting my defeat.

[@BAMBAH101]

started out okay, then you went on to act like a victim for no apparent reason

[@ironcove1261]

I’m surprised that you aren’t more popular on KZbin because I really enjoy your videos and how they are things that nobody else on the platform would normally not know or talk aboiy

[@ShaneNotSean69]

beautiful piano track of the song in the background! where did you get it?

[@ElementFreakYT]

In the desc

[@fod-der]

I haven't seen your content in years and the new pixel art surprised me a LOT

[@swarm1016]

Golos at 1:59 🤣, love it

[@floodgates9609]

How do you somehow manage so start off all your vids super strong and then make them incredibly biased???????

[@ElementFreakYT]

Because I am a person with opinions?????? And they’re good??????? And that’s why my videos are good???????

[@rhettcampbell45]

That’s what I’m saying. Like it was going so well and then it went to shit imo

[@LemonPartII]

I always took it as an opening - discussing what’s to come throughout the album, in an admittedly abstract manner, to give a stage for & - which in itself discusses common themes in Good & Evil. It also sets up an atmosphere of mystery, which makes it easier for the following songs to work through said mysteries.

[@panzerdragon1121]

EF does it again and makes a very nice, entertaining video. Keep it up, man.

[@samiran8985]

what if tally hall is an scp?

[@BigBoss_-315]

The trap is my favorite big up zubin

[@radicalredproductions5327]

wow... what a very well thought out and written video. Major props to you guy

[@MikeS-vx3ol]

Interesting interpretation! I wonder what yours would be for Misery Fell

[@lefishe6611]

A town becoming intensly religious completely abandoning all the things they used to hold, this is shown in the lines, "The 'bad guys' surrender their chemistry books at the fair",and "This town without love, too much faith in above, can you feel, the force that it brings not to worry bout things but the stars in the sky, all enjoying their time".

[@benjackson4101]

I love the Tally Hall and related projects analysis!!! Keep up the great work:)

[@RazzBeri1]

Tally hall makes great music, shame there is so little of it.

[@saucelys]

if you’re craving more tally hall, you could check out their demos and side albums :0 there’s always joe hawley joe hawley, miracle musical, edu, and not a trampoline

[@datguyuno98]

2:04 Oh hey this is a pretty cool video so fa- 2:05 GOD DAMNIT NO DONT FUCKING REMIND ME

[@sonnymoorexsonic]

bruh im using mac that windows error sound made me flinch

[@knightlynews2877]

I love how you edit your videos

[@axeburningfire2507]

I don't get why you say it's a relationship. Your points could be used to support the song being about changing carreer path, or moving to a different country, or any other pattern of "protagonist does something new -> enjoy then loses enjoyment -> returns to his original state", not that i agree with this either. IMO, the song is about someone who becomes suddenly depressed after realizing his cosmic insignificance. First Verse, L1-3: Singer is happy, his life is well. First Verse L4-6: Singer becomes depressed. Second Verse L1-3: Singer tries his best to live despite his sadness, but can't escape it. Second Verse L4-6: Singer decides to commit suicide. "Outermost clime", "what I leave in the way behind" The chorus constantly repeats how the world remains unchanged, uncaring to the emotions of humans. That's what set the singer into depression in the first place, realizing how insignificant we are. Hence why "There are some things we are never meant to know", because if you know just how meaningless your life is you won't want to live it anymore. In the last verse, the Singer is delirious from dying and for a brief moment becomes able to see the movement and nature of the universe. I guess that's a win against cosmic insignificance? yay?

[@shanecastleberry4176]

Yesssssssss. Yes

[@carimeslockdownedtree2654]

My interpretation of this song relies heavily on Good Omens. I know that obviously this song can't have been written for it, but it fits so well that no other interpretation makes more sense than that one for me. It's a through the ages. Eden, the Ark, etc etc until the End Times. Throughout, Aziraphale says that there's things they aren't meant to know (you know, ineffable) to explain (or dismiss) his thoughts and worries about the world not being as black and white as Heaven wants him to think, because Crowley is showing him Heaven is wrong, and he doesn't want to admit it, because if he does, then what does he have to stand on anymore? And then it slowly builds up to Crowley and him in the end times, where (SPOILER) both use the same ineffable excuse to stop the end. But it doesn't only show Aziraphale's POV. It also switches to Crowley's and so forth (like with "you have offered to give me life"). I know it doesn't make much sense when written like this but I've had a lot of time thinking about this and even if it doesn't make sense written out, if you watch Good Omens (this fits the show more than the book) and listen to this song, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Please. So it's funny how your interpretation took it in a completely different route as me. While yours was about the main character getting with someone and then realizing their original way of life was better, mine is about someone not letting themself change, to flow, holding onto their previous thoughts and beliefs until it no longer is able to support itself and they're confronted with the truth they'd been ignoring by clinging to their past beliefs.

[@Insert6character4name.]

