Lead singer Brad Arnold said, "This song was strange, because I wrote the verses and the choruses at two completely different times. And I couldn't think of the verse for the chorus, or the chorus for the verse. I always sing in my vehicle on my way home from band practice, and one night I was sitting there singing, and I put those two together, and I was like, Duh. And like I said, I don't play guitar at all. But I can just like sit down and chicken peck a note out or something. I went home and got a three chord structure going for the melody of it, and took it to practice the next day. I asked Chris [Henderson] to make something out of it, and he came back the next day and he had it, and it just went from there. But that song is just really about following your dreams. And I know everybody has 'em. It's not just about following your dreams, though. It's a little bit about dreams that you've missed, and a little notion of regret, also."
The person in the first verse of the song is fictional, and Arnold left it open to interpretation on whether that person is older or younger. He said: "The difference in a good song and a great song, to me, is the difference in a good book and a good movie: They're both telling you the same story. They both have the same outcome. But whereas the movie is telling you exactly what to see and be heard, the book kind of lets you see whatever your mind comes up with, and it makes it a lot more applicable to your life in a lot of ways."
The songs second verse makes a reference to Northpark Mall in Ridgeland, Mississippi (adjacent to their hometown), a place the band frequented during their youth.
A music video directed by Liz Friedlander and Nigel Dick and was filmed at Black Park in Wexham, Bucks, England. An alternate version of the video was also made by Friedlander featuring clips from American Pie 2 throughout the video.
If I Could Be Like That
3 Doors Down Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(He spends his nights in California)
To live the life that’s in his dreams
(Watching the stars on the big screen)
Now he lies awake and he wonders
(Then he lies awake and he wonders)
Why can’t that be me?
He’s left a lot of things he’s rather not mention right now
Just before he says good night
He looks up with a little smile at me and he says
If I could be like that
I would give anything
Just to live one day
In those shoes
If I could be like that
What would I do?
What would I do?
She spends her days up in the North Park
Watching the people as they pass
And all she wants is just a little piece of this dream
Is that too much to ask?
With a safe home and a warm bed
On a quiet little street
All she wants is just that something to hold on to
That’s all she needs, yeah
If I could be like that
I would give anything
Just to live one day
In those shoes
If I could be like that
What would I do?
What would I do?
If I could be like that
I would give anything
Just to live one day
In those shoes
If I could be like that
What would I do?
What would I do?
The song "If I Could Be Like That" by 3 Doors Down is about the longing for the life that one dreams of, but cannot seem to attain. The lyrics describe two different individuals who are dissatisfied with their lives and long to be someone else. The first individual spent his whole life feeling too young to live the life of his dreams, but now he lays awake at night, watching the stars on the big screen and wondering why he cannot have that life. The second individual spends her days watching people as they pass by in a park, wishing she could have just a little piece of their dreams.
The lyrics go on to describe that despite the good intentions of these individuals, they still feel unfulfilled and unable to live the life they want. They both express their desire to be like others, even if for just one day, and question what they would do in those shoes. The song represents the universal feeling of longing for more, and the frustration of feeling stuck in one's current circumstances.
Overall, "If I Could Be Like That" is a relatable and emotionally charged song about the human desire to aspire for more and the heartache that comes with feeling powerless to achieve one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
He spent his whole life being too young
He has always felt like he is too young to live the life he wants.
To live the life that’s in his dreams
He dreams of living a different kind of life than the one he currently has.
Now he lies awake and he wonders
He spends sleepless nights wondering why his life is not the way he wants it to be.
'Cause in his life he’s filled with all these good intentions
Despite his circumstances, he has good intentions and tries to do the right things.
He’s left a lot of things he’s rather not mention right now
He has made mistakes and has regrets that he does not want to talk about at the moment.
Just before he says good night
Before going to bed, he reflects on his life and wishes for something different.
She spends her days up in the North Park
She spends her days in a specific park in the northern part of town.
Watching the people as they pass
She observes and watches the people around her going about their lives.
And all she wants is just a little piece of this dream
She desires to have a part of the dream life that she sees other people living.
Is that too much to ask?
She wonders if it is unreasonable to want a better life for herself.
With a safe home and a warm bed
She has a comfortable home to live in.
On a quiet little street
Her home is located on a peaceful street.
All she wants is just that something to hold on to
She just wants something that gives her hope for a better future.
If I could be like that
Both the man and the woman wish to live a different life.
I would give anything
They are willing to do whatever it takes to make their dreams a reality.
Just to live one day
Even just a taste of a better life would be worth it to them.
In those shoes
They want to experience what it feels like to have the life they dream of.
What would I do?
They wonder what actions they would take if they were to have that better life.
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@italianpoboy8874
I'm almost 42, got to experience the awesomeness of the 90's and early 2000's at just the right age. This song now makes me sad. The life I could have had. I miss the past so much.
@hcaballero57
I just turned 42 this past March, hearing this just makes me wish I was 21 yrs old again or even younger. I miss it so much too, living with all the regrets we made back then and wishing we can change things from the passed always gets me.
@VirtualSatyr
Amen brother.
@italianpoboy8874
@@hcaballero57 I always say the best part of my life was 1980-2000, hands down. I will never have as many great memories or enjoy life as much as I did back than.
@codyandjessisalazar3429
I’m 38 and grew up in 90’s early 00’s…the past was great at times! Wish I could go back all the time!! And this song… Oh my God… The memories!
@davidkrupinski7909
Yes brother ✌🏼
@ostcyr
God I miss music like that. In my twenties in late 90’s early 2000’s. Best decade ever. It ain’t the same no more.
@2698555
I would go back to that decade in a heartbeat!!!
@taniafleming4859
100% agree. I loved that decade. Still love this band. I always will.
@victorsimpson8847
I grow up in that decade 💪🦾💯