What You Could've Won
Milburn Lyrics


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It's closing time and it's getting late
Can you fetch my coat?
'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
But I want to stay
Don't you want to stay as well?

I don't think that you do
I've got this funny feeling
That you don't feel like I do
This conversation's just passing you by
I know it, I can see it in your eyes

You've had one too many, low and behold
You're telling the secrets that can't be told
It feels so special, it feels so right
But then you knock me back and I fall
I fall to the floor

And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight

I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
My minds being warmed up
By that little token of you
In your little way
But they're sleeping in your today

And now beeps the phone
I fumble round to answer
But I end up with it on hold
Late night taxis keep passing me by
I feel sick and look to the sky

I've had one too many, low and behold
The late night lovers stay out in the cold
I ring your number and feel so bold
You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor

And all he wanted was a kiss
All he wanted was a chance tonight

And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance was paradise
Just give him a chance
Just give him a sign or something
Tell him what you want

'Cause before too long he'll find somebody else
It's then that you'll know you want him more
You call his name and he doesn't respond
He knocks you back and you fall

You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a waiting list




You're not just a number upon a computer
Or a shopping list

Overall Meaning

The song "What You Could've Won" by Milburn is a melancholic reflection on a missed opportunity for connection with someone. The singer seems to be at a bar and wants to stay longer with the person in question. However, he senses that she is not interested in continuing the conversation and that she is too drunk to understand what is going on. The singer then leaves the bar and calls the woman, but she rejects him. The final verse is a plea from the singer to the woman to tell him what she wants before he moves on to someone else.


The lyrics express a sense of emptiness, longing, and regret. The singer wants more out of the situation, but it seems out of his control. He is left with a sense of “what if” and “what could have been.” The song captures a universal feeling of wanting something that is just out of reach.


The chorus, with its upbeat tempo and catchy melody, adds a layer of irony to the song. The lyrics mention that “all he wanted was a kiss” and “all he wanted was a chance tonight,” but it is clear that this chance will not happen. The chorus is a reminder of what could have been, and underscores the missed opportunity for connection.


Line by Line Meaning

It's closing time and it's getting late
The night is coming to an end and time is running out


Can you fetch my coat?
Could you please help me get my coat?


'Cause I don't feel too great anymore
I'm not feeling well anymore


But I want to stay
I don't want the night to end yet


Don't you want to stay as well?
Don't you feel the same way?


I don't think that you do
I don't believe that you share my feelings


I've got this funny feeling
I have a strange intuition


That you don't feel like I do
That you don't have the same emotions as me


This conversation's just passing you by
You're not really engaging in this conversation


I know it, I can see it in your eyes
I can tell by your expression


You've had one too many, low and behold
You've had too much to drink


You're telling the secrets that can't be told
You're sharing confidential information


It feels so special, it feels so right
There's a sense of excitement and intimacy


But then you knock me back and I fall
But then you reject me and I feel hurt


I fall to the floor
I feel defeated and overwhelmed


All he wanted was a kiss
He just wanted a simple gesture of affection


All he wanted was a chance tonight
He was hoping for an opportunity to connect


I'm walking home, I'm pissed and I'm frozen
I'm walking home drunk and cold


My mind's being warmed up
I'm reminiscing about our interaction


By that little token of you
By that small reminder of you


In your little way
In your own unique manner


But they're sleeping in your today
But you're busy with your current life


And now beeps the phone
And now the phone is ringing


I fumble round to answer
I struggle to answer the phone


But I end up with it on hold
But I accidentally put it on hold


Late night taxis keep passing me by
Taxis are passing me by and not stopping


I feel sick and look to the sky
I feel nauseous and gaze up at the sky


The late night lovers stay out in the cold
People are still out looking for love at night


I ring your number and feel so bold
I call you even though I feel nervous


You kick me into touch and I fall to the floor
You reject me again and I feel defeated


And yeah, your ignorance was bliss
Your ignorance of my feelings was easier for me to handle


Your ignorance was paradise
Not knowing how you felt was like paradise for me


Just give him a chance
Please consider giving him an opportunity


Just give him a sign or something
Let him know if you're interested or not


Tell him what you want
Communicate your desires and feelings


Before too long he'll find somebody else
If you wait too long, he will move on


It's then that you'll know you want him more
You'll realize how much you want him only after he's gone


You call his name and he doesn't respond
You reach out to him but he doesn't answer


You knock him back and you fall
You reject him and he feels hurt


You're not just a number upon a computer
You're a real person with emotions and desires


Or a waiting list
You're not just waiting for someone to choose you


Or a shopping list
You're not an object to be bought or traded




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH CARNALL, JOSEPH THOMAS GREEN, LOUIS IAN CARNALL, THOMAS LEE ROWLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Tony Cal

Lads this will always be a massive tune.

One of the first tunes i learnt on guitar back in 07, or 08

Hamsun Frish

What a great band🫶

TheAstronomyFloyd

Do you have the version of the video on the floor of the nightclub?

Ian Boyle

@TheAstronomyFloyd I may have it somewhere...bear with me pal

TheAstronomyFloyd

@Robert Corby nah the one where he’s on the floor of a nightclub underneath a stampede and then a girl also falls to the floor later in the video along with the rest of the band members

Robert Corby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clSIb05dpn8

ittipol jarulukkana

why you just posted this, r u guys gonna comeback soon?

Dr.Kauffman

Yeah, Tom Rowley collaborated with Alex Turner for new AM7 :3

Chris Williamson

Clown reminds me of The Reverend! Is it Jon?

paulstreet86

Seriously, what is this?

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