Song Of The Weekend: Mike Scott – “What Do You Want Me To Do?"

Mike Scott the lead singer and songwriter for the band The Waterboys had a very prolific creative period in the 1980s and 1990s and is still going strong.  He never shied away from matters of faith or deep personal introspection.  While the music is certainly strong, the lyrics are what always catch my attention.   Sadly his voice is bit of an acquired taste or I think he and the band would have been much more commercially successful. 

The song “What Do You Want Me To Do” from his solo album Bring’Em All In resonated with me right away.  Rod Stewart also does an amazing cover version of it as well on his album When We Were The New Boys.  I found the following video of the song made by a fan quite fitting.  It is also a very appropriate song for this weekend.  Enjoy!

I’ve tried to do things my own way
and I’ve tried to do what people say
and I’m going nowhere fast
and I’m turning to you at last

What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do Lord ?

I can see the lights of home
but I can’t get there on my own
I can see the landing slip
but I need you to steer my ship

What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do Lord ?

I’ve been a fool and I’ve been a clown
I let the enemy turn me around
I’ve wasted love and I’ve wasted time
I’ve been proud and I’ve been blind

I’ve got a lot of things to change
a whole man to re-arrange
but if you’ll show me how
I’ll begin right now

What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do ?
What do you want me to do Lord ?
What do you want me to do Lord ?

I’m listening…

Related articles

• The Waterboys (21 March 2012, Leeds Town Hall) (faircomments.wordpress.com)
• The Whole of the Moon (valleyroadrambler.wordpress.com)

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