Jackson started out as a songwriter and arranger for Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy Witherspoon, and the Shangri-Las, among others. He also composed the Pretty Things' 1960s hit single "Come See Me."
Jackson had his own 1966 hit with "But It's Alright," which he wrote with Pierre Tubbs. “Boogaloo Baby” was presented as the designated A-side of the record, but within a week of release, Calla was promoting “But It’s Alright.” The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The single was recorded in the United Kingdom, featuring some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums. He currently lives in Palmdale, CA.
What Can I Do
J.J. Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I made some stupid decicions
What can I do but change my ways and ask the lord for forgiveness
I kept it real through thick and thin, only need god as my witness
Some people claimed that they were solid, but they switched up the quickest
I put my heart into these words and so I hope that you hear this
I know we've all been through some pain and so I'm sure that you can feel it
I ain't got no time, no time to be stressing
Oh I shall prevail, these words are my weapon
Yeah I been through hell, i'm looking for heaven
But its all in my head, I know its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
I know its all in my head, I hope its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
What can I do?, what can I do to change my ways
What can I do?, To take us to a better place
What can I do? Baby when I feel this way
Im talking to you, Can you help me take this pain away
Im just tryna find a better way than sipping bottles, Smoking blunts til I don't feel a thing
So can you heal my pain, Baby say my name
Will you be there when I'm down and walking through the rain
Been feeling low Im getting higher smoking Mary Jane
Roll up a blunt and pass a lighter into to the brain
Hey can you feel my pain, Sometimes I feel insane
Lost in my thoughts and I thought maybe you might feel the same
I ain't got no time, no time to be stressing
Been learning from L's and counting my blessings
Oh I shall prevail, these words are my weapon
Yeah I been through hell, i'm looking for heaven
But its all in my head, I know its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
I know its all in my head, I hope its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
In J.J. Jackson's song "What Can I Do," the lyrics delve into themes of personal growth, redemption, and the struggle to overcome pain and find inner peace. The artist reflects on past mistakes and acknowledges the need for change and forgiveness from a higher power. The lyrics convey a sense of honesty and vulnerability as the artist shares their experiences and emotions with the listener.
The opening lines, "Aye let me get a lighter, I made some stupid decisions," set the tone for the song by acknowledging personal faults and admitting to past errors. The artist then expresses a desire to change their ways and seek forgiveness from the Lord. This line suggests that the artist recognizes the need to let go of negativity and embrace a more positive and righteous path.
The next lines, "I kept it real through thick and thin, only need God as my witness, some people claimed that they were solid, but they switched up the quickest," emphasize the importance of loyalty and authenticity in relationships. The artist acknowledges the betrayal they have experienced from people they trusted, highlighting the pain caused by such actions. This serves as a reminder to stay true to oneself and to place faith in a higher power rather than unreliable individuals.
The chorus repeats the question, "What can I do?" suggesting a yearning to find a way to change for the better and create a more harmonious existence. The artist acknowledges feelings of pain and seeks solace in connection, expressing a desire for someone to help them overcome their struggles.
Overall, "What Can I Do" explores the complexity of human emotions, the search for redemption and growth, and the need for understanding and support in times of personal turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Aye let me get a lighter
I need a lighter
I made some stupid decisions
I have made some foolish choices
What can I do but change my ways and ask the lord for forgiveness
I have no choice but to alter my behavior and seek forgiveness from God
I kept it real through thick and thin, only need god as my witness
I remained authentic in all circumstances, and God is the only one who can confirm it
Some people claimed that they were solid, but they switched up the quickest
Certain individuals professed their loyalty, but they were the first to betray
I put my heart into these words and so I hope that you hear this
I have poured my emotions into these lyrics, and I hope you can understand
I know we've all been through some pain and so I'm sure that you can feel it
I am aware that we have all experienced suffering, so I believe you can relate
I ain't got no time, no time to be stressing
I don't have any time to be worried
Been learning from L's and counting my blessings
I have been learning from my failures and appreciating the good things in my life
Oh I shall prevail, these words are my weapon
I will overcome, and my lyrics are the strength I wield
Yeah I been through hell, I'm looking for heaven
I have endured immense hardships, and now I am seeking solace or paradise
But its all in my head, I know its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
These thoughts and emotions reside only in my mind, but I cannot stop thinking about you
What can I do?, what can I do to change my ways
What actions can I take to transform myself?
What can I do?, To take us to a better place
How can I contribute in leading us to a more positive environment?
What can I do? Baby when I feel this way
What options do I have when I am feeling like this, my dear?
Im talking to you, Can you help me take this pain away
I am addressing you, asking if you can assist me in relieving this anguish
Im just tryna find a better way than sipping bottles, Smoking blunts til I don't feel a thing
I am merely attempting to discover an alternative method rather than resorting to drinking and smoking to numb my emotions
So can you heal my pain, Baby say my name
Can you alleviate my suffering? My love, please utter my name
Will you be there when I'm down and walking through the rain
Can you stand by me when I am feeling low and going through hardships?
Been feeling low Im getting higher smoking Mary Jane
I have been feeling down, so I have been using marijuana to elevate my mood
Roll up a blunt and pass a lighter into to the brain
I roll a marijuana joint and share a lighter, igniting it to relieve my thoughts
Hey can you feel my pain, Sometimes I feel insane
Hey, can you understand the level of suffering I experience? Occasionally, I feel mentally unstable
Lost in my thoughts and I thought maybe you might feel the same
I am consumed by my own contemplations, and I believed that perhaps you could relate
I know its all in my head, I hope its all in my head, Cant get you out of my head no
I acknowledge that these thoughts are confined to my mind, but I desperately desire to stop thinking about you
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Alex J
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dundee520
thumbs up mate,nice wee tune.ktf
Danny Feeney
dundee520 : Cheers Ian, bopped to this a few times over the years. Still snowing here got cabin fever. Ktf