What Else Can I Do? by Diane Guerrero Lyrics Meaning – Unearthing the Depths of Personal Growth and Authenticity
Lyrics
Something sharp, something new
It’s not symmetrical or perfect
But it’s beautiful and it’s mine
What else can I do?
Bring it in, bring it in
Good talk, bring it in, bring it in (what else can I do?)
Let’s walk, bring it in, bring it in
Free hugs, bring it in, bring it in
I grow rows and rows of roses
Flor de mayo, by the mile
I make perfect, practiced poses
So much hides behind my smile
What could I do if I just grew what I was feelin’ in the moment?
(Do you know where you’re going? Whoa)
What could I do if I just knew it didn’t need to be perfect?
It just needed to be? And they’d let me be?
A hurricane of jacarandas
Strangling figs (big), hanging vines (this is fine)
Palma de cera fills the air as I climb
And I push through
What else can I do?
Can I deliver us a river of sundew?
Careful, it’s carnivorous, a little just won’t do
I wanna feel the shiver of something new
I’m so sick of pretty, I want something true, don’t you?
You just seem like your life’s been a dream (whoa)
Since the moment you opened your eyes
(How far do these roots go down?)
All I know are the blossoms you grow (whoa)
But it’s awesome to see how you rise
How far can I rise?
Through the roof, to the skies
Let’s go
A hurricane of jacarandas (woo)
Strangling figs (go), hanging vines (grow)
Palma de cera fills the air as I climb
And I push through
What else, what else?
What can you do when you are deeply, madly, truly in the moment?
(Seize the moment, keep goin’)
What can you do when you know who you wanna be is imperfect?
But I’ll still be okay
Hey, everybody clear the way, woo
I’m comin’ through with tabebuia (she’s comin’ through with that boo-yeah)
Making waves (making waves), changing minds (you’ve changed mine)
The way is clearer ’cause you’re here, and well
I owe this all to you
What else can I do?
(Show ’em what you can do)
What else can I do?
(There’s nothing you can’t do)
What else can I do?
Hidden beneath the catchy tune and vibrant energy of Diane Guerrero’s ‘What Else Can I Do?’ lies a profound exploration of self-discovery, authenticity, and the release from perfectionism. Guerrero, known for her work both on screen and in activism brings to life a narrative that is at once deeply personal and undeniably universal.
The song, featuring upbeat tempos and a lively melody, acts as a conduit for Guerrero’s reflection on the constraints of conformity, and the liberation found in embracing one’s true self, imperfections and all. Here, we dive headfirst into the layers of meaning woven throughout ‘What Else Can I Do?’, peeling back the lyrical petals to reveal the rich, blooming message at its core.
The Cry for Authenticity in a Perfectly Posed World
Diane Guerrero’s lyrics open a dialogue on the pressures of maintaining a flawlessly cultivated exterior, symbolized through ‘rows and rows of roses’ and ‘perfect, practiced poses’. This representation of societal expectations is met with a rhetorical question that challenges the listener to consider the beauty inherent in raw, genuine emotion and the courage to present one’s true self to the world.
The juxtaposition of what is ‘symmetrical or perfect’ with what is ‘beautiful and mine’ serves as a rallying cry for the acceptance of individuality, and a rejection of the cookie-cutter mold often celebrated in both the music industry and society at large.
Embracing the Storm: The Symbolism of Nature’s Chaos
A striking feature of Guerrero’s song is the recurrent reference to the turmoil within nature, conveyed through images like a ‘hurricane of jacarandas’ and ‘strangling figs’. These powerful metaphors reflect inner chaos, suggesting a cathartic release through the acceptance of one’s messy, untamed inner landscape.
In these metaphors, there’s an assertion that growth and true progress aren’t found in the calm, but in the storm. Guerrero’s use of vivid, natural imagery effectively illustrates the point that beauty and strength are often born from what is wild and uncontrolled.
A Revelation of the Song’s Hidden Meaning
At the heart of ‘What Else Can I Do?’ lies a hidden meaning, a secret whispered between the lines. It’s an invitation to ponder the potency of living in the present. The song challenges the myth of perfection, questioning ‘What could I do if I just grew what I was feelin’ in the moment?’ It speaks to the value of spontaneity and the authenticity of experience over the illusion of perfection.
This anthem to authenticity insists on taking action without the burden of ensuring each step is free of flaws. It suggests that embracing one’s imperfections can lead to a life more rich and fulfilling than one spent chasing an unattainable ideal.
Dismantling Perfection: Memorable Lines that Resonate
Lines like ‘I wanna feel the shiver of something new’ and ‘I’m so sick of pretty, I want something true’ resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt restrained by the desire to please or to fit into a mold. These words serve as a revelation that something more genuine lies beyond the facade of perfection—a desire for experiences that are real and heartfelt, even if they are imperfect or unconventional.
Guerrero’s memorable language taps into the collective yearning for truth and meaning in an often superficial world, encouraging listeners to seek out and cherish the shivers of the new, the raw, and the real.
The Rallying Cry for Self-Liberation
In the climactic crescendo of ‘What Else Can I Do?’, Guerrero doesn’t just ask; she declares her intention to break free. She embodies the empowered individual who actively chooses to let go of the reins of self-restraint. This part of the song is a rallying cry for listeners to make their own waves, to change minds, and to clear the way for the rush of liberation that comes from self-acceptance.
It’s a metaphorical embrace of the tabebuia, a tree known for its resilience and stunning blooms. The song culminates in recognition of the collective effort it takes to reach this point of freedom, suggesting that personal growth isn’t just an individual journey, but one that can inspire and lift others as well.
