Do You Know Where You
Mariah Carey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door.
What are you hoping for, do you know?

Once we were standing still in time,
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds.
And you knew how I loved you but my spirit was free,
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me.
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?

Now looking back at all we planned,
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands.
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?

Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to, do you know?




Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you there's no open door.

Overall Meaning

The song "Do You Know Where You're Going To?" by Mariah Carey speaks of self-discovery and self-reflection. The song implies that life is a journey, and along the way, people must learn where they are headed, what they hope to achieve, what they like, and what they don't. The lyrics ask questions that are relatable to anyone who has ever felt disillusioned with their situation or unsure of what comes next.


The song's first stanza asks a series of questions about life's direction, hoping to encourage introspection. The second stanza shows a contrast between the past and the present. The persona and their partner were once lost in their ambitions, and their relationship was exciting and full of possibilities. However, as time goes on, they realize that life isn't always perfect, and the dreams they had may never come to fruition. They had spent so much time chasing dreams they lost touch of reality.


The chorus repeats the initial stanza and questions. The last line implies that even though one is unsure of their direction or seems stuck in the present, taking chances leads in surprising directions. The song speaks of a journey observed from every angle, like studying the roadmap of a life. It encourages us to examine our hopes, years, and dreams to understand what directions our journey has taken us to.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you know where you're going to?
Are you aware of your future plans and where they will lead you?


Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Are you happy with the way your life is going and the experiences it's giving you?


Where are you going to, do you know?
Do you have a clear understanding of where you're heading and the path you should take?


Do you get what you're hoping for?
Are the outcomes you desire becoming a reality?


When you look behind you there's no open door.
When you reflect on your past, do you feel regretful or do you see opportunities for growth and change?


What are you hoping for, do you know?
Do you have a clear understanding of your hopes and desires?


Once we were standing still in time,
At one point in our lives, we were stagnant and not moving forward.


Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds.
We were pursuing unrealistic dreams that only existed in our imagination.


And you knew how I loved you but my spirit was free,
You understood my love for you, but I still maintained my independence and sense of self.


Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me.
I used to find humor in the questions you would ask me about my future plans.


Now looking back at all we planned,
In retrospect, we can see all the plans we made together.


We let so many dreams just slip through our hands.
Unfortunately, a lot of our aspirations didn't come to fruition.


Why must we wait so long before we see
Why do we have to wait so long before we truly understand?


How sad the answers to those questions can be?
The realization of the lost opportunities can bring a sense of sadness and regret.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, MICHAEL MASSER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Emir

Do you know where you're going to
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to
Do you know

Do you get what you're hoping for
When you look behind you, there's no open door
What are you hoping for
Do you know

Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you but my spirit was free
Laughin' at the questions that you once asked of me

Do you know where you're going to
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to
Do you know

Now looking back on all we've planned
We let so many dreams slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answer to those questions can be

Do you know where you're going to
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to
Do you know

Do you get what you're hoping for
When you look behind you, there's no open door
What are you hoping for
Do you know



ingridgott

Do you know where youre going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to?
Do you know...?

Do you get
What youre hoping for
When you look behind you
Theres no open door
What are you hoping for?
Do you know...?

Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies
That filled our minds
You knew how I loved you
But my spirit was free
Laughin at the questions
That you once asked of me

Do you know where youre going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to?
Do you know...?

Now looking back at all we planned
We let so many dreams
Just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long
Before we see
How sad the answers
To those questions can be

Do you know where youre going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to?
Do you know...?

Do you get
What youre hoping for
When you look behind you
Theres no open door
What are you hoping for?
Do you know...?



All comments from YouTube:

Nandinh0o -_-

Qualquer música que a Mariah Carey colocar na sua voz vai ficar perfeita♥️♥️

TheFamilitchiChannel

she had a very distinctive tone during this era;

you can instantly recognize her rainbow voice!

C. Moore

That album really grew on me over the years. I hated it on the release date. Well I heard it before then 😅 them was the Napster days. But I still brought it on the release day even knowing I already didn't to much like it. But now it might be in my top 5

mariah is skinny fuck blue lives

@C. Moore wait, Rainbow leaked??

Duy Thanh Nguyen

I always think the last few whistles in this song are some of her best. It truly symbolises a heaven gate opening in front of my eyes.

Stuart B

Those aren't whistles, that's Mariah's voice

N G

@Stuart B it is a whistle

Freebie Hughes

@N G It is Mariah. She is showing the upper end of her octave range.

SweetPea 4EVER!

I agree with original comment & YES! I Always say the same exact thing! Lol #LambsKnowWhenAngelsSing #LambsKnowWhenAngelsSang

Benjamin Bawa

@Freebie Hughes Still is a whistle.

4 More Replies...
More Comments

More Versions