What Can I Do for You
Illinois Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So this is goodbye
I'll miss that look in your eye
But we can't live out this life in a lie
So it's the best thing
I could have done for you
I have to let you go but i don't want to
Darling i die inside its true
Tomorrow i'll hide my love from you
It's like i always tend to do

So all you can do
Is separate himself from you
Before someone they love turns to cold, Cold blue

It's the best thing i could have done for us
This cancellation was a must
Don't love somebody you can't trust
Just think of us

It's the best thing i could have done for you




It's the best thing i could have done for myself
It's the best thing i could have done for us

Overall Meaning

The song "What Can I Do For You" by Illinois is a heartfelt goodbye to a former lover. The lyrics speak to the pain of letting go of someone you still love, but acknowledging that it's the best decision for both parties to separate. The singer recognizes that they can no longer continue to live a lie and that by ending the relationship, they are ultimately doing what's best. The line "Darling, I die inside it's true" represents the agony one goes through when letting go of someone they love. The pain is so intense that it feels like a part of them is dying. However, the singer knows that hiding their love is the only way to move forward.


Illinois then goes on to discuss how sometimes the best thing you can do is separate yourself from someone you love before they turn "cold, Cold blue." This line represents the idea that sometimes relationships can turn sour and it's better to end them before they ruin both parties. The singer once again reiterates that the separation is the best thing they could have done for themselves, as well as for the person they love.


In conclusion, "What Can I Do For You" is a poignant breakup song that explores the emotions one goes through when ending a relationship. The song highlights the importance of being honest with yourself and your partner and recognizing when it's time to let go.


Line by Line Meaning

So this is goodbye
Saying farewell to a relationship that cannot continue.


I'll miss that look in your eye
Expressing regret for losing something special about the relationship.


But we can't live out this life in a lie
Acknowledging that the relationship had been built on deception and can no longer continue.


So it's the best thing I could have done for you
Admitting that ending the relationship is the best option, despite the pain it may cause.


I have to let you go but I don't want to
Revealing the emotional difficulty of ending the relationship while knowing it is the right thing to do.


Darling I die inside it's true
Expressing a deep sadness about the end of the relationship.


Tomorrow I'll hide my love from you
Accepting that the relationship is over and resolving to move on.


It's like I always tend to do
Acknowledging a pattern of enduring pain in relationships, but making a decision to break that pattern.


So all you can do
Acknowledging that the decision to end a relationship is not a mutual one.


Is separate himself from you
Recognizing that some situations require separation in order to protect both parties.


Before someone they love turns to cold, Cold blue
Showing an understanding of the damage that can result from staying in a relationship that has run its course.


It's the best thing I could have done for us
Reinforcing that the decision to end the relationship was the best option for both parties involved.


This cancellation was a must
Using a definitive word, 'must,' to emphasize the importance and necessity of ending the relationship.


Don't love somebody you can't trust
Encouraging individuals to prioritize trust in their relationships and avoid getting hurt by those who lack it.


Just think of us
Offering a gentle reminder that the decision was ultimately made with the best interests of both parties in mind.


It's the best thing I could have done for you
Finalizing the idea that the decision, though difficult, was ultimately made to better everyone's lives involved.


It's the best thing I could have done for myself
Expressing the importance of prioritizing one's own well-being and making difficult decisions to achieve personal happiness.


It's the best thing I could have done for us
Concluding that, despite the pain that may come with it, ending the relationship was the best path forward for everyone involved.




Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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