What Have I Done
NE‐YO Lyrics
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Sit and think about what I did wrong
As the days turn into nights
Nights back into days I sit alone
Oh no, there's blood on my hands
Guilty party
Ain't no secret I'm the one
Sure as the moon shines
'Cause I'm the sun
[Chorus]
What have I done
What have I done
What have I done
What have I done
Oh, mmm
Selfishly
Catered to my own desires
Never once thinking
That breaking rules just 'cause I wanted to
Could possibly hurt you
My only concern was me
And now look at you
Look at what my foolishness has turned you into
In the end a monster
But at first a goddess
When we first begun, oh
[Chorus]
I'm to blame
Love is a privilege
Not a game
Now you're a monster
I'm to blame
Love is a privilege
Not a game
Now you're a monster
Beautiful you are so lovely
All you wanted was to love me
How did I end up the lonely one (what have I done)
Not hard to love someone
But it's hard to be in love
Knowing that you're killing that person
Beautiful you are so lovely
All you wanted was to love me
How did I end up the lonely one (what have I done)
Not hard to love someone
But it's hard to be in love
Knowing that you're killing that person
In the end she was a monster
But she was a goddess when we first begun
[Chorus]
I'm to blame, hey (what have I done)
Love is a privilege
Not a game
Now you're a monster (what have I done)
I'm to blame
Love is a privilege (what have I done)
Not a game
Now you're a monster (what have I done)
And I'm to blame
Love is a privilege
Not a game
Now you're a monster (what have I done)
And I'm to blame
Love is a privilege
Not a game
The song "What Have I Done" by NE-YO is about remorse and regret for the actions taken that have caused harm to a loved one. The first verse starts with him having time on his hands to think about what he did wrong and how he sits alone with the guilt that he's the one responsible for the harm caused. He confesses that there's blood on his hands and that he's the guilty party. He compares himself to the sun and how the moon shines, meaning that his wrongs are just as clear and visible as daylight.
In the second verse, he talks about how he was selfish and catered to his desires without thinking about the consequences. Breaking rules just because he wanted to didn't hurt him but hurt the person he loves. He realizes that love is not a game and it is a privilege that should be cherished. NE-YO acknowledges the transformation of his loved one from a goddess to a monster, and how his foolishness has turned her into something unrecognizable.
Overall, the song talks about how one's actions have consequences and how they need to take responsibility for the harm that they have caused. It highlights the importance of understanding and appreciating love, and how it can turn someone from a goddess to a monster if not treated with respect and care.
Line by Line Meaning
Time on my hands
I have free time to think
Sit and think about what I did wrong
Reflecting on my past actions
As the days turn into nights
Time passes
Nights back into days I sit alone
I am alone and isolated
Oh no, there's blood on my hands
I am guilty
Guilty party
I am responsible for a bad situation
Ain't no secret I'm the one
I am the culprit
I'm responsible for this
I caused this problem
Sure as the moon shines
Absolutely certain
'Cause I'm the sun
It was my fault
What have I done
I am regretful of my actions
Selfishly
Only thinking of oneself
Catered to my own desires
I prioritized my personal wants
Never once thinking
I did not consider
That breaking rules just 'cause I wanted to
I disregarded the rules for personal gain
Could possibly hurt you
My actions could harm others
My only concern was me
I only cared about myself
And now look at you
The outcome is now evident
Look at what my foolishness has turned you into
My actions ruined you
In the end a monster
The end result was a negative
But at first a goddess
Initially, everything was perfect
I'm to blame
I am the one responsible
Love is a privilege
Love should be valued
Not a game
It should not be treated lightly
Now you're a monster
Your change is negative
Beautiful you are so lovely
You are wonderful
All you wanted was to love me
Your intentions were good
How did I end up the lonely one (what have I done)
I am suffering the consequences of my actions
Not hard to love someone
Loving is easy
But it's hard to be in love
Maintaining a loving relationship is difficult
Knowing that you're killing that person
Knowing that you are unintentionally causing harm
And I'm to blame (what have I done)
I am responsible for the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHAFFER SMITH, DAVID DOROHN GOUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind