Song Meaning
The lyrics present a seemingly simple directive: "Do what you want girl, but be what you are." This isn't a call for reckless abandon, but rather an encouragement to act authentically, suggesting that true self-expression comes from within. The narrator dismisses conventional notions of right and wrong, framing genuine action as a "play from the heart." There's a subtle redefinition of strength here, where giving oneself over to passion isn't weakness, but a powerful act.
The core tension lies in reconciling external desires with internal truth. The narrator questions materialistic pursuits like "hot cars, leather bars" and the perceived authenticity of "earth shoes, Chicago blues." These contrasting images highlight a search for genuine feeling versus superficial validation. The lyrics suggest that true selfhood is not found in external markers but in an internal state, asking "Is that what's real?" and "Is that how you feel?"
The most striking craft element is the inversion of strength and weakness. The narrator claims, "the strong give up and move on / And the weak, the weak give up and sta-ay." This flips conventional wisdom, implying that true strength lies in commitment to one's core self, even if it means staying put or revealing vulnerability, rather than abandoning oneself for external pressures or perceived opportunities. The repeated phrase "you can't conceal / What's deep inside you" reinforces this idea of immutable inner truth.
Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they validate the internal compass. The message is that while external circumstances and societal expectations may shift, the fundamental self remains. The encouragement to "be what you are" and to recognize that "It's your game, it's your deal" empowers the listener to trust their own instincts and embrace their inherent nature, finding freedom in authenticity rather than in conforming to external ideals.
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