Do What You Gotta Do
Unveiling Love's Choices: A Reflection on Linda Ronstadt's 'Do What You Gotta Do'
Lyrics
Man, I can understand how it might be
Expressing empathy, acknowledging understanding of potential difficulties in a relationship.
Kind of hard to love a girl like me
Recognizing personal challenges that might make it difficult for someone to love the speaker.
I don't blame you much for wanting to be free
Understanding and not holding grudges for the desire for freedom.
I just wanted you to know
Communicating the importance of the following message.
I loved you better than your own kin did
Claiming to have loved the person more deeply than their own family.
From the very start
Highlighting a long-standing affection since the beginning.
It's my own fault for what happens to my heart
Taking responsibility for the emotional consequences faced.
You see I've always known you'd go
Acknowledging the inevitability of the person leaving.
But you just do what you gotta do
Encouraging the person to do what they need to do for their own well-being.
My wild sweet love
Expressing affection with the term "wild sweet love."
Though it may mean I'll never kiss your sweet lips again
Recognizing the possibility of never being romantically involved again due to the person's choices.
Pay that no mind
Advising not to worry about it.
Just find that dappled dream of yours
Encouraging the person to pursue their dreams.
Come on back and see me when you can
Inviting the person to return when they are able.
Well, I know they make you sad
Acknowledging external influences causing sadness and negative feelings.
They make you feel so bad
Highlighting how others criticize the person's treatment of the speaker.
They say you don't treat me like you should
Pointing out the perceived mistreatment in the eyes of others.
Folks got ways to make you feel no good
Noting that people have ways of making others feel inadequate.
I'd guess they've got no way to know
Suggesting that others may not fully understand the speaker's perspective.
I've had my eyes wide open from the start
Asserting awareness and being truthful from the beginning of the relationship.
And boy, you never lied to me
Affirming the honesty of the person in their interactions with the speaker.
And the part of you they'll never see
Noting that there is a part of the person not visible to others.
Is the part you've shown to me
Acknowledging the intimacy and trust in the relationship.
So you just do what you gotta do
Reiterating the encouragement for the person to do what is necessary for their own happiness.
My wild sweet love
Reaffirming affection using the term "wild sweet love."
Though it may mean I'll never kiss those sweet lips again
Acknowledging the potential permanent loss of physical intimacy.
Pay that no mind
Advising not to dwell on that possibility.
Just find that dappled dream of yours
Encouraging the pursuit of personal dreams.
Come on back and see me
Inviting the person to return when ready.
Come on back and see me when you can
Repeating the invitation to come back when possible.
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