Tame Impala

"The Less I Know the Better" is one of Tame Impala’s most acclaimed tracks, released as the fourth and final single from their third studio album, Currents, on November 29, 2015. The song was written, produced, and performed by Tame Impala’s mastermind Kevin Parker, blending psychedelic pop, disco, and funk influences into a distinctive, danceable groove12.

Key Details

• Artist: Tame Impala (Kevin Parker)
• Album: Currents (2015)
• Release Date: November 29, 2015
• Genres: Psychedelic pop, neo-psychedelia, disco, funk, synthpop
• Length: 3:36

Chart Performance & Awards

• Reached top 5 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2015, later named #1 in the Hottest 100 of the 2010s.
• Charted internationally: #23 in Belgium, #66 on the Australian ARIA Chart, and #35 on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs in the US.
• Has surpassed 1 billion streams, demonstrating enduring popularity.

Certifications (Selected)

Lyrics & Themes

The song details the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and jealousy. The central narrative follows a man discovering his love interest is with someone else (named Trevor, to rhyme with "together"), lamenting that sometimes “the less I know the better” for his own sanity314. Key lines reflect resignation and longing:

“She was holding hands with Trevor
Not the greatest feeling ever…
Oh, the less I know, the better”

Themes present include:

• Romantic Disillusionment: The pain of seeing someone you love with another.
• Self-Protection: The desire to avoid painful truths.
• Nostalgia & Heartbreak: Emotional fallback common to Tame Impala’s songwriting.

Sound & Musical Style

• Characterized by a prominent, funky bassline and infectious beat, drawing on disco and funk grooves12.
• Rich, psychedelic synth textures and phased electric pianos underscore Kevin Parker’s ethereal vocals.
• The track is driven at a moderate tempo of roughly 118 BPM and is written in the key of C-sharp minor.
• Critics note both the retro feel reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Thriller era, and the innovative fusion of modern psych-pop.

Music Video

• The official video, directed by the Barcelona-based collective Canada, features a surreal, high school setting blending live action and hand-drawn animation.
• The narrative follows a basketball player’s heartbreak when his cheerleader crush becomes involved with the school’s gorilla mascot, Trevor—a literal and figurative portrayal of jealousy, competition, and lost love.
• Known for its technicolor visuals and blend of humor with pathos.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

• The track is now a staple of streaming platforms and alternative playlists, widely regarded as Tame Impala’s signature song.
• Has inspired remixes, covers, and merchandise, including the tongue-in-cheek “Fuck Trevor” T-shirts referencing the lyrics.
• Its emotional resonance and danceable style have made it a mainstay in indie and pop culture.

Summary Table

"The Less I Know the Better" stands as both an emotional anthem and a dance floor classic, combining retro groove with modern introspection12.

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