217. Do What You Gotta Do
Dove Cameron & Cheyenne Jackson Lyrics


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Listen, little girl
You're talking to a God
And I don't wanna hear the drama
Kindness ain't my brand
Oh, I guess that's why you ran
Try being married to your mama!
You stink at being a dad
Poor Mali, are you sad?
Not as sad as you without your powers
I didn't come to fight
For once, do something right
I steal souls, were you expecting flowers?

I only need you 'cause I came here for something
I've given you everything, by giving you nothing

I did what I had to do (ooh-ooh-ooh)
No, you only did what's best for you
Well, you could learn a thing or two (ooh-ooh-ooh)
When push comes to shove
You do what you gotta do, yeah

You were never there
Guess you don't have a phone
You never called to say, "I miss you"
Ha ha ha, are you kidding? Is this a joke?
You need to let it go
You're stronger with those daddy issues
Oh! Thank you!
Show me some respect
It ain't easy to neglect
My attention would've made you softer
Ooh-hoo! Should I be proud?
Don't turn this thing around
I guess you are your father's daughter, ha, ha, ha

Don't think I need you, I just came here for something
I'm given you everything, by giving you nothing

I did what I had to do (ooh-ooh-ooh)
I made it on my own, no thanks to you
Well, you could learn a thing or two (ooh-ooh-ooh)
When push comes to shove
You do what you gotta do

How 'bout I go with you and we'll spend some time?
How 'bout you stay here 'cause you're out of your mind!
Let's make new memories, you can show me the town
No, you can keep your memories now
Get over it
I am over it!
I'm over you being over it!
Let's dance

I did what I had to do (ooh-ooh-ooh)
No, you only did what's best for you
Well, you could learn a thing or two (ooh-ooh-ooh)
When push comes to shove, you do
When push comes to shove, you do
When push comes to shove




You do what you gotta do, yeah
Ha, please

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Do What You Gotta Do by Dove Cameron and Cheyenne Jackson explore the strained relationship between a father and daughter. The lyrics suggest that the father is distant and cold towards his daughter, causing her to feel neglected and unimportant. The daughter expresses her frustration by calling out her father’s past mistakes and lack of kindness. The father, on the other hand, is defensive and dismissive of his daughter, suggesting that she is the cause of the problems in their relationship.


Throughout the song, both the father and daughter justify their actions, implying that they only did what they had to do in order to survive in their respective situations. The daughter also suggests that she doesn't need her father, but came to him for something specific. Towards the end of the song, both the father and daughter seem to let go of their issues momentarily, with the father suggesting they spend time together, only to be shut down by the daughter.


Overall, Do What You Gotta Do is a powerful ballad that highlights the complexities of dysfunctional family relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen, little girl
I am in a position of power over you.


You're talking to a God
I have an elevated status compared to you.


And I don't wanna hear the drama
I am not interested in listening to your problems.


Kindness ain't my brand
Being kind is not my style.


Oh, I guess that's why you ran
You didn't want to be around me because I am not kind.


Try being married to your mama!
It was difficult to be in a relationship with your mother.


You stink at being a dad
You are a bad father.


Poor Mali, are you sad?
Your daughter is unhappy because of your actions.


Not as sad as you without your powers
You are dependent on your powers for your happiness.


I didn't come to fight
I didn't come here to argue.


For once, do something right
Make a good decision for once.


I steal souls, were you expecting flowers?
I have a dark occupation and am not someone who would do something romantic.


I only need you 'cause I came here for something
I only came to see you because I have a specific purpose.


I've given you everything, by giving you nothing
I have not given you anything of true value.


No, you only did what's best for you
Your actions were motivated by your own self-interest.


Well, you could learn a thing or two
You could benefit from learning from me.


You were never there
You were absent from my life.


Guess you don't have a phone
You did not have a way to contact me.


You never called to say, "I miss you"
You did not express any emotional connection to me.


Ha ha ha, are you kidding? Is this a joke?
You are not capable of making sincere emotional connections.


You need to let it go
You need to move on from the past.


You're stronger with those daddy issues
Your past experiences have made you more resilient.


Show me some respect
You need to treat me with more respect.


It ain't easy to neglect
Ignoring someone is not an easy thing to do.


My attention would've made you softer
If I had paid attention to you, you would have been less tough.


Ooh-hoo! Should I be proud?
You are being sarcastic.


Don't turn this thing around
Don't try to change the subject.


I guess you are your father's daughter, ha, ha, ha
You have inherited traits from your father.


I made it on my own, no thanks to you
I succeeded without your help.


How 'bout I go with you and we'll spend some time?
Let's spend some quality time together.


How 'bout you stay here 'cause you're out of your mind!
You are crazy for thinking we can have a good relationship.


Let's make new memories, you can show me the town
Let's create positive experiences together in this place.


No, you can keep your memories now
I am not interested in any memories we share.


Get over it
You need to move on from the past.


I am over it!
I have already moved on from the past.


I'm over you being over it!
I am still holding on to some negative feelings toward you.


Let's dance
Let's enjoy the moment, without discussing the past.


When push comes to shove, you do
In difficult situations, you will take whatever action is necessary.


When push comes to shove
In a difficult situation.


You do what you gotta do, yeah
You will do whatever it takes to handle the situation.


Ha, please
You are dismissing someone's suggestion or request.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Hanna Jones, Jack Kugell, Matthew Wong

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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