What’ll I Do

Song Meaning

The narrator is grappling with the profound emptiness left by a loved one's absence. The opening lines immediately establish a sense of deep melancholy, a pervasive "blue" that colors their existence when separated. This isn't just a fleeting sadness; it's a fundamental state of being that the narrator doesn't know how to navigate without the other person present. The central tension lies in the narrator's helplessness and the gnawing uncertainty about the absent person's current life. The repeated question, "What'll I do?" underscores a paralyzing lack of agency. It's amplified by the specific fear of the other person being with someone else, "wondering who is kissing you," a thought that clearly causes immense pain and confusion. The lyrics powerfully illustrate the inadequacy of memory and fantasy to fill the void. A "photograph" becomes a hollow confidante, unable to offer solace or answers. Even more devastating is the realization that "dreams of you / That won't come true" offer no comfort, only a stark reminder of the unbridgeable distance and the unfulfilled longing. This raw expression of desolation is effective because it taps into a universal fear of abandonment and the struggle to cope with loss. The simple, direct language and the relentless questioning create a feeling of being trapped in a cycle of grief and unanswered pleas, making the narrator's plight feel intensely immediate and heartbreaking.