On the morning when I woke up without you for the first time
I felt free and I felt lonely and I felt scared
And I began to talk to myself almost immediately
Not being used to being the only person there

The first time I made coffee for just myself, I made too much of it
But I drank it all just cause you hate it when I let things go to waste
And I wandered through the house like a little boy lost in the mall
And an astronaut could've seen the hunger in my eyes from space

And I sang
Oh, What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
What do I do without you?

On the morning when I woke up without you for the first time
I was cold so I put on a sweater and I turned up the heat
And the walls began to close in and I felt so sad and frightened
I practically ran from the living room out into the street

And the wind began to blow and all the trees began to bend
And the world in its cold way started coming alive
And I stood there like a business man waiting for the train
And I got ready for the future to arrive

And I sang
Oh, What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?
What do I do without you?


Lyrics submitted by SphagnumEsplanade, edited by SilverCattona

Woke Up New song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    This is the best "breakup song" out there. For lack of a better word, the lyrics are realistic. He doesn't romanticize anything.

    It is a sad song, but it is still hopeful, since he is waiting for "the future to arrive" after he gets used to being alone.

    He has the ability to capture exact emotions. His lyrics aren't generalized or vague like most others. In this song the speaker isn't simply lonely. He is lost, confused and afraid. The speakers freedom comes with a price-- that awful moment when you aren't sure what comes next.

    John Darnielle writes words that are so simple but they are so effective. His imagery is so vivid I feel like I am experiencing everything he sings about. I love the part about making coffee-- it captures the difficulty of adapting to being alone again perfectly. Even though he felt "free," he really isn't since the "you" in the song still influences his habits and decisions.

    I get goose bumps when he sings "what do I do?" It is almost like he is whispering as his voice goes higher. It is beautiful.

    ylimemion July 27, 2006   Link

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