“What Do I Get?,” The Buzzcocks
After last week’s idealistic stroll down lover’s lane, it seems appropriate—particularly today—to present the exasperating side of romance. “What Do I Get?” is strikingly upbeat for a track that is a depiction of failure. This about someone who is down, but not out. Instead of feeling hopeless, the voice of this song is more bewildered by a lack of romantic success. The tone is almost playfully self-deprecating rather than resolutely bitter.
“What Do I Get?” can be found on the Buzzcocks’ must-have compilation, Singles Going Steady. The sparse melodic line feels spontaneous and lends an authenticity to the confessional quality of the track. The guitars are kinetic—a heart that is racing, but has no one to make it pound. The energy of the record drives straight to the end, with a final cadence that is a punky, du-wop surprise. This song is an influential part of English punk, and presents a refreshing take on the dilemma of a lover with no one to love.
