Finding his voice in a school choir, Crawford began his professional career still a teenager. Having some luck on the London stage in the early 60s, he then found his way onto the BBC and starred in various programmes such as 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'. He also had film roles in 'The War Lover', 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. and 'How I Won the War' (which brought him into the same work as John Lennon).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's casting of him opposite Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton as the Phantom in 1986 shot his career into high gear. Winning a Tony Award for his role, Crawford also had the aforementioned tune, "The Music Of The Night", reach the British Top Ten. He has released several studio albums such as 'A Touch of Music in the Night' and 'On Eagle's Wings' among others.
What I'll Do
Michael Crawford Lyrics
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'tis broken and cannot be mended.
You must go your way,
And I must go mine.
But now that our love dreams have ended...
What'll I do
When you are far away
What'll I do?
What'll I do?
When I am wond'ring who
Is kissing you
What'll I do?
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
The lyrics to Michael Crawford's song What'll I Do explore the pain and heartbreak of a relationship that has ended, leaving both parties to move on in different directions. The use of words like 'gone', 'broken' and 'dreams have ended' create a sense of finality and despair, leading the singer to question how they will cope with the aftermath of the split. The repetition of the phrase 'What'll I do?' in the chorus reinforces the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability felt by the singer as they navigate the aftermath of the relationship.
The lines "What'll I do when you are far away and I am blue" and "What'll I do when I am wondering who is kissing you" demonstrate the emotional pain and jealousy often associated with lost love. The singer's longing and yearning for their lost love is further emphasized by the lines, "What'll I do with just a photograph to tell my troubles to?", highlighting the feeling of loneliness and lack of companionship that comes with the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Gone is the romance that was so divine.
The love and attraction between us has vanished and disappeared forever.
'tis broken and cannot be mended.
Our relationship has ended and it cannot be restored or repaired.
You must go your way,
You need to carry on with your life independently based on your own goals and choices.
And I must go mine.
I need to live my life independently based on my own priorities and decisions.
But now that our love dreams have ended...
Since our passionate aspirations and desires for each other are no longer valid or achievable...
What'll I do
When you are far away
And I am blue
What'll I do?
What am I supposed to do when you are gone and I am sad and depressed?
What'll I do?
When I am wond'ring who
Is kissing you
What'll I do?
How do I deal with the thought of another person kissing you behind my back when I am feeling paranoid and insecure?
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
How can I possibly convey my problems and difficulties to just a mere picture of you?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
When I have nobody to talk to and just my unrealistic visions of you to hold on to, how do I cope with this reality that can never become real?
A pause during which the instrumental music expresses the underlying emotions instead of words.
What'll I do with just a photograph
To tell my troubles to?
How can I possibly convey my problems and difficulties to just a mere picture of you?
When I'm alone
With only dreams of you
That won't come true
What'll I do?
When I have nobody to talk to and just my unrealistic visions of you to hold on to, how do I cope with this reality that can never become real?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind