Although known primarily as a singer, May also plays the bodhrán, guitar and tambourine. Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday.
Born in Dublin, the youngest of five children, she fell in love with rockabilly at the age of nine, though was also exposed to a range of musical styles, from Irish traditional music to Elvis Presley. She now specialises in rockabilly, singing her own material and covers. Her debut album with Blue Harlem was No Turning Back, which was followed by Swing Street, and Talk to Me. Her first solo release was Love Tattoo.
May has shared the stage with Alison Moyet, Dionne Warwick, Bryan Ferry, Anastasia, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Scissor Sisters, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland, Elton John, and Jeff Beck.
What Am I Gonna Do
Imelda May Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now I've had enough of you
Good things go from bad to worse
So good luck, au revoir, adieu
You're the one to live
With the fact that you let me go
Slip right through your hand
Love to say it
I'm laughing at you
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
I'm laughing at you oh
Watcha Whatcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Watcha whatcha gonna do?
One day you will regret
And hang your head in shame
But this girl don't forget
No one but yourself to blame
I laid my whole self on the line
You didn't even blink an eye
All in a day's work for your kind
Your every second word a lie
I'm laughing at you
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
I'm laughing at you oh yeah
Watcha Whatcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Watcha whatcha gonna do?
Count my fingers
One and two
One of them
Is just for you
Count my fingers
One two three
One in the middle's
To you from me
Hide in the shiny palace
With the world at your back
Tongue sticking to your palette
Your handshake didn't mean jack
I'm laughing at you
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
I'm laughing at you oh yeah
Watcha Whatcha gonna do?
You stupid fool
Watcha whatcha gonna do?
I'm laughing at you
Oh
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
I'm laughing at you
Uh oh yeah
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
You stupid stupid fool
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
The lyrics of Imelda May's song "What Am I Gonna Do" express a feeling of liberation and empowerment of a woman who has finally come to a realization that she deserved much better than what her partner was capable of giving her. The opening lines "You've played your silly games, And now I've had enough of you" convey a sense of frustration and a natural decision to end a relationship that has been dragging for too long. The lyrics further explain that good things have turned from bad to worse, and it is time to say goodbye.
The chorus of the song "I'm laughing at you, whatcha gonna do? You stupid fool, whatcha gonna do?" reflects the singer's newfound sense of confidence and an ability to laugh at the situation that once had her under misery. The song's lyrics reflect a sense of self-empowerment and confidence that comes with being able to walk away from a toxic relationship. The singer is convinced that one day, her ex-partner will regret that they lost her, and she takes some pleasure in knowing that she won't be there to pick up the pieces.
Overall, the lyrics of "What Am I Gonna Do" are a reflection of the singer's journey towards self-discovery and confidence. The song is empowering and relatable to anyone who has been in a toxic or unfulfilling relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You've played your silly games
You have engaged in foolish behavior
And now I've had enough of you
I am no longer interested in being associated with you
Good things go from bad to worse
Situation progresses negatively
So good luck, au revoir, adieu
Wishing you good luck in the future
You're the one to live
You will have to deal with the consequences of your actions
With the fact that you let me go
You allowed me to leave your life
Slip right through your hand
I left your life without difficulty
Love to say it
I am happy to indicate the outcome to you
See, I told you so
As I anticipated, this is what happened
One day you will regret
At some future point, you will feel remorse
And hang your head in shame
You will feel ashamed of yourself
But this girl don't forget
I will not forget your behavior
No one but yourself to blame
You are fully responsible for the outcome
I laid my whole self on the line
I gave everything I had to the relationship
You didn't even blink an eye
You did not show any kind of emotion or compassion towards me
All in a day's work for your kind
This is to be expected of someone with your character
Your every second word a lie
You are not truthful in your speech
Count my fingers
An expression of dismissive attitude
One and two
Counting the fingers
One of them
One finger in particular
Is just for you
Intended for a specific person
Count my fingers
An expression of dismissive attitude
One two three
Counting the fingers
One in the middle's
A specific finger
To you from me
Directed towards a specific person
Hide in the shiny palace
A metaphor for avoiding problems
With the world at your back
Being supported by others
Tongue sticking to your palette
Describing dry mouth as a symptom of nervousness
Your handshake didn't mean jack
Your word or promise does not hold any weight
I'm laughing at you
Amused by your incompetence
Whatcha watcha gonna do?
What are you going to do about it?
You stupid fool
Insulting term addressed to someone who has made bad choices
Oh
An exclamation of surprise
Uh oh yeah
An expression of mocking laughter
Contributed by Carter M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marc Aurèle
Reminds me of that movie, "Streets of Fire", same ambiance. Great music. Love it!
VROD2003FER
VROD200CFER: Your music rocks, swings and makes for hand clapping to tapping all out great music. Keep Rock'n~! Love your music.
Devils Liebling
big love..right words