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Do It Clean
Echo And The Bunnymen Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a handful of this
What do I do with it?
I've got a barrel of this
What do I do with it?
I do it clean, I do it clean

Do it clean, do it clean
Know what I mean
Do it clean, do it clean
I know what I mean, I mean

Where am I going
Where have I been
Where are you going
Where have you been
I've been here, I've been there

I've been here, there, everywhere
Here there nowhere
Iszy bitzy witzy itzy everywhere
I've been here and I've been there
I'm clean

I had a handful of this
What did I do with it?
I had a barrel of this
What did I do with it?
I did it clean, I did it clean

Do it clean, do it clean
Know what I mean?
Do it clean, do it clean
I know what I mean

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Echo and The Bunnymen's Do It Clean is a fascinating play on words about cleansing and purification of oneself. The song begins with the phrases "I've got a handful of this" and "I've got a barrel of this" which seem to suggest that the subject has a lot of excess baggage or negative feelings that they are holding on to. The question "What do I do with it?" may imply a sense of confusion or uncertainty of how to deal with the baggage. However, the response is "I do it clean, I do it clean" which suggests a sense of clarity and a desire to purify oneself.


The chorus "Do it clean, do it clean, know what I mean" is a catchy repetition of the same phrase that implies a willingness to let go of any negativity and to start anew. The lyrics "Where am I going, where have I been, where are you going, where have you been" may suggest a sense of introspection and reflection on oneself and others. The phrase "I've been here, there, everywhere" suggests a willingness to go with the flow and to experience life as it comes.


The repetition of "I've been here and I've been there, I'm clean" at the end of the song reinforces the idea of cleansing and purification of oneself. Overall, Do It Clean is a thought-provoking song that speaks to the desire for self-improvement and renewal.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got a handful of this
I possess something I can't quite identify


What do I do with it?
I'm unsure how to utilize what I have


I've got a barrel of this
I have an abundance of something


I do it clean, I do it clean
I handle what I have properly and ethically


Do it clean, do it clean
Handle things properly


Know what I mean
Do you understand?


Where am I going
What direction am I headed?


Where have I been
What has been my past experience?


Where are you going
What direction are you headed?


Where have you been
What has been your past experience?


I've been here, I've been there
I've experienced a lot


I've been here, there, everywhere
I've experienced everything


Here there nowhere
Everywhere and nowhere at the same time


Iszy bitzy witzy itzy everywhere
A playful, nonsensical phrase emphasizing the universality of experience


I'm clean
I've done no wrong


I had a handful of this
I possessed something I couldn't identify


What did I do with it?
I wasn't sure how to utilize it


I did it clean, I did it clean
I handled it ethically and responsibly


Know what I mean?
Do you comprehend?




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN STEPHEN MCCULLOCH, LESLIE THOMAS PATTINSON, PETE DE FREITAS, WILLIAM SERGEANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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