“Could Have Been Me” by The Struts is a powerful anthem that celebrates living boldly, embracing risks, and avoiding the regrets of a life unlived. Released in 2013 as the debut single from their album Everybody Wants, the song propelled the English rock band to international recognition. With its infectious energy and motivational lyrics, it captures the spirit of rebellion and self-determination.
The lyrics convey a strong message about rejecting mediocrity and seizing the moment. They emphasize the importance of experiencing life fully—its highs and lows—rather than succumbing to fear or societal expectations.
The song’s anthemic quality, combined with its glam-rock influences and raw emotional delivery, makes it a rallying cry for anyone striving to live without regret. Its universal themes of ambition and resilience resonate deeply, inspiring listeners to pursue their dreams unapologetically.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Could Have Been Me” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Don’t wanna live as an untold story
Rather go out in a blaze of glory
I can’t hear you, I don’t fear you
I’ll live now ’cause the bad die last
Dodging bullets with your broken past
I can’t hear you, I don’t fear you now
The opening lines express a desire to live a memorable life rather than fading into obscurity. The narrator refuses to be held back by fear or past mistakes, choosing to live in the present.
[Refrain]
Wrapped in your regret
What a waste of blood and sweat
Oh oh oh
The refrain emphasizes the futility of dwelling on regrets, describing it as a waste of effort.
[Chorus]
I wanna taste love and pain
Wanna feel pride and shame
I don’t wanna take my time
Don’t wanna waste one line
I wanna live better days
Never look back and say
Could have been me
It could have been me
Yeah
The chorus encapsulates the song’s main message. It expresses a desire to experience the full spectrum of emotions and life experiences, both good and bad. The lyrics emphasize the importance of making the most of one’s time and living life to its fullest potential.
[Verse 2]
Don’t wanna live as an unsung melody
I’d rather listen to the silence telling me
I can’t hear you, I won’t fear you
Don’t wanna wake up on a Monday morning
The thought of work is getting my skin crawling
I can’t fear you, I don’t hear you now
This verse continues the theme of rejecting a mundane, unremarkable existence. It also touches on the relatable feeling of dreading work and routine, further emphasizing the desire to live a more exciting and fulfilling life.
[Breakdown] & [Outro]
Hey
(I wanna taste love and pain
Wanna feel pride and shame
Don’t wanna take my time)
No
(Don’t wanna waste one line)
Hey, hey
(Wanna live better days)
Just better
(Never look back and say)
Could have been me
It could have been me
It could have been me
It could have been me
Yeah
Hey
I wanna taste love and pain
Wanna feel pride and shame
Don’t wanna take my time
No
Don’t wanna waste one line
Hey Hey
Wanna live better days
Just better
Never look back and say
Could have been me
The breakdown and outro serve to reinforce the song’s main themes through repetition and emphasis. They reiterate the desire to experience life fully and the determination to create a life story free of regrets and “what ifs.”
Deeper Meaning Behind “Could Have Been Me”
“Could Have Been Me” by The Struts delves into the profound theme of living life to its fullest and avoiding regret. The song serves as a powerful anthem for seizing opportunities and embracing experiences, both positive and negative, to create a life worth living.
At its core, the song explores the fear of unfulfillment and the dread of looking back on one’s life with regret. The Struts challenge listeners to confront their personal narratives and question whether they are truly living or merely existing. This introspective journey is encapsulated in the recurring phrase “Could have been me,” which acts as a haunting reminder of the potential for missed opportunities and unexplored paths.
The deeper meaning of the song lies in its call to reject mediocrity and the comfort of the status quo. It encourages listeners to break free from the monotony of daily routines and societal expectations, urging them to pursue their passions and dreams with unwavering determination. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the struggle between apathy and purpose, reflecting the contemporary dilemma of finding meaning in a world that often prioritizes safety and comfort over personal growth and fulfillment.
Furthermore, “Could Have Been Me” touches on the universal human desire to leave a lasting impact on the world. It speaks to the yearning for significance and the fear of being forgotten, prompting listeners to consider their legacy and how they want to be remembered. This existential reflection is a powerful motivator for personal growth and self-actualization.
In essence, The Struts have crafted a song that resonates deeply with audiences by tapping into the shared human experience of grappling with life’s big questions. It serves as a reminder that true fulfillment comes from embracing both the highs and lows of life, and that the greatest regret often stems from the things left undone rather than the mistakes made along the way.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.