Inner City's debut album, also entitled "Big Fun" (Virgin Records, US) / "Paradise" (elsewhere) was released in 1989. The second single from the debut LP was the smash hit "Good Life," which has become one of Inner City's most memorable tracks gaining major airplay on MTV and peaking at #4 on the UK charts. The debut album also spawned a few other club hits such as "Do You Love What You Feel" and "Ain't Nobody Better."
Kevin Saunderson went on to release three more albums under the Inner City name: 1990's "Fire," 1992's "Praise," and 1993's "Testament," which all yielded successful singles but could not match the chart-topping "Big Fun" and "Good Life."
Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'
Inner City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh I'm wishin', boy I've got my eyes on you
This mystery is thrillin'
I'm not sure just what to do (doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo)
Ooh ooh ooh, it's so easy, it is no mirage to me
Touchin' gently, feel the love in me
Tell me whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
I'm crazy 'bout your smile
Please don't make me fantasize
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
Tell me now, ooh oh-oh
(Doo doo doo-doo)
So hard lovin' daydreams, all my pleasures make believe (doo doo-doo doo)
I'm with you as my daydream
I never want to leave (doo-doo-doo doo-doo-doo doo)
Ooh ooh ooh, this feeling shines like a precious jewel
And if you want me (me) all my love is for you
Tell me whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
I'm crazy 'bout your smile
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
Please don't make me fantasize
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
Tell me now, tell me now
(Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do) come on
(Whatcha gonna do) tell me
Come on (ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah)
Tell me (whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do)
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin' now
(Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah)
Tell me (whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do)
Whatcha gonna do baby (whatcha gonna do), whatcha gonna do
(Ah ah) ah-ah-ah (ah ah) ah-ah-ah-ah (ah ah ah ah ah)
Tell me (whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do)
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin' now
(Ah ah) ah-ah-ah (ah ah) ah-ah-ah-ah (ah ah ah ah ah)
The lyrics to Inner City's "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'" describe an intense attraction towards someone and the desire to know what they plan to do with the love being offered. The song begins with the singer expressing her interest and uncertainty towards this person. Despite the unknown, the feeling is genuine, and the love is not just a mirage. The love is physical and emotional, as described in the lines "Touchin' gently, feel the love in me."
The chorus repeats the question, "Whatcha gonna do with my lovin'," emphasizing the uncertainty of the relationship's direction. The singer is scared to assume and fantasize and wants to know what exactly the other person intends to do with her love. The last verse talks about a hard loving daydream and how all pleasures become make-believe, leading the singer to not want to leave her current situation with her love interest. She follows up the line with another emphasis on how her feelings towards this person are precious jewels.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh I'm wishin', boy I've got my eyes on you
I'm attracted to you and interested in pursuing a relationship with you.
This mystery is thrillin'
The uncertainty and unknown aspects of our potential relationship are exciting to me.
I'm not sure just what to do
I'm unsure of how to proceed in order to start a relationship with you.
Ooh ooh ooh, it's so easy, it is no mirage to me
My attraction to you is real and genuine.
Touchin' gently, feel the love in me
When we touch, I feel a strong emotional connection.
Tell me whatcha gonna do with my lovin'
I want to know how you feel about me and what your intentions are for our relationship.
I'm crazy 'bout your smile
I find you very attractive and your smile in particular is a big turn-on for me.
Please don't make me fantasize
I want our relationship to be real and not just a figment of my imagination.
So hard lovin' daydreams, all my pleasures make believe
When I daydream about being with you, it feels like a far-off fantasy that may never come true.
I'm with you as my daydream
When I imagine our relationship, it feels like a perfect daydream come true.
I never want to leave
I want to be with you and stay in this dream-like state forever.
Ooh ooh ooh, this feeling shines like a precious jewel
The love I feel for you is rare and valuable like a precious jewel.
And if you want me (me) all my love is for you
If you reciprocate my feelings, I will give you all my love and affection.
