If Only
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics

If I only knew what I know
If I had the knowledge I have now, I wouldn't have made the mistakes I made before.

I would not have done what I did.
I regret my past actions.

You said all along I was wrong
You warned me about my mistakes beforehand.

But I went and did it anyway.
Despite your advice, I still made the wrong decision.

Yes, I went and did it anyway.
I acted impulsively, without considering the consequences.

But if only... (you should listen)
I wish I had listened to your warning.

But if only... (stop and think)
I should have taken more time to consider my actions.

I was in control (so I thought)
I believed I had everything under control.

With a foolproof plan - what a joke!
I thought my plan was perfect, but it turned out to be a terrible idea.

Proving what a fool I can be
My actions made me look foolish.

As it all exploded in my face.
My plan fell apart and I faced the consequences.

Whatever made me do it anyway?
I'm not sure why I made the bad decision.

But if only... (time's a-wasting)
I need to stop dwelling on the past and move forward.

But if only... (Just move on)
I should let go of my regret and focus on the future.

But if only... (No use chasing)
There's no point in trying to change what's already happened.

But if only... (What is gone)
I can't change past events.

Oh, you sentimental fool,
The artist is chastising themselves for being overly sentimental.

You're finding out life can be cruel,
The singer has realized that life can be harsh and unforgiving.

You cannot bend the rules.
There are some things in life that cannot be changed.

You sentimental fool,
The artist is still berating themselves for being too emotional.

You find some coal and think that you'll
The artist is comparing themselves to someone who thinks they can easily turn coal into a precious jewel.

Create a precious jewel.
The artist is hoping for a positive outcome, despite the odds.

But if only... (something ventured)
The singer is willing to take risks and try new things.

But if only... (nothing gained)
The artist acknowledges that sometimes taking risks doesn't pay off.

But if only... (You were captured)
The singer wishes they had been prevented from making a bad decision.

But if only... (By your game)
The singer acknowledges that they made the wrong decision.

Oh, you temperamental fool,
The singer is now criticizing themselves for being too temperamental.

You've got to keep your engine cool -
The artist knows that they need to stay calm and rational.

You're burning too much fuel.
The artist is using up too much energy.

Oh, you temperamental fool
The singer is still angry with themselves for being too fiery.

You think you'll find somebody who'll
The singer is looking for someone to understand them.

Be warm when you are cool.
The artist is looking for someone who will be loving and supportive when they are feeling down.

You temperamental fool!
The artist is still criticizing themselves for being too emotional and impulsive.

Picking myself up off the ground
The artist is trying to recover from their mistakes.

Everybody knows how that feels!
The singer assumes that everyone has felt this way before.

To be wrong again, as I know I will
The artist knows they will make mistakes again in the future.

It really doesn't matter anyway
The singer has accepted that their mistakes are in the past and it's time to move forward.

But if only... (time's a wasting)
The singer still wishes they had made better decisions in the past.

But if only... (just move on)
The singer is still trying to find closure and move on from their past mistakes.

But if only... (no use chasing)
It's pointless to keep dwelling on past events.

But if only... (what is gone)
The past cannot be changed, so it's time to focus on the present and future.

But if only... (catching rainbows)
The singer knows that some things are impossible to achieve.

But if only... (can't be done)
The singer has accepted that some things can't be changed or solved.

But if only... (fleeting haloes)
The artist is recognizing that some things are only temporary.

But if only... (of the sun)
The artist is reflecting on the transience of happiness.