What Am I Doin' Right?

Steven Tyler's 'What Am I Doin' Right?' delves into the complexities of love and self-worth. The song's protagonist grapples with feelings of inadequacy and disbelief as he finds himself in a relationship that seems almost too good to be true. The opening lines, 'I’m rotten to the core / What you hangin’ with me for,' reveal a deep-seated insecurity. Despite his self-perceived flaws, he is bewildered by his partner's unwavering affection, likening her presence to the rare and precious desert rain.

The chorus, 'Tell me what it is I’m doin’ right / ‘Cause I don’t wanna mess this up tonight,' underscores his anxiety about maintaining this seemingly perfect relationship. He is in awe of how effortlessly things are going, almost as if he can't do anything wrong. This sentiment is further emphasized by the line, 'I ain’t even tryin’ and she just turned down the light,' suggesting a sense of ease and comfort that he finds both exhilarating and perplexing.

Throughout the song, Tyler uses vivid metaphors and religious imagery to convey the depth of his feelings. Phrases like 'You’re what’s true was the words in red' and 'Like a prayer nailed to a door' evoke a sense of reverence and destiny. The protagonist sees his partner as a fulfillment of promises and prayers he never knew he had. The song captures the universal experience of questioning one's worthiness in the face of unconditional love, making it a poignant exploration of vulnerability and gratitude in relationships.