If You Think It (You May As Well Do It)

Song Meaning

The lyrics capture a potent internal debate about pursuing a romantic interest, despite warnings and potential heartbreak. The narrator grapples with a strong desire to love someone, even when faced with parental advice against it and the fear of getting hurt. This creates an immediate tension between caution and an overwhelming urge to connect. The central conflict lies in the narrator's persistent longing versus the rational voice of experience, both her own and her parents'. She admits, "I can't sleep every night" and "keep on dreamin' of holdin' him tight," highlighting the consuming nature of her feelings. Yet, she also recalls her parents' warnings: "Mama, oh-oh / You told me not to do it" and "Papa, oh / You told me there was nothin' to him." This push and pull between desire and apprehension fuels the song's narrative. A key lyrical device is the insistent repetition of the phrase "May as well, may as well, may as well do it." This refrain acts as a mantra, a rationalization for succumbing to impulse when a thought or feeling becomes too powerful to ignore. It suggests a surrender to fate or desire, a belief that if the inclination is strong enough, resistance is futile. The line "I feel I've loved him already" further complicates this, implying a sense of destiny or pre-existing connection that overrides logical concerns. This song resonates because it articulates the universal struggle between head and heart, particularly in the early stages of attraction. The narrator's acknowledgment of potential error – "Ooh, I may be wrong" – coupled with her resolve to "do it" anyway, captures the vulnerability and bravery inherent in taking emotional risks. The lyrics effectively convey the feeling of being swept away by an emotion, even when aware of the possible consequences.