In “Knowing” by OutKast, the overarching theme is the struggle and consequences of trying to obtain a better life through dubious means. The song navigates the challenges faced by various sections of a neighborhood; teachers, preachers, youngsters on the streets, and households struggling for a day-to-day existence. Their need to deal with an often harsh reality is contrasted by a growing obsession with materialistic desires, illuminating the struggle between values and temptation.
The narrative primarily revolves around a woman’s story, encapsulating her attempt to escape her difficult lifestyle by resorting to devious actions and subjecting herself to exploitation. The narrative underscores that these extrinsic luxuries may not always lead to fulfillment, underscored by the protagonist’s eventual fall from grace. The symbolism of the designer bag and high heels that she desires and procures dissects the shallow aspirations of materialism, as they are gained at the cost of her dignity.
An integral aspect of the song portrays the understanding that everyone seemingly knows about the increasing hardships of life. The struggle of each individual group is pronounced by the repetitive chorus, emphasizing the unanimous realization among all societal constituents that life is likely to get even tougher. Be it the teachers, the preachers, or the sisters at home: everybody seems to comprehend this grim reality. In the same vein, the song highlights how despite this knowledge, people continue making unsound decisions, depicted by the choices made by the protagonist as well as the reference to drug users who persist on their path, regardless of their comprehension of the dangers associated with it.
The song encapsulates a sense of desperation within the community and illuminates the grittier aspects of urban life. It communicates a poignant commentary on societal obsession with materialism, the pitfalls of wrong choices, and the resulting consequences. One can succinctly summarize that Outkast uses “Knowing” to talk about these struggles and pitfalls, working as a social commentary and a cautionary tale. It does not promise a brighter future but instead revelation in the commonality of hardship and the cruciality of learning from others’ experiences and mistakes.