Never Know

Album: Never/Know (2025)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Never Know" is a love song born out of those moments when life decides to throw a little magic your way, like finding a tenner in an old coat pocket or meeting your future wife on a dating app.
  • The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard did indeed meet his wife Ellie Rose, a singer-songwriter from London, through a dating app for creatively inclined people. They hit it off, and in July 2019, tied the knot.

    This song, the title track of the Never/Know album, is steeped in this spirit of spontaneous beauty. "It's a love song about a cute meet with someone unpredictable," Pritchard said. "I like the idea of it being played in a convertible on a road trip somewhere ridiculous. Because really, you never know."
  • "Never Know" opens with a gentle whistle and a mellow organ line and is surprisingly low-key for a band best known for jangly indie rock bangers.

    But beneath its breezy vibe, "Never Know" is also quietly profound. "You never know when you're going to meet the love of your life," Pritchard mused to NME, "but also when it's all going to end."

    Still, Pritchard insists, it's a hopeful song, a reminder to grab joy wherever you can find it.

    "It's that cliché, 'Smile, and the world smiles with you.' When I met my wife, honestly, I didn't think that was ever going to happen for me," he said. "All of a sudden, you're in a whole new universe, and the simple things are much more beautiful – that's the miracle of life. It doesn't mean it's not hard on the way, but it's about hope."
  • Pritchard co-wrote the song with Swedish songwriters Fredrik Häggstam and Elina Stridh. The latter also contributed background vocals.

    Fredrik Häggstam is a Stockholm-based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include-writing and co-producing "Paris" by The Chainsmokers, which peaked #6 on the Hot 100. Häggstam also runs the publishing company BLNK Music.

    Elina Stridh, professionally known as Elina, is a Swedish singer. Before launching her solo career in 2018, she built a strong reputation as a songwriter, co-writing hits such as NEIKED's multi-platinum single "Sexual" and songs for Astrid S and Hilary Duff.
  • The Never/Know album was largely self-produced by Pritchard, with contributions from The Kooks' guitarist Hugh Harris.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.