What Would It Take

Song Meaning

Anne Murray's "What Would It Take" isn't just a simple ballad; it's an excavation of emotional blockage. The song meaning centers on a profound disconnect between two people, where traditional methods of communication and intimacy fall flat. Murray's narrator isn't dealing with mere indifference, but a deeply rooted inability to connect, hinting at past traumas or defense mechanisms erected against vulnerability. The repeated questioning—"What would it take to get you closer? What would it take just to stir your soul?"—becomes a desperate plea, not for fleeting affection, but for access to a locked-off inner world. This isn't a surface-level romantic pursuit; it's a confrontation with someone seemingly incapable of receiving or reciprocating love. The lyrics suggest a partner so emotionally walled off that even the most basic sensory experiences – "the night," "the stars," "touch" – fail to penetrate their defenses. The line "maybe you've just never been touched" is particularly loaded, implying a history of emotional neglect or even abuse that has rendered the subject numb. The narrator's desire to "wake you from your deepest sleep" speaks to a desire to jolt this person out of a self-imposed emotional coma. Anne Murray isn't just singing about unrequited love; she's exploring the frustrating and heartbreaking dynamic of loving someone who may be fundamentally unable to love in return. The "deep blue sea" isn't just a metaphor for mystery, but a symbol of the emotional distance that separates them. The "mystery" is not intriguing, but rather a source of pain, as the narrator futilely searches for a key to unlock a heart that may be beyond reach. Ultimately, "What Would It Take" is a poignant exploration of emotional unavailability and the limits of love's transformative power. It raises uncomfortable questions about whether some wounds are too deep to heal, and whether some people are simply too damaged to fully participate in a loving relationship. The song's power lies in its unflinching portrayal of the narrator's struggle to break through these barriers, even as she acknowledges the possibility that her efforts may be in vain.