Regret
The String Quartet Tribute to New Order and Joy Division Lyrics
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The name and the address
Of everyone I've ever known,
It's nothing I regret
Save it for another day, cause
The school is and the
Kids have run away
Have a conversation on my telephone
Wake up everyday, that would be a start
I would not complain by my wounded heart
I was upset, you see
Almost all the time
You used to be a stranger
Now you are mine
I wouldn't even trust you
I've not that much to give
We're dealing in the limits, and
We don't know who with
You may think that I'm out of hand
That I'm naive, I'll understand
On this occasion, it's not true
Look at me, I'm not you
I would like a place I can call my own
Have a conversation on the telephone
Wake up everyday, that would be a start
I would not complain with my wounded heart
I was a short fuse
Burning all the time
You were a complete stranger
Now you are mine
I would like a place I can call my own
Have a conversation on the telephone
Wake up everyday, that would be a start
I would not complain with my wounded heart
Just wait 'till tomorrow
I guess that's what they all say
Just before they fall apart...
The opening lines of "Regret" by New Order are reflective and contemplative. The singer seems to be admitting that they have forgotten the names and addresses of everyone they have ever known, but they do not regret it. They are moving on from the past and are no longer concerned with those people. They also mention that the school and the kids have run away, indicating a sense of abandonment and loneliness. The singer wants to start anew and have a place they can call their own, where they can wake up every day and have a conversation on the telephone. They desire a fresh start without the pain and heartache they previously endured.
The second verse of the song describes the singer as being upset most of the time, but now they have someone who was once a stranger but is now theirs. The singer's trust in the other person is minimal, but they acknowledge that they are dealing with limits and uncertainties. They also address the assumption that they are naive or out of hand, but they are not the same as the person they are speaking to. The repetition of the desire for a place of their own with a telephone conversation and waking up every day without complaint of a wounded heart emphasizes the longing for a fresh start.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I've forgotten
Perhaps my memories are fading
The name and the address
I don't remember the details of the people I've known
Of everyone I've ever known,
Referring to every single person from my past
It's nothing I regret
I don't feel remorse about my failing memory
Save it for another day, cause
But I'll deal with this forgetfulness later
The school is and the
The school has been left behind
Kids have run away
The children have grown up and left home
I would like a place I can call my own
I desire a space that is exclusively mine
Have a conversation on my telephone
To be able to talk freely on the phone
Wake up everyday, that would be a start
To start each day on my own accord
I would not complain by my wounded heart
I won't give in to my pain and let it dictate my life
I was upset, you see
I was troubled beyond explanation
Almost all the time
This emotion felt continuous and consuming
You used to be a stranger
I didn't know you before
Now you are mine
But now you belong to me
I wouldn't even trust you
I can't rely on you completely
I've not that much to give
I have little to offer anyone
We're dealing in the limits, and
We are held back by boundaries
We don't know who with
We don't know with whom we must deal
You may think that I'm out of hand
You may believe that I'm acting irrational
That I'm naive, I'll understand
But, I recognize my gullible nature
On this occasion, it's not true
This time, however, I am sure of my position
Look at me, I'm not you
I'm not just like you, so don't assume you know me
Just wait 'till tomorrow
Let's see what the future holds
I guess that's what they all say
That's the common phrase, isn't it?
Just before they fall apart...
Right before everything crumbles
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN HAGUE, GILLIAN GILBERT, STEPHEN MORRIS, PETER HOOK, BERNARD SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind