What Can I Do
Brian Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Standing here, all alone
It's plain to see, I'm on my own.
I found my way, there's no disguise,
My direction is in your eyes.
cnd now, can't you see, I can do anything, I can do anything.
Rising up and standing strong,
It's been inside me all a long
I found the courage, I'm here to stay,
Nothing can stop me, it's all the way.
Prophesize this holy tale,
Written in stone and not for sale.
Close the book the stories done,
I'll be remembered as the only one.
With no guar an tee, I can do anything, I can do anything.
c crime in the first degree, I can do anything, I can do anything.
Wishing, waiting, memories, fading
Hollow, voices, velvet, choices
Invoke, visions, split decisions.
Often, drifting, thoughts, up lifting
cnd now, can't you see, I can do anything, I can do anything.
Right now, I believe I can do anything, I can do anything.
The lyrics of Brian Jones's "What Can I Do" convey a powerful message of empowerment, self-belief, and determination. The opening lines, "Whoa ee oh oh!" serve as a sort of primal chant, setting the tone for the song's confident and assertive lyrics. The singer is depicted as standing alone yet undeterred, with a clear sense of self and purpose. The mention of finding one's way without any disguise implies honesty and authenticity in pursuing their goals, with their direction guided by the reflection of their ambitions in someone else's eyes.
As the song progresses, the theme of personal strength becomes more pronounced. The singer recognizes their own capabilities and declares that they can achieve anything. This sense of liberation and freedom is reinforced through the repetition of "I can do anything," emphasizing the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. The imagery of rising up and standing strong suggests a journey of self-discovery and resilience, with an acknowledgment that the inner resources needed to succeed have always been present.
The lyrics take on a more mythic quality as the singer sees their story as a holy tale, not for sale but etched in stone. This imagery evokes a sense of destiny and permanence, with the singer's determination ensuring their place in history as a singular figure. The refusal to be held back by limitations or external factors is emphasized through the proclamation that nothing can stop them, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their path.
The final verses of the song delve into a introspective reflection, touching upon themes of nostalgia, uncertainty, and decision-making. The swirling imagery of memories fading, voices echoing, and choices unfolding adds a layer of complexity to the singer's journey. Despite the challenges and doubts that may arise, the repeated affirmation of "I can do anything" serves as a rallying cry, asserting their belief in their own abilities and resilience. The song ultimately ends on a note of steadfast conviction, with the singer confidently declaring their belief in themselves and their unwavering determination to overcome any obstacles.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
williard billmore
@Robert Shirley The popular thing to say about Brian's singing is that Oldham didn't like Brian so he mixed his singing out of the arrangements out of spite. I have read accounts describing Jones's voice from some recording engineers. It has been called raspy and often off key and has been compared to "Froggy" in the Our Gang comedy movies... wow...
In the early days, mixing his voice out had to be done as it was recorded because all the vocals often shared a single recording track, because of equipment limitations.
On stage Jones had a microphone for playing harmonica but it had to be turned off when he wasn't playing the harmonica to keep his awful voice out of the live mix...
( he seemed to think he could sing)
Soon Oldham had to take Jones' microphone away altogether even on stage.
One sour voice in a vocal harmony makes everyone's singing sound bad and these guys were competing against the perfect three part harmonies of the Beatles! Fortunately Bill Wyman has a strong falsetto voice and he could sing on key. So when a three voice harmony was called for on stage, Bill could fill the need.
The worshipping of Brian Jones is a relatively new phenomenon and younger people love the romantic notion that they have "discovered something" about their parents music calling him the "genius behind their success".
In fact, Jones was by far the least talented and most disposable member of the Rolling Stones... It is evident that they could still write and perform amazing hit records even during the period when Jones became incapable of ANY contributions at all in the studio. That is a testament to the validity of that observation.
In the last couple of years when Brian was still alive, they had effectively become a four piece band. That is when Keith really discovered that the newer recording equipment was capable of overdubbing many guitars by one guy. He found that he could easily make up for Brian's absence, completing the vision he had for his compositions, like in Midnight Rambler, in the studio but not on stage.
Cue Mick Taylor.
Guitar Pilgrim
Napoleon has sometimes been described as a 'flawed genius' that description also suits Brian Jones, the man could surely play some fine slide guitar no doubt. Thanks to all patrons for your support, I will try to post as much as I can the upcoming weeks while moving back to the home land!
Mike Love
@williard billmore A likely story, I'm sure. But the bitter, novel sized rants you regularly post on Jones related content suggest otherwise 🤣
williard billmore
@Mike Love I like where I am, Mike.
I'm still alive and enjoying the good life.
Mike Love
@williard billmore I see your problem now Williard. A quarter of a century of playing in bands, making instruments, all the knowledge you have that dwarfs everyone else's, and yet no one knows you. While Brian Jones, the "no talent druggie" who was only in the public eye for about half a decade, will still be universally regarded as a "flawed genius instrumentalist" long after you and I have gone away. A harsh reality to wake up to every morning, you have my sympathy.
Brendan Brown
@Robert Shirley Wrong - you should read the autopsy mate. Get your facts right. I’ve seen the Rock and Roll Circus. Not his best hour. Kind of blows your theory I’m a fan boy.
Robert Shirley
@Brendan Brown Brian Jones died as a junkie. Watch Rock And Roll Circus. He died 9 months later.
skummelkatt
For those who wants to know more about Brian Jones I recommend Paul Trynka’s excellent book about him. It’s pretty clear that Brian, not being here to give us his side of the story, have had his story told mainly by two guys who bullied him and pushed him into a corner. Two guys who still suffer from guilt and grudge when it came to what happened to him. Brian was as popular as Mick during his time in the band and was the one a lot of people came in contact with when their paths crossed the Stones. Hendrix befriended him, so did Bob Dylan, Gene Clark, Dick Taylor, George Harrison and Nico. He wasn’t the pure evil or constantly drunk/high person some Stones-fans seem to believe he was. He is a classic case of history is written by the winners.
Kenneth Moffat
@williard billmore That's total BS, in my view.
Little Glimmer
For much of 1968 and progressively into 1969 Brian contributed little to the band. He couldn't write songs, he couldn't sing. He lost interest in playing guitar long before and loved the pop star lifestyle as it was in the Sixties. He very much lived on his (considerable) laurels and couldn't be relied on to turn up for recording sessions and his drug convictions made it impossible to tour the US. Earlier in the Sixties he missed dates, particularly in the US, and Keith had to make up for his absence. I know from my days in bands that members not turning up for gigs is incredibly damaging and often it gets to a case of losing a member or the band folds. Without Jagger and Richards taking control and driving the band forward the Stones would have broken up. If there is any blame to be laid perhaps we should consider Andrew Oldhams' strategy of pushing Brian out of the triangle. Despite the band liking Brian for his previous contributions and the charmingly good parts of him, having him in the band was terminally bad. I wouldn't take away any of his musical contributions or the fact that he started the band and was the engine room of their first few months blagging gigs, but his membership of the band was effectively over by 1968, largely by his own doing. It is a fact that the Stones put up with a lot of hassle from Brian and gave him a lot of slack. Many many bands have fired members for a lot less.
Eleni Korkodelaki
@Lyric BerlinMuch more popular!!!!!