Patrick Watson | Know That You Know
Patrick Watson’s “Know That You Know” - Montreal singer-songwriter crafted a seven-minute meditation on letting go with cinematic orchestration on his breakthrough Love Songs For Robots album.
Story Behind “Know That You Know”
The Mechanical Heart Meets Human Vulnerability
“Know That You Know” emerged as the emotional centerpiece of Patrick Watson’s fifth album Love Songs For Robots, released May 12, 2015. The music was recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and Studio Pierre Marchand in Montreal, marking Watson’s most ambitious production to date. Of the record, some of which was debuted at private concerts in small loft spaces, Watson explained: “I started thinking about things in a very mechanical way” - yet “Know That You Know” represents the album’s most human moment, a seven-minute exploration of the difficulty of letting someone go.
From Montreal’s Intimate Venues to Global Recognition
The Montreal-based singer-songwriter had been building toward this moment of vulnerability throughout his career. As NPR noted, “The Montreal singer-songwriter’s brain seems to overflow with wise and exacting ways to reflect on the way hearts work”, and “Know That You Know” represents perhaps his most direct statement on romantic difficulty. The track’s extended runtime allows Watson to build emotional intensity gradually, moving from whispered confession to soaring orchestral climax in a way that mirrors the psychological process of accepting loss.
“Know That You Know” Recording and Production Details
Capitol Studios and the Art of Cinematic Intimacy
Recorded at the legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles and Studio Pierre Marchand in Montreal, “Know That You Know” showcases Watson’s mastery of what could be called cinematic intimacy. The production balances the grandeur of full orchestration with moments of stark vulnerability, creating a sonic landscape that supports the song’s emotional arc. Watson’s approach to layering vocals, strings, and piano creates a cathedral of sound around his central confession, allowing listeners to inhabit the emotional space he’s creating.
The Seven-Minute Journey and Repetitive Catharsis
With a duration of 7:18, “Know That You Know” uses repetition as both musical device and emotional process. The recurring refrain becomes a meditation on the difficulty of releasing attachment, with each iteration building in intensity and instrumental complexity. Watson’s production philosophy emphasizes organic growth over mechanical construction, despite the album’s robotic themes, allowing the song to breathe and expand naturally across its extended runtime.
Notes About “Know That You Know” by Patrick Watson
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Duration: 7:18
Genre: Indie Folk / Art Pop / Orchestral Pop
Album: Love Songs For Robots (5th studio album)
Position: Track 9 of 10
Recording Studios: Capitol Studios (Los Angeles), Studio Pierre Marchand (Montreal)
Label: Secret City Records
Producer: Patrick Watson
Patrick Watson “Know That You Know” Era Band Details
Album Details
Album: Love Songs For Robots
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Label: Secret City Records
Recording Locations: Capitol Studios (Los Angeles), Studio Pierre Marchand (Montreal)
Album Concept: Mechanical thinking meets human emotion
Critical Reception: Featured on NPR’s First Listen, praised for emotional intelligence
Band Members/Personnel
Patrick Watson - Lead Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Producer
Mishka Stein - Bass Guitar
Robbie Kuster - Drums
Simon Angell - Guitar, Keyboards
Additional Musicians - String arrangements and orchestration (various sessions)
Production Notes
Fifth studio album following previous critical successes
Some tracks debuted at private concerts in small loft spaces before recording
Emphasis on organic instrumentation despite mechanical album themes
Extended track lengths allow for emotional development
Represents Watson’s most orchestrally ambitious work to date
Album available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats
Interesting Facts About “Know That You Know”
The Private Concert Origins
Before its studio recording, “Know That You Know” was among the tracks debuted at private concerts in small loft spaces, giving Watson the opportunity to test the song’s emotional impact in intimate settings. These private performances allowed him to refine the track’s extended structure and understand how audiences responded to its repetitive, meditative qualities. The transition from loft space intimacy to Capitol Studios grandeur mirrors the song’s journey from personal confession to universal statement about the difficulty of letting go.
The Contradiction of Mechanical Love Songs
“Know That You Know” perfectly embodies the central paradox of Love Songs For Robots - how can mechanical thinking produce deeply human music? Watson’s explanation that he “started thinking about things in a very mechanical way” while creating some of his most emotionally direct work suggests that technical precision can actually enhance rather than diminish emotional impact. The song’s carefully constructed repetitions and orchestral builds demonstrate how methodical composition can create space for genuine vulnerability, proving that the most human art sometimes emerges from the most deliberate craft.