What Am I Gonna Do

Chris Stapleton's song 'What Am I Gonna Do' delves deep into the emotional turmoil of heartbreak and the daunting prospect of moving on. The lyrics poignantly capture the protagonist's struggle to envision life after a significant relationship has ended. Stapleton's raw and soulful voice amplifies the sense of despair and confusion, making the listener feel the weight of his sorrow. The repeated questioning of 'What am I gonna do?' underscores the uncertainty and fear of facing a future without a loved one.

The song uses alcohol as a metaphor for coping with pain. The protagonist drinks to numb the agony of loss, highlighting a common but destructive way people deal with emotional pain. The line 'Been drinkin’ everything on that shelf, Feels like I'm killin’ myself' starkly portrays the self-destructive tendencies that can arise from heartbreak. This vivid imagery not only conveys the depth of his suffering but also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of using substances to escape emotional distress.

Cultural references, such as the jukebox playing 'That’s The Way Love Goes,' add a layer of relatability and nostalgia. This classic song about the inevitability of love's ups and downs mirrors the protagonist's own experience, reinforcing the theme that heartbreak is a universal and timeless experience. The slow passage of time, as mentioned in the lyrics, further emphasizes the prolonged agony of healing from a broken heart. Despite the common saying that 'time heals all wounds,' the protagonist expresses a contradictory hope that time won't heal his pain, as it would mean fully letting go of the past love.