"Knowledge" is a song by American band
Operation Ivy. It was written by lead vocalist
Jesse Michaels and appeared on the album Energy.
During the opening of the song at Operation Ivy's last show at Gilman St. (which was released on the "Lint Rides Again" bootleg), Michaels opens the song by saying that "this song is called 'Knowledge', and it's about growing up."
Popularity and covers
The song is one of the most popular songs by Operation Ivy, and has been covered by many artists, including a notable cover by fellow
Berkeley musical trio
Green Day on their EP Slappy (also featured on the compilation album 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours). When Green Day performs the song live, fans are invited to come on-stage and play instruments. On the Green Day version there is a hidden message when played backwards at the beginning which says "I'm a very stupid person"
The Static Locals have also covered "Knowledge", it was also the first thing they have ever recorded.
Although they have never officially covered it,
Rancid, the later band of Operation Ivy guitarist
Tim Armstrong and bassist
Matt Freeman, often play this song live.
Machine Gun Kelly used a lyric from "Knowledge" on his song "All I Know," released on his 2020 album Tickets To My Downfall. Jesse Michaels confirmed on his Instagram that the members of Operation Ivy had licensed the lyric to Machine Gun Kelly.[2]