What Have I Done to Deserve This? (with Dusty Springfield) - 2018 Remaster

The overall theme of "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" revolves around the complexity of relationships. It’s about wanting connection but feeling lost and empty when things don’t go as planned. The lyrics express a conflict between desire and reality, leading to a sense of helplessness. The singer grapples with feelings of inadequacy, wondering what went wrong and how to move on.

Verse 1

You always wanted a lover
I only wanted a job
I've always worked for my living
How am I gonna get through?

In this verse, we see a stark difference in expectations. One person seeks romance, while the other just wants stability. It sets the tone for the whole song, highlighting a mismatch in desires. The repeated question “How am I gonna get through?” shows the speaker’s despair and uncertainty about facing the future alone.

Chorus

I come here looking for money
(Got to have it)
And end up leaving with love, oh-ooh-oh-oh
Now you've left me with nothing
(Can't take it)
How am I gonna get through?

The chorus emphasizes a twist. The singer enters a situation hoping for something practical but ends up with emotional baggage instead. The mention of leaving with love but feeling empty speaks to how relationships can often lead to more confusion than fulfillment. It reinforces that feeling of being stuck and needing to figure out how to cope.

Verse 2

I bought you drinks, I brought you flowers
I read your books and talked for hours
Every day, so many drinks
Such pretty flowers, so tell me

Here, the singer reflects on the efforts made in the relationship. There’s a sense of longing and regret as they remember all the little things done to please the other person. It’s almost like a checklist of devotion, but it leads to a question about the worth of those efforts. They wonder if it was enough or if it mattered at all.

Chorus

What have I, what have I
What have I done to deserve this?
What have I, what have I
What have I done to deserve this?

The repetition in the chorus highlights the singer's desperation for answers. It shows a deep-seated insecurity and a need to understand why things went wrong. The question becomes a mantra, emphasizing feelings of guilt and confusion. It captures the essence of feeling undeserving and questioning one's self-worth.

Verse 3

Since you went away
I've been hanging around
I've been wondering why
I'm feeling down

In this verse, the aftermath of the breakup is clear. The singer is stuck in a loop of sadness and uncertainty. They’re not moving forward but rather lingering in their feelings. It's relatable, as many of us have experienced that sense of loss and the inability to shake off the sadness when a relationship ends.

Chorus

You went away
It should make me feel better
But I don't know, oh
How I'm gonna get through
How I'm gonna get through

This chorus variation captures the irony of the situation. The singer thought that being free from the relationship would bring relief, but it hasn’t. Instead, there’s a sense of confusion about how to cope with the loss. It reveals the complexity of human emotions, where freedom can feel just as heavy as being in a relationship.

Verse 4

You always wanted me to be something I wasn't
You always wanted too much, oh-ooh-oh-oh
Now I can do what I want to forever
How am I gonna get through?

In this verse, there’s a realization about the pressure of expectations. The singer acknowledges that they were trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t them. Now, despite the newfound freedom, there’s still that haunting question of how to move forward. It’s a mix of liberation and anxiety, showing that change doesn’t always equal clarity.

Chorus

At night, the people come and go
They talk too fast and walk too slow
Chasing time from hour to hour
I pour the drinks and crush the flowers

The imagery in this chorus paints a vivid picture of life continuing around the singer. People are moving on, while they feel stuck in their sadness. The act of pouring drinks and crushing flowers symbolizes wasted efforts and lost moments. It’s a poignant reminder of how life can feel mundane even when it’s filled with activity.

Outro

What have I, what have I
What have I done to deserve this?
How I'm gonna get through, baby?
How I'm gonna get through?

The outro circles back to the central theme of questioning and confusion. The repetition of “What have I done to deserve this?” lingers, leaving the listener with a sense of unresolved feelings. The plea for help in “How I'm gonna get through?” shows that the journey isn’t over. It’s a continuous struggle to find peace after heartbreak.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" is a deep exploration of love, loss, and self-doubt. The singer reflects on their experiences with regret and confusion, making it relatable for anyone who’s gone through a breakup. The mix of emotional struggle and a search for understanding resonates throughout the song, leaving listeners with a sense of both sadness and hope.