What to Do

Song Meaning

The lyrics to "What to Do" immediately immerse the listener in a profound state of indecision. The repeated refrain, "I really don't know what to do," anchors a pervasive sense of confusion. It's a raw, immediate expression of being utterly lost. The speaker grapples with a fundamental lack of direction. This isn't just simple uncertainty; it's a deep inability to find purpose or act. The verses paint a picture of passive observation, from watching a "scene just fade away" to the desolation of an "empty lot." The emotional core lies in this struggle to connect with meaning, leading to a feeling of detachment from one's own life and surroundings. A striking shift occurs in the bridge, where the perspective briefly flips to a direct address: "You know what to do." This moment of apparent clarity is immediately undercut by the swift return to "you really don't know," creating a powerful irony. It suggests a deep-seated self-deception or an internal battle between fleeting insight and overwhelming confusion, perhaps even the temporary illusion of control found in escapist behaviors. The lyrics effectively capture the modern malaise of feeling adrift. They move from personal confession to a broader observation of coping mechanisms – from passive consumption to seeking solace in superficial interactions with "people that you don't know." The final verse, with its image of the daily grind and the line "It takes time to unfold your faith," hints at a deeper, perhaps spiritual, search for meaning that remains frustratingly out of reach, making the repeated chorus hit even harder.