Nick Ryder Songwriter

 

⭐ Song Review: What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Performed by Nick Ryder, Steve Dutton & Roger Kinder

“What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do” is a riff-fuelled rocker that blends sharp songwriting with standout performances from a trio of musicians who bring real personality to the track. It’s the kind of song that hits you with energy first, and meaning second — and both hit hard.

From the very first guitar line, the track announces itself with confidence. The core riff — performed by Nick Ryder, who also wrote and produced the song — drives everything forward with a restless, propulsive momentum. It mirrors the lyrical theme perfectly: even when life feels chaotic, something in us keeps pushing ahead. Nick’s multi-instrumental foundation forms the backbone of the song, giving it both structure and edge.

The lyrics themselves are a cascade of vivid scenarios and impossible choices:
“What do you do when the walls fall down…?”
“…when the lights go out…?”
“…when the monster comes…?”
The song manages to be philosophical, anxious, funny, and painfully honest all at once. Each verse is a new snapshot of uncertainty, until the chorus delivers the universal truth:
“What do you do when you don’t know what to do?”
It’s a line that every adult feels in their bones.

On drums, Steve Dutton brings tight, expressive playing that lifts the song far above standard riff-rock territory. His performance gives the track its heartbeat — dynamic where it needs to punch, restrained where space is required. There’s a clarity and confidence in his drumming that makes the whole arrangement feel bigger and more alive.

Lead guitarist Roger Kinder adds the perfect finishing touch. His leads cut through the mix with both precision and emotion, offering melodic answers to the lyrical questions being asked. Roger’s tone sits beautifully above Nick’s rhythm work — tasteful, expressive, never overplaying, yet adding the exact spark the song needs.

Lyrically, the final section turns into a clever commentary on modern overwhelm: contradictions from politicians, a sister calling with life’s latest drama, a neighbour shouting through a metaphorical megaphone. It’s funny, chaotic, and instantly recognisable — a snapshot of exactly why the song’s central question matters.

Taken together, the performances create a track that feels polished yet raw, thoughtful yet urgent. Nick Ryder’s writing and production anchor the song, but it’s the chemistry between Nick, Steve, and Roger that brings it full circle. Every player contributes something essential.

In the end, “What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do” is a powerful blend of lyrical honesty and musical craftsmanship — a rock song with brains, heart, and the kind of groove that stays with you long after the last chord rings out.

What Do You Do When You Don't Know What To Do is the opening track on Nicks new album And Now We See