I Had It All
Bahamas Lyrics


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I had it all and my breath held tight
She heard a call kept her up most nights
And worst of all wondering what about us was ever right

I stayed at home, dreamt of all we might be
Egypt and Rome, she saw all she could see
Then coming home wondering why she couldn't find me
Now measure time
To know what's mine
I'm turning around
I'm turning around
Turning on a dime

Done it before, dropped it all and I ran
I slept on the shore, woke up cold and tanned
I burst through the door like I was still, still your man

And I measure time
To know what's mine
I'm turning around
I'm turning around
Turning on a dime





I had it all

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bahamas's "I Had It All" describe a tumultuous relationship that has left the singer in a state of confusion and uncertainty. The song starts off with the singer acknowledging that he seemed to have everything he needed before his partner started to behave differently. He feels as though he held his breath, waiting for changes that he didn't see coming. His partner becomes engrossed in something that keeps her awake at night, while he is left feeling neglected and wondering what went wrong. He is left with the heartbreaking realization that they were never right for each other.


The second verse is about the contrasting ways in which the two look at the world. The singer prefers to stay at home and dream of possibilities for their future while his partner is out exploring new places and possibilities for herself. When they do eventually come back together, they are not able to connect, and he is left wondering why he couldn't make it work. The chorus brings in the idea of measuring time and trying to decipher what belongs to him. He decides to turn around, both metaphorically and physically, in order to try to start over.


The last verse is a reflection on the singer's past actions. He's "done it before"; he's taken off and left everything behind. He has woken up with a different perspective and a different tan, but he's still holding onto the idea that he's the one for his partner. He is trying to muster the confidence to walk back into her life and, this time, not let it slip away. In the end, the song is about searching for truth, sorting through the confusion and indecision, and ultimately taking action to give love another chance.


Line by Line Meaning

I had it all
I had everything I ever wanted


and my breath held tight
I was anxiously waiting for something to happen


She heard a call kept her up most nights
She was driven by a strong desire or passion that was keeping her awake at night


And worst of all wondering what about us was ever right
The artist was troubled by doubts about the strength of their relationship and whether it was ever meant to be


I stayed at home, dreamt of all we might be
The artist stayed home and envisioned all the possibilities for their future together


Egypt and Rome, she saw all she could see
While the singer was dreaming of their future together, their partner was busy exploring and experiencing the world


Then coming home wondering why she couldn't find me
When the partner returned home, they were confused about why the singer was not there waiting for them


Now measure time
The artist is taking stock of their life and evaluating what is important


To know what's mine
They want to determine what belongs to them and what they truly value


I'm turning around
The artist is making a significant change in their life


Turning on a dime
They are making a quick and decisive change in direction


Done it before, dropped it all and I ran
The artist has made drastic changes in their life before and is willing to do it again


I slept on the shore, woke up cold and tanned
They have experienced the consequences of their decisions and are willing to face the unknown


I burst through the door like I was still, still your man
They are still hopeful that their relationship can be salvaged despite the challenges they have faced


And I measure time
The singer continues to evaluate their life and priorities


To know what's mine
To understand what truly belongs to them


I'm turning around
Continuing to make a change in direction


Turning on a dime
A quick and decisive change in direction




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Afie Jurvanen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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