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What It Takes
Wynonna Judd Lyrics


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I wanna walk
To no particular destination
I wanna talk
When I got the inclination
I wanna move
When I got the locomotion
I gonna do just what it takes
To keep this smile on my face

I wanna drive my car
Wherever they're driving faster
I wanna sail the ship
As long as I can be the master
I wanna ride the rails
On my own roller coaster
I gonna do just what it takes
To keep this smile on my face

I was born to be this way
Never save for a rainy day
I just like to make it my own way
I wanna be the first to say

Don't wanna work real hard
If it means that I ain't living don't wanna go through life
If there? no room for getting don't wanna stand here long
If it just means I'm a waiting
I gonna do just what it takes
To keep this smile on my face

I wanna drive my car
Wherever they're driving faster
I wanna sail the ship
As long as I can be the master
I wanna ride the rails
On my own roller coaster
I gonna do just what it takes
To keep this smile on my face

Don't wanna change my ways
If there ain't no good reason
Don't wanna change my mind
Without any rhyme or reason
Don't wanna be one way
I got to change like a season
I gonna do what it takes
To keep this smile on my face
I gonna do what it takes
To keep this smile on my face

Overall Meaning

In Wynonna Judd's song "What it Takes," the lyrics express a desire to live life to the fullest and do whatever it takes to maintain happiness. The first verse shows a love for exploration and spontaneity, with the singer looking to walk and talk without purpose or direction, only making moves when they feel inclined. The second verse describes a yearning for adrenaline and excitement, wanting to drive fast, sail a ship, and ride a roller coaster. This love for adventure is further emphasized in the repeated chorus, where the singer declares their desire to do whatever it takes to keep a smile on their face.


However, the bridge of the song takes a slightly more somber turn, hinting at a fear of stagnation and conformity. The singer claims that they were born to be the way they are and don't want to save for a rainy day or change without reason. They don't want to work too hard, but also don't want to be stuck waiting for something better. Ultimately, it seems that the singer values autonomy and self-expression above all else, even if it means occasionally embracing change and taking risks.


Overall, "What it Takes" is a song about embracing life and all the joy and uncertainty that comes with it. It's a call to do whatever it takes to find happiness, even if that means sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone and following your own path.


Line by Line Meaning

I wanna walk
I want to stroll without a specific place to go


To no particular destination
I want to wander aimlessly


I wanna talk
I want to converse when I have the desire to do so


When I got the inclination
When I feel like it


I wanna move
I want to get going


When I got the locomotion
When I have the energy and ability to do so


I gonna do just what it takes
I will do what's necessary


To keep this smile on my face
To maintain my happiness


I wanna drive my car
I want to operate my vehicle


Wherever they're driving faster
Wherever the speed limit is higher


I wanna sail the ship
I want to steer the boat


As long as I can be the master
As long as I am in control


I wanna ride the rails
I want to take a train journey


On my own roller coaster
On a trip that has unpredictable ups and downs


I was born to be this way
I was meant to be like this


Never save for a rainy day
Don't save money for emergencies


I just like to make it my own way
I like to do things according to my own vision


I wanna be the first to say
I want to take the initiative


Don't wanna work real hard
I don't want to put in too much effort


If it means that I ain't living don't wanna go through life
If it hinders my enjoyment of life, I don't want to do it


If there's no room for getting don't wanna stand here long
If there's no opportunity for improvement, I don't want to stay there


If it just means I'm a waiting
If I have to wait without good reason


To keep this smile on my face
To stay happy


Don't wanna change my ways
I don't want to alter my habits


If there ain't no good reason
If there's no valid justification


Don't wanna change my mind
I don't want to alter my stance


Without any rhyme or reason
Without any logical basis


Don't wanna be one way
I don't want to remain stagnant


I got to change like a season
I need to change like the seasons do


I gonna do what it takes
I will do what is necessary


To keep this smile on my face
To maintain my happiness




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brendan Christopher Croker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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