I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Its so hard not to blame you
Its hard not to put all the blame on you
cause you knew from the start
There was one little part you would not let through
Im sure there were even moments when you thought
You might someday finish what you'd begun,
But that could've been anyone
Could've been anyone
I lost my place in the sun
Well, never mind
It could've been anyone.
So we all make mistakes
It just figures you'd make me the biggest one
I was saving it up
Now its spent and I don't know
What I spent it on
Now I find if you try hard enough
You can wear it down til its just about gone,
til you could've been anyone
You could've been anyone
Lost your place in the sun
Well, never mind
Could've been anyone.
Your pattern is different
Than what it implies
The words may be true but
I realize
It isn't description so much as disguise.
Don't worry, you can learn to live without
You've got a lifetime of that to draw upon
And anyway
It could've been anyone
You lost your place in the sun
Lost your place in the sun
Oh, you lost your place in the sun
Well, never mind
It could've been anyone
Never mind
Never mind
(I think that's enough now)
Its hard not to put all the blame on you
cause you knew from the start
There was one little part you would not let through
Im sure there were even moments when you thought
You might someday finish what you'd begun,
But that could've been anyone
Could've been anyone
I lost my place in the sun
Well, never mind
It could've been anyone.
So we all make mistakes
It just figures you'd make me the biggest one
I was saving it up
Now its spent and I don't know
What I spent it on
Now I find if you try hard enough
You can wear it down til its just about gone,
til you could've been anyone
You could've been anyone
Lost your place in the sun
Well, never mind
Could've been anyone.
Your pattern is different
Than what it implies
The words may be true but
I realize
It isn't description so much as disguise.
Don't worry, you can learn to live without
You've got a lifetime of that to draw upon
And anyway
It could've been anyone
You lost your place in the sun
Lost your place in the sun
Oh, you lost your place in the sun
Well, never mind
It could've been anyone
Never mind
Never mind
(I think that's enough now)
Lyrics submitted by alexandra_
Could've Been Anyone Lyrics as written by Jules Shear Aimee Mann
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.