When I'm Gone
Brenda Holloway Lyrics

What are you gonna do when I'm gone
Asking the listener about their future plans after the departure of the singer.

Whose shoulder are you gonna cry on
Questioning who the listener will turn to for comfort after the singer leaves.

What are you gonna do on the day
Raising the question of how the listener will react on the day of the singer's departure.

When I turn my head and just walk away
Describing the singer's decision to leave the listener behind without any explanation.

What are you gonna say to your friends
Asking the listener how they will explain their behavior towards the singer to their friends.

When the talk around town begins
Referring to the gossip that may arise about the end of their relationship.

Will you tell them how you treated me bad
Questioning if the listener will be honest about their mistreatment towards the singer.

Will you tell them how you made me so sad
Asking if the listener will reveal how their actions affected the singer's emotions.

'Cause you make some people
Implying that the listener's behavior deceives some people about their relationship with the singer.

Think that you love me a lot
Suggesting that some people may believe that the listener truly loves the singer.

But they just don't know you
Implying that those who believe the listener's facade do not really know who they are.

And what they see isn't what we've got
Explaining that the listener's public image does not reflect the true nature of their relationship with the singer.

We're happy in the public eye
Asserting that they seem happy to the public.

They think you're such a wonderful guy
Stating that the public regards the listener as a wonderful partner.

But they don't know how much you've lied
Implying that the listener has been dishonest about their relationship with the singer.

And they don't know how much I've cried
Revealing that the singer has suffered emotionally because of the listener's actions.

You're a real Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Comparing the listener to a character known for having two contrasting personalities.

You make a pass at
Highlighting the listener's tendency to flirt with other people.

Every girl that you see
Describing how the listener tries to hit on every girl they encounter.

Then when they hurt you
Indicating that the listener ends up getting hurt because of their actions.

You come running and crying to me
Describing how the listener seeks comfort from the singer after being hurt by others.

I comfort you whenever you're low
Stating that the singer takes care of the listener when they're feeling down.

And you don't have a place you can go
Expressing that the listener has no one else to turn to for support.

You put your head on my shoulder to cry
Painting a picture of the listener crying on the singer's shoulder.

And then you turn around and tell me a lie
Revealing that the listener is not truthful with the singer.

And I just can't take it
Implying that the singer is no longer able to tolerate the listener's actions.

I've gotta make it now
Asserting that the singer needs to leave the listener's side.

What are you gonna do when I'm gone
Reiterating the question of how the listener will manage after the singer is no longer with them.

And what are you gonna do when I'm gone
Asking the listener to consider their actions and feelings when the singer is gone.

What are you gonna do when I'm gone
Asking one final time how the listener will handle the singer's absence.

What are you gonna do when I'm gone
Repeating the same question for emphasis and closing the song.