The meaning of the lyrics of the song "All I Know" by the artist "Washed Out"

In Washed Out's song "All I Know," the lyrics portray a protagonist grappling with the aftermath of a painful breakup. He remains deeply attached to his former lover, as evidenced by the lines "I see your face on the wall, I hear your voice and I call." Despite the relationship's end, he struggles to let go of the past and move on.

The phrase "I can't be ready for love" suggests that the protagonist fears opening himself up to love again, afraid of experiencing similar pain. He hears his former lover's "fading call" in the silence, sees her pain reflected in her eyes, and understands that she is hurting too.

The lines "You act like everything is alright" and "You say it's time for me to try and move on" imply that perhaps the woman initiated the breakup. She tries to appear strong, but the protagonist senses her pain.

The chorus, "I hear your fading call in the silence… But it's so hard 'cause you're all I know," reflects the depth of his suffering and despair. He understands he needs to let go but finds it impossible because she represents his entire world, "all he knows."