In My Tribe. Merchant joined 10,000 Maniacs at the age of 17 and became the band's driving artistic force. After a pair of successful independent releases, they signed to Elektra in 1985 and briefly became one of the most popular acts in alternative rock, shooting into the Top 40 with 1987's In My Tribe and charting even higher with their follow-up effort, Blind Man's Zoo. Merchant's desire to launch a solo career increased alongside the band's growing reputation, however, and by the time the group sat down to record 1992's Our Time in Eden, she gave her bandmates two years' notice. Following the release of MTV Unplugged in 1994, she publicly announced she was leaving the group's ranks.
OpheliaMerchant made her solo debut with 1995's Tigerlily, a self-produced album that debuted at number 13 and scored a Top Ten single with "Carnival." Two additional singles, "Wonder" and "Jealousy," also cracked the Top 40, prompting Tigerlily to sell over five million copies in the U.S. alone. It was followed in 1998 by Ophelia, another platinum-selling effort that was supported by Merchant's inclusion in the second Lilith Fair tour. Live in Concert, recorded at New York's Neil Simon Theatre, appeared a year later. A prominent social activist, Merchant also drew notice by campaigning in the name of such hot-button issues as animal rights, domestic violence, and homelessness.
MotherlandMerchant launched a folk tour in 2000, with members of progressive folk band the Horse Flies joining her on the road. She then returned to her solo career with Motherland. Two years later, Merchant left Elektra's roster and formed her own independent label, Myth America, in order to issue House Carpenter's Daughter, a collection of traditional and contemporary folk music inspired by the 2000 tour. A long period of silence followed, during which a pair of greatest-hits releases -- the 10,000 Maniacs collection Campfire Songs and Merchant's own Retrospective: 1995-2005 -- kept fans relatively sated. As the decade drew to a close, though, Merchant signed with Nonesuch Records and began making plans for a new album, which eventually arrived in the form of the ambitious, double-disc neo-children's album, 2010's Leave Your Sleep. Merchant returned to straight-ahead pop music with a self-titled album in May 2014.
I Know How to Do It
Natalie Merchant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
20 years of practice and Lord above
I know how to do it, I know how to do it
I know how to do it good enough for anyone
If you love your man you better take good care
you'll wake one morning and he won't be there
cause I know how to do it, I know how to do it
I may be old fashioned, I may be dumb
may be a square and I may be a bum
but I know how to do it, I know how to do it
I know how to do it and I dish it out with ease
So don't encourage me daddy or I'll go too far
when you say, "please me mama, eight to the bar"
cause I know how to do it, I know how to do it
I know how to do it good
So if you see a fella who's mellow and fine
tell him to come and see me any old time
cause I know how to do it, I know how to do it
I know how to do it good enough for anyone
In "I Know How to Do It," Natalie Merchant makes a bold claim that she has mastered the art of love after 20 years of practice. She confidently sings that she can love a man better than any other woman can, implying that she has perfected the art of pleasing a man. The song seems to have a whimsical tone with an underlying message that the listener should be careful with their affections. Natalie Merchant warns that if you don't take good care of your man, someone else might come in and take your place because she can provide the love and care that he needs.
The lyrics convey a sense of humor and self-assuredness. Merchant acknowledges that she may be old-fashioned or not up to modern dating norms but emphasizes that she's confident in her ability to please a man. In the last verse, she invites any "mellow and fine" man to come see her anytime, further reinforcing the idea that she's a master of love and can satisfy anyone.
Overall, "I Know How to Do It" is a fun and flirty song with a message to love wholeheartedly and make sure you take good care of your relationship so that nobody else can come in and steal your man.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody needs practice in the art of love
Love is something that needs effort and practice to get it right.
20 years of practice and Lord above
Even after so many years of love experience, there is always room for improvement with a higher power's help.
I know how to do it, I know how to do it
The singer is confident in their love-making abilities.
I know how to do it good enough for anyone
The artist believes they are skilled enough to satisfy any partner.
If you love your man you better take good care
The artist warns that neglecting a partner's needs could result in them leaving.
you'll wake one morning and he won't be there
Failing to prioritize a partner could lead to abandonment.
I may be old fashioned, I may be dumb
The singer acknowledges that they may not be viewed as modern or intelligent, but they are still confident in their skills.
may be a square and I may be a bum
The artist is aware that they may not fit into certain societal norms or be successful, but they still believe in their abilities.
but I know how to do it and I dish it out with ease
Despite any shortcomings, the artist feels they can perform well in love and do so with ease.
So don't encourage me daddy or I'll go too far
The artist warns against encouraging them too much, as they may become too confident and push boundaries.
when you say, "please me mama, eight to the bar"
The singer references a musical term to imply their partner wants a lot of attention and to be impressed.
cause I know how to do it good
The artist reiterates their belief in their abilities to satisfy a partner.
So if you see a fella who's mellow and fine
The singer suggests that if someone is looking for a good lover, they should recommend them.
tell him to come and see me any old time
The singer is open to meeting new partners and showcasing their abilities.
cause I know how to do it, I know how to do it
The singer restates their confidence in their love-making skills.
I know how to do it good enough for anyone
The artist concludes by expressing their belief that they are capable of satisfying any partner.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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