This Used To Be My Playground
Melissa Totten Lyrics
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This used to be my childhood dream
This used to be the place I ran to
Whenever I was in need
Of a friend
Why did it have to end
And why do they always say
Keep your head held high
Don't ask them why
Because life is short
And before you know
You're feeling old
And your heart is breaking
Don't hold on to the past
Well that's too much to ask
This used to be my playground (used to be)
This used to be my childhood dream
This used to be the place I ran to
Whenever I was in need
Of a friend
Why did it have to end
And why do they always say
No regrets
But I wish that you
Were here with me
Well then there's hope yet
I can see your face
In our secret place
You're not just a memory
Say goodbye to yesterday (the dream)
Those are words I'll never say (I'll never say)
This used to be my playground (used to be)
This used to be our pride and joy
This used to be the place we ran to
That no one in the world could dare destroy
This used to be our playground (used to be)
This used to be our childhood dream
This used to be the place we ran to
I wish you were standing here with me
This used to be our playground (used to be)
This used to be our childhood dream
This used to be the place we ran to
The best things in life are always free
Wishing you were here with me
Melissa Totten's "This Used To Be My Playground" is a song about nostalgia and coming to terms with the loss of a childhood dream. The song starts with Totten admitting that the location where she used to play and dream, her playground, has changed and her dream has been left behind. The chorus mentions the importance of not dwelling on the past and to live life to the fullest. The second verse takes a more personal approach as Totten tells the person she misses that she can see their face in their secret place; the place they used to play together. Totten has come to terms with the changes that have occurred in her life, but still wishes the person was with her.
The song was written by Madonna, Shep Pettibone, and Anthony Shimkin for the 1992 film A League of Their Own, in which Madonna also starred. While never released as a commercial single, the song reached the top 20 of the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in the United States. It was also included on Sony Music's tribute album to Madonna, "Virgin Voices: A Tribute to Madonna," which featured cover versions of some of Madonna's biggest hits.
Interpretations of the song suggest that it is not just about growing up, but also about the loss of a friend, a loved one, or maybe the end of a romantic relationship. Regardless of the interpretation, the theme is loss and coping with it. The line "The best things in life are always free" is a reminder that memories and love are the most important things in life and cannot be bought.
Line by Line Meaning
This used to be my playground
This location was once a meaningful and happy place for me.
This used to be my childhood dream
This place held my childhood hopes and aspirations.
This used to be the place I ran to
Whenever I was in need
Of a friend
This place was where I sought comfort and companionship when I needed it most.
Why did it have to end
And why do they always say
I question why this happiness had to come to an end, and why people always offer cliché advice.
Don't look back
Keep your head held high
Don't ask them why
Because life is short
And before you know
You're feeling old
And your heart is breaking
Don't hold on to the past
Well that's too much to ask
People often say to move forward and not dwell in the past, but it's easier said than done, especially when the passage of time makes us feel old and our emotions are still fresh.
No regrets
But I wish that you
Were here with me
Well then there's hope yet
I can see your face
In our secret place
You're not just a memory
Say goodbye to yesterday (the dream)
Those are words I'll never say (I'll never say)
Although I try not to have regrets, I still wish for the company of a person dear to me who has since passed, but I find solace in remembering our shared moments and special place.
This used to be our pride and joy
That no one in the world could dare destroy
This location used to hold deep significance and pride for us, and we believed nothing and no one could ever take that away.
The best things in life are always free
Wishing you were here with me
Material possessions and wealth do not bring true happiness, and all I truly desire is the company of someone I love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: SHEP PETTIBONE, MADONNA CICCONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind