What You Need
Drake Bell Lyrics


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People
Around the world they say I'm bitter
But I can say I'm not quitter
And you can't
And people
No they don't apologize
That's why we have to advertise
In the paper

I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing

So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free

But people
Don't you know it's not polite to point and stare
No that's not the way to show you care
About the way you live
But I bet you don't give a
And people
You've got to give it up where credit's due
But you only did it 'cause I told you to
Well too bad so sad hope I didn't make you mad

I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing
Well the birds are singing

So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free

So say what you want to say
And hear what you want to hear
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free




Then you're going to be free
If you want to be, got to be, have to be let me be free

Overall Meaning

The song "Do What You Want" by Drake Bell is an ode to living one's life the way they want to, free from the opinions and judgments of others. In the song, Bell acknowledges that people around the world may view him as bitter, but he knows he's not a quitter. He encourages the listener to live their life the way they want to, even if it means going against the norm of partying all night until the birds are singing. Bell is aware that people tend to point and stare, but it's not the way to show that they care about how others live. He encourages people to give credit where credit is due, but not just because someone tells them to. In the end, he implores the listener to be free, saying that if they want to be, they have to let him be free.


Overall, the song is a call to individuality and autonomy in the face of societal pressures to conform. Bell acknowledges that it may not always be easy to go against the grain, but it's worth it in order to live an authentic life.


Line by Line Meaning

People
Referring to human beings


Around the world they say I'm bitter
Many people in different places believe that I have a sour attitude


But I can say I'm not quitter
Despite their perception, I am someone who doesn't give up easily


And you can't
You are not capable of quitting like I do


And people
Referring to human beings again


No they don't apologize
People do not express regret for their behavior or actions


That's why we have to advertise
This is the reason why we have to promote ourselves or our ideas


In the paper
This promotion can be done by written advertisements


I can't make you stop and listen
I cannot force you to pay attention to what I have to say


That won't save you
Not listening to me will not protect you from the consequences of your actions


And I can't believe everybody wants to party
I find it hard to believe that everyone wants to stay up and have fun all night


All night long until the birds are singing
Until it's early in the morning when birds start to chirp


So do what you want to do
You have the freedom to pursue whatever you desire


Be what you want to be
You have the right to choose your own identity


Live how you want to live
You have the autonomy to live your life according to your own rules


If you want to be free
If you desire to live a life without constraints or limitations


Then you're going to be free
You will have the opportunity to attain the freedom you seek


People
Referring to people again


Don't you know it's not polite to point and stare
It's impolite to draw attention to someone by pointing and gawking at them


No that's not the way to show you care
That type of behavior does not demonstrate care or concern for others


About the way you live
Referring to the way someone chooses to live their life


But I bet you don't give a
I suspect that you do not actually care


And people
Referring to people again


You've got to give it up where credit's due
You should acknowledge and recognize when someone deserves credit


But you only did it 'cause I told you to
However, the reason you gave credit was only because I instructed you to do so


Well too bad so sad hope I didn't make you mad
Oh well, I hope my instruction to give credit didn't upset you


So say what you want to say
Express your thoughts and opinions without hesitation


And hear what you want to hear
Be open to listening to what you want to hear


If you want to be, got to be, have to be let me be free
If you desire to attain freedom, then allow me to also be free




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY PRESTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Armando Longoria

Eleven years from this song and I still hearing it! Drake Bell is the best!!!

Francia htk

esta canción es tan pegajosa!!!! la cante todo un día jajajajaj ta amo drake ♥

Julieth Vela

2017? ja casi 2020 y yo sigo escuchandola xd

Saúl Morales

2023.

Evil-Jehiel

2023 y yo sigo escuchandola

Arely Pulido

Es genial, tan genial como DRAKE.

Susan Espínola

jajaja maldicion q buena cancion es muy divertida amo a este hombre creo q me he enamorado!!! :D Te queremos Drake te queremos!! te queremos Drake te queremos!! UUUU Q GENIAL

luli M

si esta cancion es cuando alguien no te da bola pero tienen mas en comun que otra cosa me descrivio te amo drake bell

Brenda Romero Rodriguez

que tal ehhh muy buena la musica no sabia lo que significaba y la canto todo el tiempo verdaderamente sin palabras idolo lo quiero tanto

luli M

te amo drake bell saca un nuevo disco

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