What You Gonna Do

Album: The Defamation of Strickland Banks (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Defamation of Strickland Banks is a concept album by English Hip-Hop/Soul artist Ben Drew, aka Plan B, about a British soul singer who finds fame with bittersweet love songs, but then loses everything when he ends up in prison for a crime he didn't commit. This is the closing track on the CD and it finds Strickland back in court as new evidence has been brought up on his case. The record finishes with the listener not sure of whether he is sent back to prison or released. Drew reveals more of the storyline on a companion album called The Ballad of Belmarsh, a hip-hop laden "series of events" that depicts the story of Banks.
  • Drew told Artist Direct that he always saw this track as the album closer. He explained: "As I was writing it, I did, which is why I try to namedrop every song on the album in 'What You Gonna Do.' When I heard the music, it just felt like the end song—whether it be the penultimate or the very end. I say, 'Just don't leave me on a cliffhanger,' and it became evident that it had to be the last song. On the hip hop record, you find out in greater details what happened in the Strickland Banks story. I knew that record was coming so I didn't want to disclose that information on The Defamation of Strickland Banks. That's why I left this album on a cliffhanger."

Comments: 1

  • Jenko from BedfordshireThis amazing song for ending on a damn cliffhanger. I love you Ben but why you gotta do this to me?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.