Kennedy studied for a degree in pure music at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth County, Kildare.
He performs live with a full band, including a drummer, bassist, lead guitarist, and violinist.
He is signed to Interscope Records and released a collection of previously released songs, Dermot Kennedy, on 4 January 2019 through Riggins Recording Limited. His debut major-label studio album, Without Fear, was released on 4 October 2019.
What Have I Done
Dermot Kennedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I'd be better off alone
Now, my soul has been torn and reborn, started breathing
What have I done?
What have I done?
I never thought I needed saving
I was right where I should be
But it's you that I need
I'm in love this time
I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
So, don't you fall back asleep for this moment
Just be, I wanna get it right for once
Oh, I've been knocked out and beat, but this feeling is fleeting
What have I done?
What have I done?
Never thought I needed saving
I was right where I should be
Good God, I know it's dangerous
But it's you that I need
I'm in love this time
I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
Ever since the other night
I've been thinking 'bout the way you smile golden
Wanna move inside of your life
Ever since the other night
I've been thinking 'bout the way you smile golden
Wanna move inside of your life
What have I done?
Oh no, what have I done?
You be brave for me, now
I never thought I needed saving
I was right where I should be
Good God, I know it's dangerous
But it's you that I need
I'm in love this time
I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
Dermot Kennedy's song "What Have I Done" is about realizing the importance of a person in your life and the transformative power of love. The opening lines, "Woke up this morning, light poured in, you're with me," suggest a moment of epiphany as the singer wakes up with sudden clarity and realizes the significance of the other person in their life.
The song then moves into a refrain of "What have I done? What have I done?" indicating regret and confusion about the past mistakes and the ways the singer has overlooked the value of their partner. The line "I'm in love this time" suggests that this person has been in love before, but this time, it's different.
The bridge of the song encourages the other person to stay present and not fall back asleep because the singer wants to get things right. The final lines, "You be brave for me, now," communicate a request from the singer to their partner to be there for them as they navigate this new emotional reality.
Overall, "What Have I Done" is a powerful meditation on the realization of love's transformative power and the regret that can come with not recognizing its importance.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up this morning, light poured in, you're with me
I woke up today and saw you beside me, and the light made it look like everything is perfect.
I thought I'd be better off alone
At first, I believed that being alone was best for me.
Now, my soul has been torn and reborn, started breathing
Now I feel like my soul has been born again and I begin to feel alive.
What have I done?
I'm scared now that I might have made a mistake.
I never thought I needed saving
I thought that I could handle everything on my own.
I was right where I should be
I thought everything was in the right place.
Good God, I know it's dangerous
I know this is risky.
But it's you that I need
But, I can't help but realize that you are the one I need.
I'm in love this time
This time, I'm confident that what I feel is love.
So, don't you fall back asleep for this moment
Don't let this moment go to waste.
Just be, I wanna get it right for once
Just be yourself, I want to make sure that I do this right.
Oh, I've been knocked out and beat, but this feeling is fleeting
I might have been hurt before, but this feeling will not last forever.
Ever since the other night
Since that one night, I've been feeling different.
I've been thinking 'bout the way you smile golden
I can't stop thinking about how beautiful your smile is.
Wanna move inside of your life
I want to be a part of your life.
Oh no, what have I done?
I'm scared now that I might have made a mistake.
You be brave for me, now
I need you to be the brave one now.
Writer(s): Scott Harris, Dermot Kennedy, Stephen Noel Kozmeniuk
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stefania Popescu
[Lyrics]
Woke up this morning, light poured in, you're with me
I thought I'd be better off alone
Now, my soul has been torn and reborn, started breathing
What have I done?
What have I done?
I never thought I needed saving, I was right where I should be
Good god, I know it's dangerous, but it's you that I need
I'm in love this time, I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
So, don't you fall back asleep for this moment
Just be, I wanna get it right for once
Oh, I've been knocked out and beat but this feeling is fleeting
What have I done?
What have I done?
I never thought I needed saving, I was right where I should be
Good god, I know it's dangerous, but it's you that I need
I'm in love this time, I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
Ever since the other night, I've been thinking 'bout the way you smile golden
Wanna move inside of your light
Ever since the other night, I've been thinking 'bout the way you smile golden
Wanna move inside of your light
What have I done?
Oh no, what have I done?
You be brave for me, now
I never thought I needed saving, I was right where I should be
Good god, I know it's dangerous, but it's you that I need
I'm in love this time, I'm in love this time
What have I done?
What have I done?
DaniLJL
I’ve had this on repeat since last night. My husband and I are music lovers, have been married 14 years and often dance around the house....
I played him this song and he said “it sounds like us” and we danced alone in the kitchen, our 4 kids upstairs, while we swayed, each in our own minds silently remembering when we met and that feeling of falling and knowing “holy crap this is it”
He asks “What Have I Done” with such conviction in his voice. I felt the entire song. It’s very stirring. ❤️
Well done Dermot! Thank you for this.
Jane
So so lovely 💓💓
Orwell Huxley
Lucky lady! 💜♥️🧡♥️
Leanne Mccaffery
She defo is a lucky lady xxx
April Chouinard
Awwwww!!!
Antrat 1965
I envy your happiness. Now I need to find that special person to dance with.
Gianna Foti
I love the irony of this song. Usually when you say “what have I done” it’s a bad thing but in this he’s fallen in love and it’s beautiful
Erika Haas
My same thought-love it! Such a beautiful song!❤️
Taylor Johnson
It's not always beautiful. I think when he says "What have I done" he realizes that it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Just my interpretation/experience.... "This feeling is fleeting"... "Good God I know it's dangerous"... "
alief akmal
Taylor Johnson or maybe he fell for the wrong person and deep down he knows that but the feeling is too strong