In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
He lives in his imagination with those friends of his very own
He doesn't get along with the outside world, he'd rather be alone
Sometimes when it's late at night, he starts to wonder why
The plans he made can never happen so all he does is cry
His parents, they can't understand why their son, he turned out wrong
He runs away from all the pain, forgets them when he's gone
He'd rather be all by himself because his plans they seem the best
He finally gets the nerve one day, now life becomes a test
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
I'm not the son you wanted but what could you expect?
I've made my world of happiness to combat your neglect
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Yeah-yeah, what you say, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
He doesn't get along with the outside world, he'd rather be alone
Sometimes when it's late at night, he starts to wonder why
The plans he made can never happen so all he does is cry
His parents, they can't understand why their son, he turned out wrong
He runs away from all the pain, forgets them when he's gone
He'd rather be all by himself because his plans they seem the best
He finally gets the nerve one day, now life becomes a test
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
I'm not the son you wanted but what could you expect?
I've made my world of happiness to combat your neglect
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry
Mom and dad, I'm sorry
Mom and dad, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Whatever you want, whatever you do, wherever you go, whatever you say
Yeah-yeah, what you say, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Lyrics submitted by OwnPersonalDemon, edited by jpaulo
Whatever Lyrics as written by Bob Mould
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Gotta be one of the top ten greatest songs ever written. Moves along with such an impassioned pace, sounding at first hopeful before sinking back down as he repeats his mantra: "Whatever you want, whatever you go, wherever you go, whatever you say..." He knows his life is supposed to be lived in subservience to his parents' wishes and he robotically recites those words with the hollowness he has learned. That's effecting enough...but the point of the song where he confronts them... "I've made my world of happiness to combat your...ne....gle...e...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeect"... His voice fading into tortured moans, as Bob Mould's signature guitar wash moves through a system of the most emotionally gut-wrenching chords I've ever heard. "Zen Arcade" is one of the most magnificent artistic achievements of all time, and "Whatever" is its highest point.
:)