The song "What You'll Do When I'm Gone" by Waylon Jennings revolves around a person who is contemplating leaving a relationship. The lyrics depict the narrator's inner turmoil and their struggle to decide whether to stay or leave. The opening lines, "Staring at the door, Every night I'm thinking more and more, About walking out that door," reveal the narrator's constant thoughts and desire to leave. They are unsure about when, but they know someday they will. The lyrics also suggest that even though the relationship may have had good times, they were ultimately wrong for each other. The line, "As right as we were we are wrong, Nothing's going to change what we've done," implies that their past actions have created irreparable damage. The narrator's hesitation to leave stems from their concern about the other person's reaction. They wonder, "Is wondering what you'll do when I'm gone." Despite their desire to leave, they are still emotionally attached and curious about how the other person will cope without them. There is a sense of sadness and resignation in the lyrics when the narrator talks about the goodbye they see in the other person's eyes. They feel that the other person's eyes are telling them it's over, contributing to their internal struggle. The song also explores the narrator's feelings of jealousy and insecurity. They admit, "But my thoughts of someone else here by your side, That's killing me inside." This suggests that the narrator suspects their partner may be interested in someone else, intensifying their desire to leave the relationship. In summary, "What You'll Do When I'm Gone" portrays the turmoil and conflicting emotions of a person contemplating leaving a relationship. It delves into their thoughts of departure, doubts about the other person's reaction, and the painful realization of their own unfulfilled desires.