Tell me now, ooh oh-oh
I am eager to hear your response and learn whether our feelings for each other are mutual.
(Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do) come on
I'm urging you to tell me your intentions and desires for our relationship.
(Whatcha gonna do) tell me
I'm asking you directly to reveal your feelings and plans for us.
Come on (ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah)
I'm still waiting for your response and want to know what you're thinking.
Whatcha gonna do baby (whatcha gonna do), whatcha gonna do
I'm repeating my question and emphasizing my eagerness to hear your answer.
(Ah ah) ah-ah-ah (ah ah) ah-ah-ah-ah (ah ah ah ah ah)
I'm building to a crescendo of anticipation and excitement as I wait for your response.
Tell me (whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do)
I'm still eagerly waiting to hear your plan for our potential relationship.
Whatcha gonna do with my lovin' now
I want to know if you're ready to start a real relationship with me and if you're willing to reciprocate my love and affection.
(Ah ah) ah-ah-ah (ah ah) ah-ah-ah-ah (ah ah ah ah ah)
I'm still waiting with bated breath for your response and hoping for a positive answer.
Contributed by Austin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Paula Teixeira
Ooh, I'm wishin'
Boy, I got my eyes on you
This mystery is thrillin'
I'm not sure just what to do
Ooh, hoo, hoo, this oasis
Is no mirage to me
Touchin' gently
Feel the love in me
Tell me what cha gonna do with my lovin'
I'm crazy 'bout your smilin' eyes
What cha gonna do with my lovin'
Please don't make me fantasize
What cha gonna do with my lovin'
Tell me now, oh
So hard lovin' daydreams
All my pleasures make believe
But with you as my daydream
I never want to leave
Ooh, ooh, ooh, this feeling
Shines like a precious jewel
And here if you want me
All my love is for you
Tell me what cha gonna do with my lovin'
I'm crazy 'bout your smilin' eyes
What cha gonna do with my lovin'
Please don't make me fantasize
What cha gonna do with my lovin'
Tell me now, oh, tell me now
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
Come on
(What cha gonna do)
Tell me
Come on
Tell me
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do
(What cha gonna do)
Tell me
Come on
Tell me, tell me, oh
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
Baby
(What cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do with my lovin', yeah
Oh, tell me, baby
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do
What cha gonna do
What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do
What cha gonna do
What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do
What cha gonna do
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do, baby
(What cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do
Hey, oh
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
Come on, tell me, baby
(What cha gonna do)
Come on, tell me
Tell me, baby
Tell me what you gonna do with all my lovin', hey, hey, hey, hey
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
Tell me
(What cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do
What cha gonna do with my lovin'
Come on, tell me, what cha gonna do, hey
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
What cha gonna do
(What cha gonna do)
Tell me, come on, come on, come on tell me
All you got to do is tell me
What cha gonna do, oh oh
(What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do)
(What cha gonna do)
Yeah
Tell me, are you ready to tell me, tell me, baby
What cha gonna do, what cha gonna do
What cha gonna do
D.H. Kim
I was a big fan of Inner City at its peak. I am sucker for originals but this cover of the Stephanie Mills hit is simply great.
Zola Ntlangu
It never gets old,beautiful sound 🔥
Myles Cassidy Jr.
I first heard this track in Job Corp in Kentucky in 1990 when I was 17 and I believe this is what brought me closer to house music along with Break For Love by Raze. This is a classic group.TIMELESS
Jackanory
Break for Love 👌🏽one of my all time favourites. Playing rn in Manchester, UK.
mamidi sekoati
I never get tired of listening to this song😅😅😅.. Even After 30 years...
nickysabai
This song has really stood the test of time.
Eric Davis
stephanie mills classic.
melanie blagden
David is
Faith Khanyile
I totally agree 👍
João Azinhais aka Player1ne
This music is gorgeous! So magic!! 👍