Known Like This

"Known Like This"
Single by Ben Kessler
Recorded:	2019
Released:	October 4, 2019
Format:	Digital
Length:	3:23
Writer:	Ben Kessler
Producer:	Ben Kessler
Label:	VYB

"Known Like This" is a song by Ben Kessler that was produced by Mike Shinoda as a part of his ShinodaProduceMe initiative.

Background

The original version of "Known Like This" was written, recorded, produced and mixed by Ben Kessler and released on October 6, 2019. The song explores the difficulty of connecting with others when the essence of your identity is unknown to them. He said, "I moved from Nashville to London for the first half of this year with no real plans, contacts or friends," recalls Kessler of the origins for the new song. "For the first time in a long time I felt unknown. My family, friends, values, interests – all the things that form my identity – felt distant, and were unknown to everyone that I was surrounded by. Meeting new people became a reflective thing; I spent a lot of time thinking about how I want to be known, and how I don't."

Mike Shinoda produced a new version of the song as a part of his ShinodaProduceMe initiative. Kessler had reached out to Mike over Instagram in 2020 and then, on January 25, 2021 the song was picked up by Mike to be produced live on Twitch. Kessler recalls, “He then pulled up a video of me performing an acoustic version of ‘Known Like This’ as an example of the sort of thing he was planning to produce. I immediately hit Mike up to say thanks, and I offered the vocals for [the song]. I love how Mike found a way to make a fairly serious, self-reflective thing feel so positive. I think everyone feels like a stranger to themselves at times…and that’s okay.”.

Music Video

The original version of the song received a video treatment shot by Luke Harvey of Mossflower Pictures at Kessler's house in Nashville. It premiered on November 1st, 2019. He explained, "We didn't shoot with a storyboard; the idea was that we'd capture what came naturally, and that would be the most honest reflection of how I want to be known. While recording, we realized that it is difficult to capture the essence of a person in a singular moment, feeling, outfit, or facial expression. And it’s a paradox to try to act naturally. The finished video is a sort of amalgamation of shots - some happy, some confused, some anxious, some light-hearted, some serious. I guess the answer to “how I want to be known” isn’t just one thing."

Versions

Note: Only the date of the very first release of each version is listed.

Title	Album	Length	Recorded	Released	Notes
Known Like This	Known Like This	3:23	2019	October 4, 2019
Known Like This (Mike Shinoda Mix)	Known Like This (Mike Shinoda Mix)	2:52	2019-2021	April 8, 2021	Produced by Mike Shinoda.

Lyrics

Album Version

No it’s not you
It’s not that neon exit sign
It’s not the way my drink was poured
Not the way it's pouring outside
No it’s not you
Yeah I swear that I'll be fine
Just gonna walk myself home
Think I better call it a night

Heavy on the pavement
Passing smiles and their faces
Oh I smile but I fake it
I wish I could explain this
Feeling that I’m tasting
Cold as its breaking me down
I hope you stay around

Cause I don’t wanna be known like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
Falling out of my body
Breaking while everyone’s watching
Hate feeling alone like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
First one leaving the party
Falling out of my body
I don’t wanna be known like this

Can’t stop thinking ‘bout you
How you’re probably thinking that I’m crazy
Another guy fucked up on something
Who can’t hold a conversation
I swear it’s not true
I could spend all night with you explaining
When the sun comes up and the music fades
I’ll be all alone in the morning

I don’t wanna be known like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
Falling out of my body
Breaking while everyone’s watching
Hate feeling alone like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
First one leaving the party
Falling out of my body
I don’t wanna be known like this

Hope that you see through this (don’t wanna be known like this)
Know that I’m more than this (I hope that you see through this)
Don’t know myself like this (I know that I’m more)
I don’t wanna be known like this

I don’t wanna be known like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
Falling out of my body
Breaking while everyone’s watching
Hate feeling alone like this
I don’t wanna be known like this
First one leaving the party
Falling out of my body
I don’t wanna be known like this

Gallery

• 

  Cover

• 

  Known Like This (Mike Shinoda Mix)

• 

  Ben Kessler and Mike Shinoda

External Links

• Known Like This (Official Audio): YouTube | SoundCloud
• Known Like This (Visual): YouTube
• Known Like This (Mike Shinoda Mix): YouTube