A quiet question wrapped in harmony — a song about uncertainty, faith, and the fragile hope of understanding life’s deeper meaning
When What Could It Be? by The Osmonds was released in 1972 as part of their ambitious concept album The Plan, it did not storm the charts in the way many of their earlier hits had. Unlike the infectious pop energy of “One Bad Apple,” this song—and the album it belongs to—was never designed for quick commercial triumph. In fact, The Plan itself reached a modest No. 58 on the Billboard 200, a far cry from the group’s earlier chart dominance. Yet, within that quiet commercial performance lies one of the most deeply personal and philosophically rich chapters in the Osmonds’ musical journey.
At the heart of this project was Alan Osmond, the group’s eldest brother and the principal creative force behind The Plan. More than just a songwriter, Alan approached the album as a spiritual narrative—an attempt to express the principles of faith, purpose, and human existence rooted in his beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What Could It Be? stands as one of the album’s most introspective moments, a gentle meditation on the human condition and the eternal questions that quietly follow us through life.
Musically, the song is restrained, almost delicate. It leans away from the polished pop sound that had made The Osmonds household names and instead embraces a softer, more contemplative arrangement. The melody unfolds patiently, allowing the listener to settle into its reflective mood. There is a sense of stillness here—an intentional pause, as though the band is inviting us to listen not just to the music, but to our own thoughts.
Lyrically, What Could It Be? is built around a question rather than a declaration. It doesn’t claim to have answers. Instead, it lingers in that space of wondering—the place where curiosity meets humility. The song asks what lies beyond the visible world, what purpose underpins our existence, and whether there is a greater design guiding it all. These are not new questions, of course, but in the context of early 1970s pop music, they felt unusually sincere and unguarded.
There is something profoundly human in that uncertainty. At a time when the world was shifting—socially, politically, and culturally—The Osmonds chose not to respond with rebellion or escapism, but with reflection. What Could It Be? doesn’t shout to be heard; it gently reaches out, as if in conversation. It trusts the listener to meet it halfway.
The story behind the song also reveals a turning point for the group. By 1972, The Osmonds were no longer just teen idols—they were young men grappling with identity, belief, and artistic direction. The Plan was their attempt to move beyond the expectations placed upon them, to create something meaningful even at the risk of losing mainstream appeal. And in many ways, they did lose that broad audience—at least temporarily. But what they gained was something more enduring: artistic integrity and a body of work that continues to resonate with those willing to listen closely.
In retrospect, What Could It Be? feels less like a standalone song and more like a quiet chapter in a larger story—a moment of introspection in an album that dares to ask life’s biggest questions. It may not have climbed the charts, but it lingers in a different way. It stays with you, not because it demands attention, but because it understands something essential about being human: that sometimes, the most meaningful answers begin with a simple, honest question.
And perhaps that is the true legacy of The Osmonds during this period—not just the hits that filled the airwaves, but the courage to step into deeper waters, to ask, with sincerity and grace: what could it be?