The Zombies – What More Can I Do

About the song

Released in 1965 as part of their debut album Begin Here, “What More Can I Do” is one of the early standout tracks by The Zombies, a band that would go on to shape the sound of 1960s rock and earn enduring recognition for their innovative approach to music. While not as commercially famous as their later hits like “Time of the Season” or “She’s Not There,” “What More Can I Do” is a quintessential example of the band’s blend of pop, jazz, and baroque influences, marking a key moment in their development as a group that would push the boundaries of traditional pop music.

The song itself is a reflection of the emotional vulnerability often explored in pop music of the era. With its melancholy lyrics and lush arrangement, “What More Can I Do” expresses a sense of yearning and frustration in the face of unrequited love. The narrator, feeling the weight of a relationship that seems to be slipping away, poses the question, “What more can I do?”—a question that resonates with anyone who has experienced the helplessness of giving everything to someone, only to feel rejected or unnoticed.

Musically, “What More Can I Do” is a perfect snapshot of mid-‘60s British pop, with The Zombies crafting a song that balances a delicate combination of sweetness and tension. The song opens with a soft, jazzy piano line that builds into a fuller, more intricate arrangement as the track progresses, creating a sense of emotional escalation. Colin Blunstone’s vocals are perhaps the song’s most striking feature—his ability to convey both fragility and strength, a hallmark of The Zombies’ style, carries the emotional weight of the song with ease. The track features lush orchestration, particularly the rich, layered harmonies that are a signature of the band’s sound, foreshadowing the baroque pop style that would come to define their later work, such as on their landmark album Odessey and Oracle.

“What More Can I Do” is a song that didn’t enjoy massive commercial success at the time of its release but has gained recognition in retrospect as an essential part of The Zombies’ early catalog. In the context of the album Begin Here, which primarily consists of upbeat pop tunes, this song stands out as a more introspective and somber track. It highlights the band’s ability to move beyond the simple pop formulas of the day, showcasing their musical maturity and lyrical depth. While many of the tracks on Begin Here are rooted in standard pop song structures, “What More Can I Do” reflects a desire to explore more complex, emotionally resonant themes—something that would come to fruition in their later, more experimental work.

From a social and cultural perspective, “What More Can I Do” fits into a larger trend in the 1960s, when pop music was beginning to evolve into something more reflective of personal experience and emotion. While the early 1960s had been dominated by simpler love songs and carefree tunes, the mid-‘60s saw a growing interest in introspection, as artists began to grapple with the complexities of love, identity, and personal conflict. Bands like The Beatles, The Kinks, and The Zombies were at the forefront of this shift, moving away from formulaic pop and into more nuanced and experimental territory. “What More Can I Do” is an example of this transition, offering a more sophisticated take on the themes of love and loss, resonating with listeners who were beginning to look for deeper meaning in their music.

Musically, the song’s jazz-inflected pop style, with its lush orchestration and rich vocal harmonies, is a precursor to the more complex, genre-blending sounds that The Zombies would perfect later in their career. The band’s ability to seamlessly weave elements of jazz, baroque, and psych-pop into their music set them apart from their peers, helping them to carve out a unique place in the history of 1960s rock.

In conclusion, “What More Can I Do” is a beautiful and emotionally resonant track that exemplifies The Zombies’ early prowess as musicians and songwriters. Though not as well-known as some of their other hits, it remains a standout moment in their catalog, showing the band’s ability to balance pop sensibilities with emotional depth. The song’s understated beauty and longing lyrics continue to strike a chord with listeners, and its place in the The Zombies’ legacy is a testament to their unique musical vision.

Video

Lyrics

What more can I do? (Ooh, ooh)
You know I’d gladly lose myself to you (ooh, ooh)
But something always holds me back
I wish I knew what it is that stops me
From loving you the way it should be
Oh, oh, oh, oh

What more can I do? (Ooh, ooh)
I’m trying hard, I know I could believe in you (ooh, ooh)
But something always keeps a hold on me
And just won’t let me go, such a burning bully inside
While I’m trying to hide that, I want you to own me, own me, own, own
Oh, yeah

What more can I say? (Ooh, ooh)
I’ve said it all now, got such a love loose, a price to pay (ooh, ooh)
If you ignore me, what more can I do? (What more can I do)

Oh, what more can I do?
Oh, what more can I do?