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.
Heard you hang up the phone oh yeah when I walked in the house
Let me ask you something shorty what was that about
Are you nervous? see you nervous, don't be nervous, I know your nervous
See I heard it, oh oh
You ain't fooling no body but yourself
I been knowing about you for a while
I been knowing about your slick style
Word around the way
That every time I go out of town
Your creeping around
[Chorus]
And girl I got to let you know
Its time for me to up and go
I don't think you even really cared
So whats a man to do
See the night we meet, all I could think you were so fine
Had to put that ring on your finger, oh girl
Gave you the finer things in life,
Paid any price just to make you happy, was I crazy, oh baby, oh girl
But I got caught up
In your crying games, when you were wrong
I was the one to take the blame
Are you nervous? see you nervous, don't be nervous, I know your nervous
See I'm hurting
[Chorus: x2]
I tried so hard to be the best that I can be
I gave you everything I gave you all my love
And time will tell, if I made the mistake I did
By walking out on you, so whats a man to do
[Chorus: x2]
Let me ask you something shorty what was that about
Are you nervous? see you nervous, don't be nervous, I know your nervous
See I heard it, oh oh
You ain't fooling no body but yourself
I been knowing about you for a while
I been knowing about your slick style
Word around the way
That every time I go out of town
Your creeping around
[Chorus]
And girl I got to let you know
Its time for me to up and go
I don't think you even really cared
So whats a man to do
See the night we meet, all I could think you were so fine
Had to put that ring on your finger, oh girl
Gave you the finer things in life,
Paid any price just to make you happy, was I crazy, oh baby, oh girl
But I got caught up
In your crying games, when you were wrong
I was the one to take the blame
Are you nervous? see you nervous, don't be nervous, I know your nervous
See I'm hurting
[Chorus: x2]
I tried so hard to be the best that I can be
I gave you everything I gave you all my love
And time will tell, if I made the mistake I did
By walking out on you, so whats a man to do
[Chorus: x2]
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
What's a Man to Do Lyrics as written by Roy L. Iii Hamilton Keith Sweat
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.