What Does It Mean?

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with the fundamental question of meaning itself, framed by an observation of a singular individual. The repeated refrain, "What does it mean? / I ask you / What does it mean?", sets a tone of profound uncertainty and a search for understanding. This isn't just about the subject's life, but about the very nature of reality and perception, questioning if the internal world of another can ever be truly grasped or validated. The central tension arises from the contrast between the subject's outward actions and her inner state, and how others perceive her. She's described as someone who "likes to go out / And scream an' shot" and "go bachward," suggesting unconventional or even disruptive behavior. Yet, the narrator acknowledges her unique path, stating, "she found her own way / It's difficult and full of mishaps / But she knows what she wants." This creates a dichotomy between societal judgment and personal conviction. The most striking craft element is the juxtaposition of warm and cold imagery to describe the subject. Her "laugher is warm / But her eys are cold," a potent image that evokes a sense of hidden depths or an emotional disconnect. The simile "Like a lake ycan't see the ground, oh still waters run deep" further emphasizes this enigmatic quality, suggesting a complex inner life that defies easy interpretation. Ultimately, the lyrics suggest that meaning is not inherent but created. The narrator observes that "If you give everything a meaning / Oh yeah it will make you happy." This implies that the struggle to understand the subject, and perhaps life itself, is resolved not by finding an external answer, but by the act of assigning meaning. The repeated dismissal by others – "And everybody shook their heads / Lookat her isn't she mad" – highlights the societal tendency to label what is not understood, reinforcing the narrator's quest for a deeper, more personal comprehension.