"Woh, Don't You Know" is a song by James Taylor from his album "Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon" released in 1971. The song is written and performed in Taylor's signature folk-rock style. The lyrics of the song are quite abstract and open to interpretation, but they mainly revolve around the themes of freedom, personal journey, and finding one's place in the world. It seems to depict the restless nature of a wandering soul, always in pursuit of something more. The song begins with references to "Jumping Jim" and "Mud Slide Slim," which could be symbolic characters representing different aspects of one's life. The line "Don't you know that a fish got to swim, don't a goose got to fly high?" emphasizes the natural instincts and desires that drive individuals to seek their purpose. The following lines mention a "little dog" that has to die, implying that in order to move forward and grow, one must leave certain aspects of their past behind. The repetition of "don't you know" throughout the song may signify a plea for understanding or recognition of these deeper emotions. The second verse continues the exploration of the narrator's restless spirit, describing the longing for a life on the streets and the desire to wander. "Highway shoes" represent the nomadic lifestyle and freedom of the open road. The mention of the "walking blues" and "rocking pneumonia blues" suggests a sense of discontent or restlessness that the narrator is trying to escape from. In the third verse, the song addresses the idea of searching for meaning in life, using metaphors like "Sherlock Holmes" and "needle in a haystack." The line "Seeing and eating lots of fatback" can be interpreted as experiencing different aspects of life, both good and bad. The chorus repeats the phrase "Woh, don't you know" as a reminder to the listener to recognize and understand the yearnings and emotions expressed in the song. The closing lines, "You oughta know like a fish in the stream, oughta know like a leaf on the tree, oughta know like a boat in the sea," emphasize the vital importance of understanding one's place in the world and embracing the natural rhythms of life. Overall, "Woh, Don't You Know" is a reflective song that encourages listeners to seek their true purpose, embrace their restlessness, and find their home in the world.
