What do you do, I ask you
When they’re after you, I tell you
You’re going to go it alone
You know that you’ll have to leave home

You had a slick operation
Til she was taken to the station
They grilled her on where she scored
She broke down out your name poured
Down the highway you soared
na na na, na na na

What do you do, I ask you
When they’re after you, I tell you
You’re going to go it alone
You know that you’ll have to leave home
Two thousand miles to the sea
A new life with nobody
Stranger’s faces everywhere
Medicating your despair
Feeling that no one cares
na na na, na na na


Sometimes plans go as planned
And you beat the odds that they’ll get you
It’s a miserable life in demand
A paranoia you have to get used to
But they got better things
To do than to come and look for you
But then again maybe not
It’ll drive you crazy

Now it’s been about a year
You’d return but for the fear
Sometimes people get away
Still it haunts you to this day
The dealer that got away
na na na, na na na


Lyrics submitted by allenmiller247

What Do You Do song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    It means exactly what its titled i think. What do you do when you're confronted with tough situations. Pick one way or the other. Awesome song. Wish they put it on the album.

    Gman311on January 16, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its about dealing drugs and the constant paranoia of getting caught or ratted on by your clients to the police. Then escaping that lifestyle, but still having the fear lingering on despite the fact that you were lucky enough not to get caught.

    souljamikeon March 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Gman311 has the metaphoric meaning. souljamike has the literal meaning.

    jbond311on February 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    How on earth did any of you get your hands on this song?

    Sorry, I would comment on what I think it means, but I can't seem to find it anywhere... please help?

    tarnationson April 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    awesome song. you can download it from 311tribute.com.

    "2,000 miles to the sea" - i wonder if this song is about somebody Nick knew in Omaha or just someone he knew in LA later on?

    mae213on December 03, 2008   Link

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