What Can I Do
David Torkanowsky Lyrics


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What can I do to see you?
What do you need from me to believe I need it?
What would it take, to change your heart and start again?

[Chorus]
Tell me, what can I do to make you happy?
Ill make you happy if you just let me
What can I do to make you love me again?

What do I need to leave you?
What does it take to quit when your heart wont let you?
Nothing I know so here I am, and there you are

[Chorus]

So tell me what it takes? Thats what ill do
Just don't tell me that its over,
Say I've got a chance, its not so much to ask

[Chorus]

And want me again, tell me what can I do?





Tell me what can I do?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Torkanowsky's song "What Can I Do" depict a desperate plea from a person to their significant other to rekindle their relationship. The opening lines, "What can I do to see you? What do you need from me to believe I need it?" indicate the singer's willingness to go out of their way to make things work. They are asking their partner to provide some form of assurance, a sign that will prove that they still care for the relationship. The following line, "What would it take, to change your heart and start again?" is a question to which the person seems to have no answer. They want to know what needs to be done to mend their broken relationship and start anew.


The chorus of the song contains the title and the most impactful lines, "Tell me, what can I do to make you happy? I'll make you happy if you just let me. What can I do to make you love me again?" The person is desperate to make their partner happy again and is ready to do anything to bring back the love that they once had. They want to know what went wrong and what they can do to fix it. The singer is willing to do anything, and they plead their lover to tell them what it would take to win back their heart or what mistake they made that led to the downfall of their relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

What can I do to see you?
What actions do I need to take in order to be in your presence?


What do you need from me to believe I need it?
What do I need to prove to you so you can understand that I truly require it?


What would it take, to change your heart and start again?
What could I do to transform your feelings and begin anew?


Tell me, what can I do to make you happy?
What actions do I need to take to bring happiness to your life?


Ill make you happy if you just let me
If you give me the opportunity, I'll bring happiness to your life


What can I do to make you love me again?
What actions do I need to take to make you feel romantic love towards me once more?


What do I need to leave you?
What do I have to do to walk away from you?


What does it take to quit when your heart wont let you?
What should I do to let go of the situation even if my feelings won't permit me?


Nothing I know so here I am, and there you are
I am stuck, with no clear solution in sight while you remain where you are.


So tell me what it takes? Thats what ill do
Please tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it.


Just don't tell me that its over,
Please don't let me know that our relationship has ended.


Say I've got a chance, its not so much to ask
Give me some hope and let me know that I still have a chance with you; it's not too much to inquire.


And want me again, tell me what can I do?
If you desire me to be part of your life once more, please let me know what part I should play in making that happen.


Tell me what can I do?
In conclusion, I'm asking you to disclose what steps I need to take to make things right.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BURT F. BACHARACH, STEVEN M. KRIKORIAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Cynthia Chen

Fabulous as always Dear Tork!! You have always inspired me to be a better player. I learned so much for listening to you back in the day. 😊 Hope you are well.

Ilya Tsinis

Thank you, David! Your playing really moved me.

Duncan Frere

Beautiful! Tork's funny, too! Wit, charm and real talent... And I guess it's clear who the heir apparent is to the long line of New Orleans piano giants. Thanks WWOZ!

1blastman

Sad to see the Doctor pass, but feeling fortunate to have so much of his live and recorded music still with us. His spirit will live in our hearts forever.

lmwilliamsjr1

Yeah you right! I was at that Spencer Bohren show. He is awfully missed

Pedro Segundo

Love you Tork.

Jeff Perry

Does anyone know the name of his last record that David mentions around the 25 minute mark?

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