What If
Adam Friedman Lyrics

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What if I never met you last night
What if I did, what if I didn't
What if we never got drunk that day
Talking 'bout shit, I'll never forget

Yeah, those jeans you were wearing
The way you were swearing
Oh girl we had nothing to lose

What if I never fell in love last night
What if I did, what if I didn't

But we live
And we lie
And we love
And we cry
And we learn to survive
And we start asking why

I don't need no religion
Darling, you're enough to believe in
All this questioning everything let it all go
Who are we what would be all that I know
As you're enough to believe in

What if you never looked at me that way
What if you did, what if you didn't
What if you took the job and moved away
Forgot about us, forgot about love

But we got through diseases
You stayed for a reason
Your love keeps on preaching in me
What if you never looked at me that way
What if we stopped asking why

I don't need no religion
Darling, you're enough to believe in
All this questioning everything let it all go
Who are we what would be all that I know
As you're enough to believe in

I don't need no religion
You're enough to believe in

And when I'm at the gate you're waiting
Whenever my soul needs saving
You're the only one I'm praying to

I don't need no religion
You're enough to believe in
All this questioning everything let it all go
Who are we what would be all that I know

As you're enough to believe in
You're enough to believe in

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of Adam Friedman's song "What If," the singer muses on the possibilities of his life if he hadn't met the person he's singing to the night before or if they hadn't gotten drunk together that day. He reflects on the memories that have been made already, particularly her wearing jeans and swearing. The chorus goes on to reflect that even though events may not have gone the way he's describing, they're both still alive and experiencing the ups and downs of life that everyone goes through. The next verse reiterates this idea, wondering what would have happened if they had never fallen in love or if his love had left him, but that he's grateful for their experiences together, even the difficult times, and that her love is what keeps him going.

Throughout the song, there is an undercurrent of the idea that this love is enough for him--"I don't need no religion, darling, you're enough to believe in"--and that in a life that is full of questions and uncertainties, she is his rock. The final verse cement this idea, repeating the line "you're enough to believe in" three times before ending the song with it.

Overall, "What If" is about the power of love and the idea that it can be enough in a life that is full of uncertainty and questions. Friedman's lyrics explore the roads that could have been taken but ultimately, he is content with the path that the pair has been on, because they have each other.

Line by Line Meaning

What if I never met you last night
Reflecting on how different life would be if he never encountered his love interest on that fateful night

What if I did, what if I didn't
Questioning the outcomes of alternate universes where he did or did not meet her

What if we never got drunk that day
Contemplating a life where the two of them never let their inhibitions down and got to know each other better

Talking 'bout shit, I'll never forget
Recalling the deep conversations they had which still matter to him deeply

Yeah, those jeans you were wearing
Recollecting an outfit that stuck in his mind and made her stand out

The way you were swearing
Remembering her mannerisms and quirks which he found endearing

Oh girl we had nothing to lose
Reflecting on a moment of vulnerability and openness where the two of them let their guard down

But we live
Acknowledging the fact of life that they both exist and interact

And we lie
Admitting that humans are prone to deceit and dishonesty

And we love
Celebrating the important role of love in life

And we cry
Recognizing that human emotions go beyond just happiness and include sadness and vulnerability

And we learn to survive
Reflecting on the fact that humans adapt and learn over time, constantly evolving as they grow older

And we start asking why
Acknowledging the human tendency to question the reasons behind events and phenomena

I don't need no religion
Stressing that love is enough for him to believe in, and he doesn't require external sources of faith

Darling, you're enough to believe in
Stating that his love interest is the only thing he needs to have faith in

All this questioning everything let it all go
Encouraging the listener to stop overthinking and just let things be

Who are we what would be all that I know
Pointing out that humans are insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and that all we really know is our own perspective

As you're enough to believe in
Reinforcing the importance of his love interest as a source of faith and strength

What if you never looked at me that way
Speculating a life where his love interest never had romantic interest in him

What if you did, what if you didn't
Questioning the different paths his life could have taken if his crush had or hadn't returned his feelings

What if you took the job and moved away
Pondering a situation where his love interest (potentially) chose to prioritize her career over their relationship

Forgot about us, forgot about love
Imagining a future scenario where his love interest has moved on and completely forgotten about him

But we got through diseases
Celebrating the fact that they have overcome hardships together in the past

You stayed for a reason
Affirming that his love interest has continuously chosen to stay in his life for a specific purpose

Your love keeps on preaching in me
Attributing his personal growth and development to the impact that his love interest has had on his life

What if we stopped asking why
Encouraging the idea of accepting life events as they are, and not wasting time questioning everything

And when I'm at the gate you're waiting
Metaphorically describing a moment in the future where his love interest will be there to greet him

Whenever my soul needs saving
Describing his love interest as a source of solace and emotional support

You're the only one I'm praying to
Stating that his love interest is the sole focus of his faith and prayers

You're enough to believe in
Repeating the notion that his love interest is his sole source of faith

Contributed by Anna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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