The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
People
Around the world they say I'm bitter
But I can say I'm not quitter
And you can't
And people
No they don't apologize
That's why we have to advertise
In the paper
I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing
So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
But people
Don't you know it's not polite to point and stare
No that's not the way to show you care
About the way you live
But I bet you don't give a
And people
You've got to give it up where credit's due
But you only did it 'cause I told you to
Well too bad so sad hope I didn't make you mad
I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing
Well the birds are singing
So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
So say what you want to say
And hear what you want to hear
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
If you want to be, got to be, have to be let me be free
Around the world they say I'm bitter
But I can say I'm not quitter
And you can't
And people
No they don't apologize
That's why we have to advertise
In the paper
I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing
So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
But people
Don't you know it's not polite to point and stare
No that's not the way to show you care
About the way you live
But I bet you don't give a
And people
You've got to give it up where credit's due
But you only did it 'cause I told you to
Well too bad so sad hope I didn't make you mad
I can't make you stop and listen
That won't save you
And I can't believe everybody wants to party
All night long until the birds are singing
Well the birds are singing
So do what you want to do
Be what you want to be
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
So say what you want to say
And hear what you want to hear
Live how you want to live
If you want to be free
Then you're going to be free
If you want to be, got to be, have to be let me be free
Lyrics submitted by shut me up
Do What You Want Lyrics as written by Billy Preston
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Gentle Hour
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
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I think you guys are wrong. I think this song is abut Drake being pissed off about some girl who made him pissed, like cheated on him at a party (which would make sense because of the talk of partying in the song) and he's telling her to get lost and do whatever she wants because he's out of her life. "Do what you wanna do (cheat, get drunk, fool around, go to jail, etc), be what you wanna be (a mean person without a relationship, unlike him who doesnt quit on relationships, throw his hands up in the air, and parties all the time, as it references in "But I can say I'm not a quitter), live how you wanna live (screw your life up while I'm moving on and being mature about life), if you wanna be free then you're gonna be free (you want to be single? then fine, because I'm leaving"." Another piece of evidence is at the end, when the answering machine says "Please hold for a new important message." so it could be like a call to his newly ex-gf as he breaks up with her, and if you listen to the song, it could just as easily be angry as happy. Try listening to it when you're mad.
i so agree.<br /> i couldnt believe the other comments.<br /> it obviously means this.
Pretty self-explanatory - do what you want. Be yourself, don't change for other people, don't be fake.
As for the "but I bet you don't give a" line, I really wish Drake wouldn't censor himself. Just say shit already! But the toilet flushing sound is semi-humorous.
This is a great song, it's so freaking catchy. As for the censoring, just take in account that many of drake's fans are under 18, so they don't really need that language yet.
I believe that the song talks about a girl that was with a guy, she probably pissed the guy a lot and went to parties till the sunrise, didn't apologize, always blamed the guy for all the stuff, the guy tried to help her, maker her listen to his advice but she din't want to so the guy got tired, and when she asked to "be free" he gave it to her, also the guy was more matured and conscious and she was probably very immature so that was why they couldn't go on...so the song is like a F*!k you to the girl...
This song is saying do what you want.. be free.. don't let people make you do things that you dont want to do blah blah blah. and then he says "You've got to give it up where credit's due But you only did it 'cause I told you to Well too bad so sad hope I didn't make you mad"
which sounds a lot like coaxing somebody into having sex with them. "Give it up" meaning virginity
and yeah, the toilet flushing is very funny, but it would be funnier if he just would come out there and say damn or whatever word was ment to be there.