Song Meaning

Radney Foster's "What It Is That You Do" delves into the frustrating, yet intoxicating, dynamic of asymmetrical desire. The song isn't just about unrequited love; it's a dissection of the internal conflict within the object of affection. The narrator is clearly smitten, declaring "I know that I want you/I know that I love you," while lamenting the other person's uncertainty. It's this very hesitancy, this "You don't know what it is/What it is that you do," that forms the core of the song's meaning. It speaks to the magnetic pull of someone who is both captivating and emotionally unavailable. Foster masterfully captures the feeling of being entranced by someone who seems to possess an almost unconscious power. The lyrics evoke a sense of vulnerability, of "dancing with my heart/Barefoot in the moonlight," suggesting a complete surrender to the intoxicating effect this person has. The "innocence poured out for the world" highlights the narrator's willingness to believe in the possibility of reciprocation, despite the other person's emotional guardedness. This vulnerability is contrasted with the other person's fear, painting a portrait of someone wrestling with their own feelings and perhaps, a fear of commitment. The bridge offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that perceived weaknesses can become strengths: "What you thinks wrong/Might be right/What you thinks strong/Might lose the fight." This hints at the possibility that the object of affection's hesitation might stem from a misjudgment of their own feelings or capabilities in love. Ultimately, "What It Is That You Do" is a poignant exploration of longing, uncertainty, and the bewitching power of someone who doesn't fully understand the effect they have on others. Radney Foster doesn't provide answers, but rather, articulates the raw emotional truth of navigating a love that is both desired and denied.