Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

What If I Do?
Foo Fighters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back and forth that voice of yours keeps me up at night
Help me search to find the words that eat you up inside
I go side to side like the wildest tides in your hurricane
And I only hide what is on my mind because I can't explain

What if I do love
What if I don't?
I'd have to lose everything just to find you
What if I do love
What if I don't
I'd have to lose everything just to find you

It's my turn this solo burn so throw me in the fire
Trophies earned and lessons learned, my wicked little lies
We can pave new roads with the cold creed stones, wind them through the pines
Should I stay or should I go alone? I cannot decide

What if I do love
What if I don't?
I'd have to lose everything just to find you
What if I do love
What if I don't
I'd have to lose everything just to find you

Carolina, Caroline
Carolina, Caroline

What if I do love
What if I don't?
I'd have to lose everything just to find you
What if I do love
What if I don't
I'd have to lose everything just to find you

Carolina, Caroline
Carolina, Caroline
Carolina, Caroline
Carolina, Caroline

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Foo Fighter's song "What If I Do?" speak about the confusion and uncertainty of being in love. The relationship between the singer and the subject of the song is tumultuous and causes him to lose sleep, searching for the words that will reveal what is eating them up inside. The metaphor of a hurricane and wildest tides describes the intense emotions they both feel, but the singer can't reveal what's on his mind. Despite wanting to love and be with the other person, he is unsure whether he should take that risk or not. The lines "What if I do love, what if I don't? I'd have to lose everything just to find you" encapsulate this conflict the singer is experiencing, where he needs to make a choice and face the potential consequences.


The lyrics also suggest that the singer has had a tumultuous past with the person he loves, as he references "wicked little lies." The verses "It's my turn this solo burn so throw me in the fire, Trophies earned and lessons learned" talk about how he is ready to take a chance and embrace the unknown, but he cannot decide whether to stay or leave the relationship. The chorus repeats this dilemma, emphasizing the struggle of weighing the risks and rewards of love.


Overall, "What If I Do?" is a song about the inner conflict and uncertainty that comes with falling in love, and how it can make someone question their decisions and priorities.


Line by Line Meaning

Back and forth that voice of yours keeps me up at night
Your voice echoes in my head, causing me to lose sleep as I attempt to discern the words you're holding back.


Help me search to find the words that eat you up inside
I want to help you release the words that are tormenting you inside, as they're clearly causing you distress.


I go side to side like the wildest tides in your hurricane
I'm trying to cope with the chaotic energy that emanates from you like a storm, and it's throwing me off-balance.


And I only hide what is on my mind because I can't explain
I'm keeping my own thoughts and feelings to myself because I lack the words to describe them adequately.


It's my turn this solo burn so throw me in the fire
I'm taking on this challenge solo, and I'm willing to risk everything to see it through.


Trophies earned and lessons learned, my wicked little lies
I've lied to myself and others in the past, but I've learned from those mistakes and am now looking to gain something meaningful.


We can pave new roads with the cold creed stones, wind them through the pines
We have the power to create a new path for ourselves, one that may be difficult but ultimately leads us to where we want to be.


Should I stay or should I go alone? I cannot decide
I'm grappling with a decision that may require me to take a leap of faith, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to do it alone.


Carolina, Caroline
Though the meaning behind this repeated line is unclear, it could signify a yearning for something or someone that's elusive.


What if I do love
This line is a rhetorical question, as the artist considers the possibility of loving this person despite the risks involved.


What if I don't?
Similarly, this line is a rhetorical question, as the singer ponders what may happen if they don't allow themselves to love this person and thus miss out on a potentially rewarding relationship.


I'd have to lose everything just to find you
Discovering this person and what they mean to the artist will likely involve taking a huge risk, one that could result in loss and upheaval.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID ERIC GROHL, TAYLOR HAWKINS, NATE MENDEL, CHRIS SHIFLETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

More Versions