The Dream

Song Meaning

Michael Franks's "What Do I Have to Do?" isn't just smooth jazz; it's a wistful yearning for a better world, draped in the plush sonic textures we expect from him. The song meaning hinges on the contrast between a utopian dreamscape and the harsh realities of the waking world. Franks isn't merely offering escapism; he's holding up a mirror to our collective conscience, asking why the beauty and harmony of his dream can't be our shared reality. The dolphins swimming in a "transparent blue" sea and rainforests shining like emeralds aren't just pretty images; they're symbols of a lost Eden, a world where humanity lives in harmony with nature. This initial verse establishes the core longing that permeates the entire track. It's a primal scream disguised as a sophisticated whisper. The recurring chorus, "Somewhere, somehow, some way, we must hold back the dawn," acts as both a plea and a call to action. The dawn represents the inevitable encroachment of reality, the fading of the dream. Franks urges us to resist this fading, to actively "keep the faith, keep the dream alive." This isn't passive hope; it's a conscious effort to maintain a vision of what could be, even in the face of disillusionment. The second verse expands the dream beyond environmental harmony to encompass social unity: "That we were all one family… Kindness or Compassion" serving as the family name. This speaks to a deep-seated desire for connection and empathy, a world free from the divisions that plague human society. The dream is, in essence, a projection of our highest ideals. The bridge offers a glimmer of hope amidst the longing. Referencing the fall of the Berlin Wall and the struggle against apartheid ("Echoes from Red Square to Soweto town"), Franks acknowledges real-world progress towards freedom and justice. However, this hope is tempered by the persistent question posed in the outro: "Why must it only be just a dream?" This repetition underscores the central tension of the song. It's a lament for a world that remains tantalizingly out of reach, a challenge to listeners to bridge the gap between aspiration and actuality. The beauty of the music, juxtaposed against the melancholic lyrics, creates a powerful emotional resonance, leaving us pondering our own role in shaping a more utopian future.