What Goes On
Elizabeth Mitchell (Family) Lyrics

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What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am falling down
What goes on in your mind?
I think that I am upside down
Lady, be good, and do what you should
You know it'll work allright
Lady, be good, do what you should
You know it'll be allright

I'm goin' up, and I'm goin' down
I'm gonna fly from side to side
See the bells, up in the sky
Somebody's cut the string in two
Lady, be good, and do what you should
You know it'll work alright
Lady, be good, do what you should
You know it'll be alright

One minute one, one minute two
One minute up and one minute down
What goes on here in your mind?
I think that I am falling down
Lady, be good, and do what you should
You know it'll work alright

Lady, be good, do what you should
You know it'll be alright

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "What Goes On" by Elizabeth Mitchell (Family) revolve around the confusion and uncertainty in one's mind. The repeated line, "What goes on in your mind?" highlights the central theme of the song. The singer is experiencing a range of emotions - from falling down to being upside down and flying from side to side. The overall impression is that of chaos and disorientation. Despite this confusion, the song encourages listeners to be good and do what they should because everything will be alright in the end.

One interpretation of the song could be that it is about the ups and downs of life, and how we have to navigate through them. It could also be suggesting that we can't always control our minds or the situations we find ourselves in, but we can choose to be good and trust that things will eventually work out. The lyrics are ambiguous enough that they could apply to a variety of personal experiences, making it a relatable song for many.

Line by Line Meaning

What goes on in your mind?
What thoughts and emotions are you experiencing?

I think that I am falling down
I feel like I am losing control or failing in some way

I think that I am upside down
I feel disoriented and unsure of my surroundings

Lady, be good, and do what you should
Behave appropriately and responsibly

You know it'll work allright
Your actions will have positive outcomes

I'm goin' up, and I'm goin' down
I am experiencing highs and lows

I'm gonna fly from side to side
I will move unpredictably and erratically

See the bells, up in the sky
Observing something surprising or unusual

Somebody's cut the string in two
A sense of instability or lack of control

One minute one, one minute two
Changes occurring rapidly

One minute up and one minute down
Alternating highs and lows