Could Have Been You
Joss Stone Lyrics


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Oh it's a shame
We used to be so tight
Tell me what's you're game?
Since you left me outside
I'm gonna change my track
Go anywhere but back, oh oh
When I think about it,
I'm better off without it

No gain, only pain
My heart can't take the strain
I can't sit on the shelf
I'll give my love to someone else

If you see me walking by
Hand in hand with another guy
Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
It could have been you
If you'd only treated me right
Out of sight, baby, out of mind
That's what you do (ooh ooh)
Could have been you (ooh ooh)

Huh huh huh huh
Huh huh huh (ooh ooh oh)
Huh huh huh huh
Huh huh

Ain't gonna wait, for what you promised me
Like a train, delayed
Forever so it seems
I'm gonna change my track
Go anywhere but back, oh oh
When I think about it
I'm better off without it

No gain, only pain
My heart can't take the strain
I can't sit on the shelf
I'll give my love to someone else

If you see me walking by
Hand in hand with another guy
Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
It could have been you
If you'd only treated me right
Out of sight, baby, out of mind
That's what you do (ooh ooh)
Could have been you (ooh ooh)

You could of been me my first, my last, forever
You had it in your hands, my heart, my treasure
The proof is in the memories
So sad to know this song was meant for you and me
What could have been
Ooh

(Well, it's a shame)
If you see me walking by
Hand in hand with another guy
Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
It could have been you
(See, it could have been you)
If you'd only treated me right
Out of sight, baby, out of mind
That's what you do (ooh ooh)
Could have been you (ooh ooh)

If you see me walking by
Hand in hand with another guy
Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
It could have been you
If you'd only treated me right
Out of sight, baby, out of mind
That's what you do (ooh ooh)
Could have been you (ooh ooh)

If you see me walking by
Hand in hand with another guy
Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
It could have been you
If you'd only treated me right
Out of sight, baby, out of mind




That's what you do (ooh ooh)
Could have been you (ooh ooh)

Overall Meaning

"Could Have Been You" is a Joss Stone classic, one that speaks volumes to the broken hearted who wish that things were different. At the beginning of the song, Joss laments that she and her partner used to be so tight, but it's now a shame that he's treating her badly. She wonders what his game is and decides to change her track and go anywhere but back because she ascertains she is better off without him. Joss also points out that there is no gain but pain, and she can't put her heart on the shelf, so she plans to give her love to someone else.


The chorus highlights the fact that if Joss sees her walking alongside another man, it would have been her ex-boyfriend. However, she says that it could have been him if he had treated her better. She reminds her partner that he cannot keep her out of his mind now that she has someone else.


Finally, she acknowledges that the person she's presently with could have been her ex-boyfriend had he played his cards right since she had always seen him as her first and last. The singer is also mindful of the opportunities they missed, evident in the memories they shared, and now they are done for good.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh it's a shame
It is regretful


We used to be so tight
We used to be close


Tell me what's your game?
What is your motive?


Since you left me outside
Since you abandoned me


I'm gonna change my track
I will alter my course


Go anywhere but back, oh oh
Go anywhere else except for returning


When I think about it,
Upon reflecting


I'm better off without it
I am better off without this situation


No gain, only pain
No benefit, only suffering


My heart can't take the strain
My heart cannot bear the pressure


I can't sit on the shelf
I cannot remain inactive


I'll give my love to someone else
I will offer my affection to another person


If you see me walking by
In case you see me passing by


Hand in hand with another guy
Holding hands with another man


Know that it's true (ooh ooh)
Understand that it's factual


It could have been you
You could have been the one


If you'd only treated me right
If you had only behaved properly towards me


Out of sight, baby, out of mind
When you are not around, I am not thinking of you


That's what you do (ooh ooh)
This is your habitual behavior


Could have been you (ooh ooh)
You could have been the one


Ain't gonna wait, for what you promised me
I will not wait anymore for your unfulfilled promises


Like a train, delayed
Like a delayed train


Forever so it seems
Seems like it will last forever


You could have been me my first, my last, forever
You could have been my beginning, end, and eternal love


You had it in your hands, my heart, my treasure
You had my heart, something I valued greatly


The proof is in the memories
Evidence is contained in our shared memories


So sad to know this song was meant for you and me
Unfortunate to realize that this song was created for our situation


What could have been
What we could have had


If you see me walking by
In case you see me passing by


Hand in hand with another guy
Holding hands with another man


See, it could have been you
It could have been you who I am holding hands with


Out of sight, baby, out of mind
When you are not around, I am not thinking of you


Could have been you (ooh ooh)
You could have been the one




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CONNOR REEVES, JONATHAN NICHOLAS SHORTEN, JOSS STONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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