What Do You Want
Scaggs Boz Lyrics
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To eat up your lies like it's good
(Your lies like apple pie)
(She don't even cry)
She is not a fool
She's just tryin' to do what her heart says to
To love you
And as you take to the wind
And as she breaks down within (within, within)
She waits for you patiently
Hopin' that someday you'll see
[That] all she really wants to be
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
What do you want the girl to do
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
[Can't you see]
What do you want the girl to do
All she really wants is you
She knows what you are
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
(Just say the word today)
(Build the world around her)
Now and then you'll promise
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
(You will see, you will see)
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
Cause ma she knows better
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
And as she watched your promises erode
She waits for you patiently
Hopin' that someday you'll see
[That] all she really wants to be
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
What do you want the girl to do
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
[Can't you see]
What do you want the girl to do
All she really wants is you
She knows what you are
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
(Just say the word today)
(Build the world around her)
Now and then you'll promise
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
(You will see, you will see)
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
'Cause ma she knows better
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
And as she watched your promises erode
What do you want the girl to do
Don't you know you're breakin' the child in two
What do you want the girl to do
Can't you see you're breakin' the child in two
In these lyrics, the songwriter is describing a relationship where the girl is being deceived by the person she loves. The first verse portrays her as someone who easily believes the lies and illusions that the person feeds her. Despite realizing that she is being lied to, she continues to love and hope for a genuine connection. The lines "She's just tryin' to do what her heart says to" illustrate her determination to follow her feelings and be with this person.
The chorus questions the intentions and actions of the person in the relationship. It asks what they expect the girl to do in the face of their deception and how they could knowingly hurt her. The line "you're breakin' the child in two" suggests that the person is causing emotional harm and turmoil to the girl, who is innocent and vulnerable.
The second verse demonstrates the girl's unwavering loyalty and commitment to the person despite their actions. She understands their true nature, yet she is willing to be their "queen" if they allow her to. The lyrics imply that the person occasionally makes promises of a bright future, but those promises ultimately fade away and erode over time.
The repeated questioning in the chorus emphasizes the songwriter's disbelief and frustration towards the person's treatment of the girl. The lines "What do you want the girl to do" and "Can't you see you're breakin' the child in two" express the songwriter's plea for the person to recognize the harm they are causing and to treat the girl with the love and respect she deserves.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of compassion for the girl who continues to hope and love despite being hurt repeatedly. The songwriter highlights the disparity between the girl's unwavering commitment and the person's inability to understand and cherish her, ultimately questioning the person's motives and actions in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
So you think the girl is crazy
You believe that the girl is irrational
To eat up your lies like it's good
To unquestioningly believe your deceptive words
(Your lies like apple pie)
Your deceitful words that are sweet and tempting
(She don't even cry)
She doesn't shed a tear
She is not a fool
She is not gullible or naive
She's just tryin' to do what her heart says to
She's simply following her heart's desires
To love you
To have affection for you
And as you take to the wind
And as you leave abruptly
(to the wind again she breaks down)
(she becomes emotionally distraught once more)
And as she breaks down within (within, within)
And as she feels immense sadness internally
She waits for you patiently
She patiently awaits your return
Hopin' that someday you'll see
Hoping that one day you'll realize
[That] all she really wants to be
(That) her only desire is
Is yours and yours alone, eternally
To be exclusively and forever yours
What do you want the girl to do
What actions do you expect the girl to take
[Don't you know] you're breakin' the child in two
(Don't you realize) that you're causing immense pain to the innocent girl
[Can't you see]
(Are you unable to perceive)
All she really wants is you
Her only true desire is to have you
She knows what you are
She is aware of your true nature
Still she'll be your queen if you let her
Despite that, she will continue to be devotedly loyal to you if you allow her
(Just say the word today)
(Just express your commitment today)
(Build the world around her)
(Construct a life centered around her)
Now and then you'll promise
Occasionally, you make pledges
All the way-out things you're goin' to get her
All the extravagant things you claim to acquire for her
(You will see, you will see)
(You will eventually realize)
(You're so damn glad you found her, found her, years ago)
(You're incredibly grateful that you discovered her, years ago)
'Cause ma she knows better
Because motherly instinct is wiser
As she watched you come and go (all you'll show)
Observing your frequent departures and the limited effort you display
And as she watched your promises erode
And as she witnessed your commitments slowly diminish
What do you want the girl to do
What actions do you expect the girl to take
Don't you know you're breakin' the child in two
(Don't you realize) that you're causing immense pain to the innocent girl
What do you want the girl to do
What actions do you expect the girl to take
Can't you see you're breakin' the child in two
(Are you unable to perceive) that you're causing immense pain to the innocent girl
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Toussaint
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind