The song "I Didn't Know" by Howlin' Wolf tells the story of a man who discovers that his partner has been unfaithful to him. The lyrics express the narrator's shock and disbelief upon learning about his partner's actions. In the first verse, the narrator expresses his ignorance about his partner's activities the previous night, emphasizing that he was unaware of her actions. However, he now knows that she does not treat him well, implying that she has been mistreating him in their relationship. The second verse reveals that the narrator discovered his partner riding with another man in his car the previous night. This revelation further confirms his suspicions of her infidelity. Despite his initial ignorance, he now realizes that she doesn't treat him right. Moving on, the third verse uncovers that the narrator finds out his partner was in New Orleans the night before. This newfound information adds to his understanding that she hasn't been treating him nicely, suggesting that she has been betraying his trust. The final verse emphasizes the narrator's realization that his partner has been loving someone else. He expresses his newfound awareness of her actions and the pain it has caused him. The repetition of "I didn't know" in this verse signifies the narrator's previous ignorance of his partner's infidelity but now acknowledges the truth. Overall, the song portrays the narrator's discovery and acceptance of his partner's betrayal. It conveys the emotions of shock, disappointment, and heartbreak that come with realizing one's partner has been unfaithful.
