I'VE GOT TO KNOW

Live 29 Sep 1996 version



I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

Why do your war ships sail on my waters
Why do your death bombs fall from my sky
Why do you burn my farm and my town down
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know

What makes your bombs haul death to my people
Nitro blockbusters, big cannons and guns
Why can't your boats bring food and some clothing
I've got to know, folks, I've got to know

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

Why can't my two hands get a good pay job
I can still plow and plant, I can still sow
Why did your law book chase me off my good land
I'd sure like to know, friend, I've just got to know

What good work did you do, I'd like to ask you
To give you my money right out of my hands
And I built your big house to hide from your people
Why did you hide so, I'd love to know

You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison
Your hospital's jammed and your crazy house full
And what made your cop kill my trade union worker
You'll have to talk plain 'cause I've sure got to know

Why can't I get work and cash a big paycheck
Why can't I buy things in your place and your store
Why do you close my plant down and starve all my buddies
I'm asking you, sir, 'cause I've sure got to know

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go
Comrades and friends all falling around me
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know


Info

I'VE GOT TO KNOW is a song by Woody Guthrie. See the original Woody Guthrie version for more details.

Live 29 Sep 1996 version

The above lyrics are for the live 29 Sep 1996 performance of I'VE GOT TO KNOW at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH, during a Woody Guthrie tribute concert. The song was played with the concert's all-cast, led by Arlo Guthrie. Bruce Springsteen played guitar and shared vocals with the rest of the cast during the chorus (the parts in italic) and sang lead on one line only (the line in bold).

Ticket stub for the 29 Sep 1996 show at Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH
Ticket stub for the 29 Sep 1996 show at Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH
(Taken from Brucebase)

The 29 Sep 1996 Show

In September 1996 Cleveland's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum and Case Western Reserve University cohosted "Hard Travelin': The Life And Legacy Of Woody Guthrie", a 10-day conference of panel sessions, lectures, and concerts to remember, honor, and celebrate the songs of Woody Guthrie. The conference became the first in what would become the museum's annual American Music Masters Series conference.

The conference concluded on 29 Sep 1996 with an all-star tribute concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH. Billed "Hard Travelin': A Benefit Concert", the Sunday night concert was a collaboration between the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum and the Woody Guthrie Archives. It was hosted by Tim Robbins and featured several performers who came to pay tribute to Woody Guthrie, including Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Billy Bragg, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, and David Priner.

  1. TOM JOAD (solo)
  2. BLOWIN' DOWN THIS ROAD (with Joe Ely)
  3. OKLAHOMA HILLS (with Joe Ely, Arlo Guthrie, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott)
  4. RIDING IN MY CAR (solo)
  5. PLANE WRECK AT LOS GATOS (DEPORTEE) (solo)
  6. ACROSS THE BORDER (solo)
  7. HARD TRAVELIN' HOOTENANNY (with all performers)
  8. I'VE GOT TO KNOW (with all performers)
  9. HOBO'S LULLABY (with Pete Seeger)
  10. THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (with all performers)

The first six songs feature Springsteen solo or in the lead role while the last four songs feature Springsteen in a support/background role.

Live History

I'VE GOT TO KNOW was performed off-tour on 29 Sep 1996 at Severance Hall in Cleveland, OH, during a Woody Guthrie tribute concert. The song was played with the concert's all-cast.

  1. 29 Sep 1996 at Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH

Available Versions

List of available versions of I'VE GOT TO KNOW on this website:

I'VE GOT TO KNOW [Live 29 Sep 1996 version]
I'VE GOT TO KNOW [Original Woody Guthrie version]

Page last updated: 23 Feb 2017