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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In all the references to the break up that I've read, it was suggested that the causes were the various substance abuse problems, the suicide of their manager and then Mould being forced to manage the band.
I don't see anything pointing to homosexuality in particular. There are so many ways children can disappoint their parents.
and norton had the look, but ironically enough, he was the only member of the band that was not a homosexual...
Anyhoo, as Zen Arcade is a concept album about a boy who runs away, I'd say this is some kind of letter to home telling his parents not to worry. BTW Bob and Grant did not have relations of the sexual kind.
"Whatever" is the fulcrum upon which Zen Arcade's emotional power rests, where its themes are spelled out and the depiction of home life in "Broken Home, Broken Heart" are brought to resolution.
The band is firing on all cylinders and it is one of Bob's most compelling vocal performances. Although Grant doesn't have a lot of tricks in his suitcase he does blast out a lengthy fill on this track that I love. After this track the is the dreamy denouement of "The Tooth Fairy And The Princess" answering the catharsis of "Whatever" with a long exhale, an entreaty to remain determined nonetheless ("Don't give up").
Also, check out Norton's stache...undoubtedly gay.
Anyone from the cities who was there in the 80s knows this.