What Have I Done To Deserve This?

The lyrics describe a relationship in which the two people seem to want different things: one seeks love, while the speaker initially wants work and money. The speaker becomes involved anyway, gives time and gifts, and is left feeling abandoned. Even after the other person goes away, the speaker is not relieved; they feel low and keep asking how they will manage. The repeated question about deserving this conveys hurt and confusion, rather than a clear accusation.

Several images suggest the speaker’s everyday life and emotional state. “I bought you drinks” and “I brought you flowers” list ordinary gestures of care, while “I pour the drinks and crush the flowers” makes those same objects seem part of a lonely routine, perhaps with the flowers losing their beauty. “Hanging around” means waiting or spending time without purpose. The phrase “Hell and back” is an idiom for going through repeated, very difficult experiences.

The lyrics leave the relationship’s exact nature unclear: it may involve affection, expectation, or a mismatch in what each person wanted. The speaker says they can now do what they want, yet still asks how to get through, suggesting that freedom has not removed their sadness. Near the end, the idea of making a deal hints that reconciliation or compromise might be possible, but the repeated refrain leaves the outcome unresolved.