No Regrets

Robbie Williams

Tell me a story where we all change
And we´d live our lives together
And not estranged
I didn´t lose my mind it was mine to give away
Couldn´t stay to watch me cry, you didn´t have the time
So I softly slip away...

No regrets, they don´t work
No regrets now, they only hurt
Sing me a love song, drop me a line
Suppose it´s just a point of view
But they tell me I´m doing fine

I know from the outside we looked good for each other
Felt things were going wrong when you didn´t like my mother
I don´t want to hate but that´s all you´ve left me with
A bitter aftertaste and a fantasy of how we all could live

No regrets, they don´t work
No regrets now, they only hurt
(We´ve been told you stay up late)
I know they´re still talking
(You´re far too short to carry weight)
The demons in your head
(Return the videos they´re late)
If i could just stop hating you
(Goodbye)
I feel sorry for us instead

Remember the photographs (insane)
The ones where we all laugh (so lame)
We were having the time of our lives
Well thank you it was a real blast

No regrets, they don´t work
No regrets now, they only hurt
(We´ve been told you stay up late)
Write me a love song, drop me a line
(You´re far too short to carry weight)
Suppose it´s just a point of view
(Return the videos they´re late)
But they tell me I´m doing fine

Everything I wanted to be, every time I walked away
Every time you told me "Leave" I just wanted to stay
Every time you looked at me and every time you smiled
I felt so vacant you treat me like a child
I loved the way we used to laugh
I loved the way we used to smile
Often I sit down and think of you for a while
Then it passes me by and I think of someone else instead
I guess the love we once had is officially
Dead.


Lyrics submitted by tjordaan

No Regrets song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment
    This song is actually about his split from the pop group Take That, particularly bandmate Gary Barlow who he makes a particular dig at in the lines "You're far too short to carry weight" and "Return the videos they're late" - implying that this is the most rebellious thing he ever did! It's a very bitter song although this is sort of understandable given the way he was pushed out of the band. One of my favourite songs from the album "I've Been Expecting You"
    louloublueon March 11, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I first heard this song when I was living in France. I don't know if it was released in the U.S. I can really relate to this song, especially the line "If I could just stop hating you, I'd feel sorry for us instead"- I think this song is about a relationship that ended (obviously!) and the guy is singing about why things didn't work out, and even though he is not too fond of his ex at the moment, he still thinks about the good parts of their relationship, although he is in a new relationship now.
    papillonon May 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I thought this song was about his relationship with one of the girls from All Saints?...I think her name was Applegate or Appleton? Anyway...I really love this song because it reminds me of a person I used to date and we went out for like 5 years. First loves are always the hardest to get over and it took me a long time to get back on track. At any rate, whenever I hear this song it reminds me of how I used to feel but since I've moved on, I don't get that sad/hate feeling anymore.
    ladyzacon March 23, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    No Regrets is probably my favourite Robbie track. So raw and bitter at the same time. It was written about his feeling after leaving take that...how fake it al had turned out to be. But I think that today his hate is not so big anymore, and I heard him saying that it actually can be about any of those relationship that end up fading...like your former school mates, your childhood friends. Personally, I can't help being touched by these lyrics, since that's the way I feel for a very especial friend-boyfriend that's been in my life for more than 5 years, how he suddenly changed his attitude towards me and how hard it is for me to look back at the good moments we had without feeling angry or sad at him: "Remember the photographs (insane) The ones where we all laugh (so lame) We were having the time of our lives Well thank you it was a real blast..." That's how I feel today when I look at our pictures, I feel like everything ended up being phoney. It's a love-hate feeling that I hope I can get rid of, because I don't want to hate but that's all he left me with. I hope I can forgive him and myself as well for the mistakes we both made that drew us apart.
    Gabigson August 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is awesome! I LOVE IT! I love the way he portrays his feelings through his music. He's a great artist and I love him all his music!
    sparklin_starzzzon August 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This is purely a song from his heart, I love it! I just love relating to all the lines and playing it on the piano, it's so bitter with his strong emotion towards his former band Take That. Quite a few of his songs off 'The Ego Has Landed' are of that sense. The last chorus isn't right. It should be: "No regrets, they don´t work No regrets now, they only hurt (We´ve been told you stay up late) Write me a love song, (You´re far too short to carry weight) drop me a line (Return the videos they´re late) Suppose it´s just a point of view But they tell me I´m doing fine" I love how at the end the mood changes and he speaks his feelings and finishes on the note "dead." - "Everything I wanted to be, every time I walked away Every time you told me "Leave" I just wanted to stay Every time you looked at me and every time you smiled I felt so vacant you treat me like a child I loved the way we used to laugh I loved the way we used to smile Often I sit down and think of you for a while Then it passes me by and I think of someone else instead I guess the love we once had is officially Dead. "
    tom_RW_pianiston January 14, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i agree this song is about his split from take that, saying he has no regrets about leaving the band, also the way it says 'everytime you told me to leave i just wanted to stay' and 'i felt so vacant you treat me like a child' because in an interview once he said that the band members used to see him as the childish band member and constantly asked him to leave, i reckon it's a play on that in the last verse. Also 'your far too short to carry weight' is aimed at gary barlow because he's short and obviously quite fat.. so basically saying he's short and fat. Such a bitter song but also so much to relate to in relationship-wise, so many different ways this song can be viewed but it's amazing.. one of my faves!!
    kerry-oxon October 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Great great song...im amazed there are so few comments. This is one of my favs from robbie. It IS about his split from take that. I'm glad they're reuniting for a song (??).
    young_jableson April 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I know that this song is about his split from Take That, but I really feel I can relate to it. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
    lookingforasongtosingon January 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation
    This song's about his split from Take That and particularly his relationship with former band mate, Gary Barlow. Robbie has since made friends with his old friends and has sang this song recently and changed the lyrics in the last section to say "I guess the love we once had is officially alive"
    BennySupersonicon March 06, 2010   Link

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