Take It Back to 1998 with "You Don't Know Me" By Armand Van Helden

Ahead of his upcoming set at CRSSD Festival, let’s take things back to 1998 when this iconic house track by Armand Van Helden first hit the airwaves.

With the legend Armand Van Helden playing CRSSD Festival Spring this weekend, it’s only fitting that we reminisce on one of his incredible genre-defining tracks. As one of house music’s original makers, Armand Van Helden has been shaping the scene along with artists like MK and Roger Sanchez since 1993, bringing his funky vibes to clubs and festivals around the world for almost three decades.

While his discography is extensive, one of our favorite tracks that still constantly gets played out today is “You Don’t Know Me,” which combines a groovy four-on-the-floor beat, disco-inspired strings, and Duane Harden‘s soulful vocals throughout. He samples two songs in the track, Carrie Lucas’s “Dance With You” (1979) and Jaydee’s “Plastic Dreams” (1992), bringing together various time periods for a truly wonderful effect.

First released in 1998 on Armed Records, “You Don’t Know Me” has proven its timelessness again and again, never failing to get people dancing and the good times flowing. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear this jam this weekend at CRSSD Festival! Closing out the Palms stage on Saturday, Armand Van Helden is a set that you definitely won’t want to miss. With an artist as seasoned and talented as Armand, this set is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Listen to Armand Van Helden – “You Don’t Know Me” on Spotify:

Armin Van Helden – “You Don’t Know Me” – Lyrics:

You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not living right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life?

I don’t ask for nothing
I’m always holding my own
Every time I turn around, there’s something
People talking ’bout what they don’t know

And when I try to move on up
They’re always pullin’ me down
I’m tired and I had enough
It’s my life, and I’m living it now

You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not living right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life?

I always wonder why people try to hurt me
No happiness in their own lives
So they act out all their jealousy
Who are you to say that I’m living wrong?

Always telling me what to do
I decided that I gotta be strong
What makes you think that I needed you?
You don’t know me
You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not livin’ right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life
You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not living right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life?

Who are you?
You say I’m not livin’ right
Anything I try to do
You haven’t walked in my shoes
I’m gonna move on
It’s my life, it’s my life
It’s my life, it’s my life
It’s my life, it’s my life
Ah

You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not living right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life?
You don’t even know me
You say that I’m not living right
You don’t understand me
So why do you judge my life?