What You Want
Laura Bell Bundy Annaleigh Ashford Leslie Kritzer DeQuina Moore Kate Wetherhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the kind of girl Warner wants.
Someone serious.
Someone lawyerly.
Someone who wears black when nobody's dead.
Girl I have a completely brilliant plan.
(sung) What you want, Warner
What you want is me
Well it's plain, Warner
In a different setting
You will see you're getting all of this plus a brain.
I'll meet you there at harvard with a book in my hand.
Big sturdy book.
Big wordy book.
Full of words, I'll understand
And right there is where you'll see it too
Warner, what you want is right in front of you.
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: What you want
ELLE: It's clear
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: what you want
ELLE: Right here
ALL: What you want is right in front of you, front of you.
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: What you want
ELLE: it's clear
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: What you want
ELLE: Right here
ALL: What you want is right in front of you, front of you
ELLE: Step 1: He's off to Harvard Law, so I get in there too
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: Step 2
: I'll make C's and study hard, cracking cases just like you
ELLE: Step 3: And with my newfound knowledge, we'll make partner by and by
SERENA, PILAR, & MARGOT: Step 4: You'll have proved you're serious, and I...
ELLE: ...I will be too.
In this song, Elle is expressing her dedication and willingness to make changes and sacrifices for the person she loves - Warner. She recognizes that he wants someone serious and lawyerly, and she believes that she can be that person for him, despite the seemingly shallow and ditzy persona she has presented thus far. Her plan is to attend Harvard Law School and prove herself to Warner as a serious and intelligent partner. She believes that by doing so, he will see that what he wants has been right in front of him all along.
Line by Line Meaning
Wait a minute.
Elle interrupts the conversation, signaling that she has just had an insightful thought.
Someone serious.
Warner wants a girlfriend who is focused on her career and not just frivolous.
Girl I have a completely brilliant plan.
Elle is confident that she knows how to win back Warner's affection.
What you want, Warner
Elle is addressing Warner directly to make her pitch.
What you want is me
Elle is telling Warner that he actually wants to be with her, not the serious girl he thinks he wants.
But you need to see me in abrand new domain.
Elle knows that Warner won't understand that he wants to be with her until he sees her in a different context.
In a different setting
Elle needs to show Warner her serious, smart side in order to win him back.
You will see you're getting all of this plus a brain.
Elle is telling Warner that she is both beautiful and intelligent - the complete package.
I'll meet you there at harvard with a book in my hand.
Elle plans to attend Harvard with Warner and prove to him that she belongs there, too.
Full of words, I'll understand
Elle is telling Warner that she is smart, even though he doesn't realize it yet.
Right in front of you.
Elle is pointing out to Warner that he is overlooking what he wants for himself.
Step 1: He's off to Harvard Law, so I get in there too
Elle's plan involves following Warner to Harvard Law so that she can prove her worth to him.
Step 2: I'll make C's
Elle knows that she needs to work hard to succeed at Harvard.
Step 3: I'll transfer as a 2L
Elle is planning ahead to ensure that she achieves her goals at Harvard.
Instead of days spent sweating
Elle's life is changing for the better since she decided to pursue her dreams.
Today my life's resetting
Elle is starting fresh and taking control of her future.
Big surprise, Warner
Elle is about to reveal something unexpected to Warner.
If I want to be a lawyer
Elle is telling Warner that she is serious about her future career.
For Harvard's sake, I won't be staid
Elle plans to work hard to succeed at Harvard and achieve her goals.
And I'll get work done
Elle is serious about her studies and plans to work hard to succeed at Harvard.
But right now, let's Toast
Elle wants to take a break from planning and celebrate with her friends.
C'mon
Elle is encouraging her friends to join her in celebrating their success.
Get some
Elle wants her friends to enjoy themselves and have fun.
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.