Me (a logic obsessed pedantic smart@ss who dislikes emotional decisions) realizing I enjoyed a song about love: "Disgrace, humiliation, unseemly and unwelcome at the feet of the council"

[@StaticFanfare]

Very nice.

[@pepsikong9524]

please check out will wood id kill to get an analysis on The Normal Album.

[@ElementFreakYT]

This is fascinating. I’ve never heard anything like this, I may just take you up on that

[@pepsikong9524]

@@ElementFreakYT ive got more if you need them lol. I have a 2200 song playlist on spotify. i might have a problem.

[@kazooplayer3]

Theres a really good video on it already. Knowing this dude he'd probably use it to promote his political beliefs like he did with this song

[@pepsikong9524]

@@kazooplayer3 im mean its just an interpretetation of the album and i like how he presents information soo...... kinda dont care about the politics

[@cronx5480]

Thanks I never really thought much about that song

[@BlissAnimations]

interesting interpretation!

[@tglennash]

do & now!

[@higginswalsan]

Ah so essentially Tally Hall is based Oh never mind

[@burgerboy8460]

A Lady also might be linked to this too

[@funkystudent8577]

Nothin much to say aside from banger vid mr elemental

[@Jegbmf]

I agree with you, just replace a girl with religious beliefs and how the universe works.

[@GrouchyJelly]

Never Meant To Know is my least favorite Good & Evil song. Huh.

[@hpiola]

YERBA MATE

[@waddleburr8048]

Why is traitor written on Mitt Romney's face in the intro?

[@ElementFreakYT]

Why not?

[@waddleburr8048]

@@ElementFreakYT I am curious what made him a traitor. He is a better politician than any of the candidates in 2016 or 2020.

[@TheRealNinjoj]

Good Shit Home G

[@ghostl3]

Neither of the options is wrong, one of them is just harder. Eh, opinions are opinions. whatever

[@crimsoncreamer2390]

You could even say that never meant is... BASED?

[@ElementFreakYT]

You certainly could

[@mr.dappermarsh3213]

I enjoyed the videos, but I fell you sorta felt shoved politics in there. But still really liked the analysis

[@rateeightx]

Wait This Is A Love Song (Sorta)? I Always Thought It Was Just A Song About How, Ya Know, There Are Some Things We Are Never Meant To Know. For Real Though, I'm No Good At Interpreting Metaphors, And Always Interpreted The Lyrics Literally.

[@pepsikong9524]

why did you capitalize every word im gonna puke

[@damienabner9158]

rate eightx I thought alot of there songs where for spiritual meaning for others dealing with problems it's

[@escapefr0mslender]

Same i am schizophrenic and always used this song when I kept thinking about god and stuff this would calm me down a lot

[@kartolul4329]

Banana man

[@vonverna]

Holy based

[@PolarisThePolarized]

Nahhhh RealLifeLore switched content?????

[@njo191]

yo based tally hall???

[@YosisoyalguienCTM]

Creo que soy el único comentario en español :) Buen video

[@kunnandi]

I have 0 clue why you put yourself through this type of stuff, I have to do it by force and I hate it

[@PeetonJazzy]

Noiceeeeeee

[@fleppyflappy8358]

Wait so should i Still listen and support them or not? (Just asking)

[@ElementFreakYT]

Yes

[@fleppyflappy8358]

@@ElementFreakYT i see thank you for responding

[@kazooplayer3]

You should do research and come to your own conclusion.

[@fleppyflappy8358]

@@kazooplayer3 already did i had seen "the Doc"

[@fleppyflappy8358]

@@kazooplayer3 i am aware that "Most" of the information on that doc isn't real but thier are 2 things that has been proven true Transphobic And the conflict of him and other musicians But either way That doc will stay unproven and only accusations

[@BurritoEater]

More people need to hear this message

[@thecassin8r]

Right, Rob Cantor definitely intended to open an album that championed themes of non-polarity and relational complexity with a regressive and implicitly hateful condemnation of people who subscribe to differing modes of interpreting the world to you, especially as informed by a present-day social and political climate that wouldn't emerge in the manner you describe for another decade upon the track''s release. Real shame that an analysis with such a strong opening had to spiral into such absurd nonsense.

[@ElementFreakYT]

“The elites don’t want you to know this but Death of the Author is free. You can do it at home. I have 458 RW interpretations of nominally leftist art.”

[@thecassin8r]

@@ElementFreakYT Seems like a pointless waste of effort to me. Why flimsily masquerade art as something it overtly isn't? Are there no works of beauty that you can appreciate honestly?

[@rowandunning6877]

ok you lost me at 'traditional family values are under attack and tradition is necisarily good actually and gay and poly are bad just cause...they're bad and the Abarhamic faiths are under attack' and whatever the fuck else

[@ElementFreakYT]

Ok?

[@oneyeet]

Yeet

[@CallMeMaurice064]

I think this was a good analysis until you brought up politics