Want to Do

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of individuals rebelling against societal or familial expectations to pursue their true passions. Georgia, despite her mother's hopes for a conventional career, yearns for an artistic life in the desert, a stark contrast to her upbringing. Oscar, characterized by his sharp intellect and refusal to be cowed, also seems to operate outside conventional norms. Gertrude, similarly, abandons a comfortable life for a more unconventional path, moving to the Left Bank with B. Toklas. These narratives highlight a powerful drive for self-determination and authenticity. The central tension lies between external pressures and internal desires. Georgia's family wants her to be a "doctor or a barrister," representing a safe, approved future, but her heart is set on being a "painter." Her defiant declaration, "I can do what the hell I want to do," encapsulates this core conflict. Oscar's "razor sharp wit" and refusal to "take anybody's shit" suggest a similar struggle against conformity or criticism, asserting his intellectual independence. The most striking aspect is the recurring theme of decisive departure and self-definition. Georgia "said goodbye to her family" and "moved to the hot southwest." Gertrude "left a good home" and "never looked back." These actions are not tentative; they are definitive breaks from the past, driven by an unshakeable inner compass. The lyrics suggest these characters are forging their own destinies, unburdened by the opinions or expectations of others. This narrative structure is effective because it presents these acts of defiance not as reckless abandon, but as necessary steps toward self-realization. The characters are portrayed as strong-willed individuals who understand their own needs and are willing to make significant sacrifices to meet them. The simple, declarative statements like "I can do what the hell I want to do" resonate because they articulate a universal yearning for freedom and the courage to pursue it, even when it means leaving behind the familiar.