What Do You Do?

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a stark, almost childlike inquiry into daily existence. "What do you do?" is met with a resigned "I don't know," followed by an affirmation of consistent action: "I do it every day." This immediate exchange establishes a core tension, highlighting a disconnect between conscious understanding and routine performance. This tension deepens as the questioning turns to motivation. The speaker again admits a lack of clear purpose, yet firmly states a commitment to continuing, doing it "anyway." The lyrics suggest a stubborn persistence, a quiet acknowledgment of life's inherent momentum pushing us forward even when the "why" remains elusive. It's a knowing ignorance, an acceptance of unconscious drive. The power of these lyrics lies in their relentless, almost hypnotic repetition. Phrases like "I do what I do" become a mantra, transforming a simple statement into a declaration of self-acceptance. This repetition isn't just filler; it mirrors the cyclical nature of routine, making the listener feel the weight and inevitability of these daily actions. The added "indeed I do" lends a surprising conviction to the speaker's otherwise vague self-awareness. The lyrics culminate in a profound shift, moving from individual action to a broader statement of identity and collective experience. The line "I am what I am" elevates the mundane into an existential observation. This expansion from "I" to "we" ("we are what we are, we do what we can") suggests that our actions, even those we don't fully understand, ultimately define us, and that human existence is largely about persistent effort within inherent limitations. The simple language makes this philosophical point hit with surprising force.