Regrets
Ben Folds / Ben Folds Five Lyrics
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I couldn't keep the pace
I thought I was the only one moving in slow motion
While the other kids knew something I did not
But if I acted like a clown
I thought it'd get me through, it did
But that don't work no more
You're not a kid no more
Never did
Regrets, regrets
I thought about the hours wasted
Watching TV, drinking beer
I thought about the things I thought about
Until immobilized with fear
And all the great ideas I had
And how we just made fun
Of those who had the guts to try and fail
And then I ended up in jail
Regrets, regrets
But just for a day
Seems the police had made a computer mistake
Said there must be thousands like me with the same name
Anyway, I thought about the things I settled for or never tried
I never visited my grandma even once
When she was sick before she died
So I don't blame you if you never come to see me here again
Regrets, regrets
The lyrics of Ben Folds Five's song Regrets are a reflection on the mistakes and missed opportunities of the past. The song opens with a memory of the singer's time in second grade, where he struggled to keep up with the other kids and felt like he was always moving in slow motion. He coped with this by acting like a clown, but recognizes that this is no longer a viable strategy as an adult. He then laments the hours he wasted watching TV and drinking beer, thinking about things until he was immobilized by fear. He also reflects on the missed opportunities, great ideas he had but was too scared to act on, and the mocking of others who tried and failed. The song then takes a surprising turn as the singer reveals that he ended up in jail for a day due to a computer mistake by the police. This experience seems to have been a wake-up call for him, as he thinks about all the things he settled for or never tried, including not visiting his sick grandmother before she died. He concludes by acknowledging that he understands if people don't want to see him again due to his regrets.
The song Regrets is a powerful exploration of the human experience of regret and missed opportunities. It is a reminder to all of us to live our lives to the fullest and take risks, because the things we regret are often the things we never tried.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought about sitting on the floor in second grade
Reflecting on a memory from childhood
I couldn't keep the pace
Feeling left behind or inadequate compared to peers
I thought I was the only one moving in slow motion
Feeling isolated or like an outsider
While the other kids knew something I did not
Feeling ignorant or uninformed
But if I acted like a clown
Adopting a persona to hide insecurities
I thought it'd get me through, it did
Using humor to cope or survive
But that don't work no more
Outgrowing old coping mechanisms
You're not a kid no more
Realizing one's own maturity or age
I thought I'd do some traveling
Dreaming of adventure and exploration
Never did
Failing to follow through with dreams or plans
Regrets, regrets
Acknowledging a sense of remorse or disappointment with one's life
I thought about the hours wasted
Ruminating on wasted time or lost opportunities
Watching TV, drinking beer
Indulging in vices in lieu of pursuing goals
I thought about the things I thought about
Overanalyzing or obsessing over trivial matters
Until immobilized with fear
Becoming paralyzed by anxiety or indecision
And all the great ideas I had
Recalling past ideas or aspirations
And how we just made fun
Mocking or belittling those who dared to dream big
Of those who had the guts to try and fail
Disrespecting those who took risks or pursued their passions
And then I ended up in jail
Suffering a drastic consequence for poor choices or behavior
But just for a day
Suggesting a brief and inconsequential stint in jail
Seems the police had made a computer mistake
Blaming external factors or systems for one's own mistakes or misfortunes
Said there must be thousands like me with the same name
Feeling anonymous or insignificant in a bureaucratic system
Anyway, I thought about the things I settled for or never tried
Reflecting on missed opportunities or choices made out of fear or complacency
I never visited my grandma even once
Feeling regret for neglecting familial relationships
When she was sick before she died
Recalling a missed opportunity to support or comfort a loved one
So I don't blame you if you never come to see me here again
Expecting or accepting rejection as a consequence of one's regrets or mistakes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind