What’ll I Do

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of loneliness and longing, centered around the repeated, almost desperate question: "What'll I do?" The immediate emotional tone is one of profound sadness and uncertainty, amplified by the simple declaration "And I am blue." This isn't just a fleeting mood; it's the baseline state when the object of affection is absent. The central tension arises from the narrator's inability to cope with separation. The fear isn't just about being alone, but about the specific anxieties that arise from that solitude. The narrator wonders "who is kissing you," revealing a deep-seated insecurity and a painful awareness of the other person's continued life and potential new connections. The craft here is in its stark simplicity and potent imagery. A "photograph" becomes the sole confidante, a silent, unfeeling object meant to absorb "troubles." This highlights the utter lack of real connection, reducing a tangible memory to a hollow substitute for genuine interaction. The phrase "dreams of you / That won't come true" underscores the futility of the narrator's hopes, cementing the feeling of being trapped. This lyrical construction is effective because it mirrors the feeling of being stuck in a loop of despair. The relentless repetition of "What'll I do?" and the simple, direct language create an overwhelming sense of helplessness. The listener is pulled into the narrator's emotional paralysis, feeling the weight of their unanswered question.