The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'd spent a lot more time in the pouring rain covering my head
And I'd stood up to that bully when he pushed and called me names
I was to afraid
And I'd gone on and saw Elvis that night he came to town
Mama said I couldn't
I'd went skinny dippin' with Jenny Carson that time she dared me to
I didn't
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
I wish I woulda spent more time with my dad when he was alive
Now I don't have the chance
I wish I would've told my brother how much I loved him before he went off to war
But I just shook his hand
I wish I'd gone to church on Sunday morning when my grandma begged me to
But I was afraid to go
I wish I'd woulda listened when they said "boy your gunna wish you hadn't"
But I wouldn't
Oooh I, I'd don't a lot of things different
People say they wouldn't change a thing
Even if they could
Oooh but I would
There was this red dress she wanted one time so bad she could taste it
I should've bought it
But I didn't
She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow trimed in blue's and green's
But I wouldn't let her
It wouldn't have hurt nothin'
She loved to be held and kisses and touched
But I didn't do it
Not nearly enough
And if I'd known that dance was gunna be our last dance
I'd asked that band to play
On and on
Ooon and ooon
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
People say they wouldn't change a thing
Even if they could
Oooh but I would
Ooooh oooh
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things
I think we'd all do a lot of things different
And I'd stood up to that bully when he pushed and called me names
I was to afraid
And I'd gone on and saw Elvis that night he came to town
Mama said I couldn't
I'd went skinny dippin' with Jenny Carson that time she dared me to
I didn't
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
I wish I woulda spent more time with my dad when he was alive
Now I don't have the chance
I wish I would've told my brother how much I loved him before he went off to war
But I just shook his hand
I wish I'd gone to church on Sunday morning when my grandma begged me to
But I was afraid to go
I wish I'd woulda listened when they said "boy your gunna wish you hadn't"
But I wouldn't
Oooh I, I'd don't a lot of things different
People say they wouldn't change a thing
Even if they could
Oooh but I would
There was this red dress she wanted one time so bad she could taste it
I should've bought it
But I didn't
She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow trimed in blue's and green's
But I wouldn't let her
It wouldn't have hurt nothin'
She loved to be held and kisses and touched
But I didn't do it
Not nearly enough
And if I'd known that dance was gunna be our last dance
I'd asked that band to play
On and on
Ooon and ooon
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
People say they wouldn't change a thing
Even if they could
Oooh but I would
Ooooh oooh
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things different
Oooh I, I'd done a lot of things
I think we'd all do a lot of things different
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this song is one of his best. it really displays a lot of truth...
This is a great song, I believe it was kind of personal for him as well.
This song, I think, talks about looking back and seeing where you went wrong. I feel we all do that...think about something in the past that we could have done that would of made everything better or smoother. I agree with Zacster I think that Kenny put a lot of him personally into this song.
I just dig this song because he talks in it. i think it brings the message out more clearly. anyone who looks back at their life and says they wouldn't change a thing is just not human.
I also regret things I've done in the past, but I'm not sure that if I had made no mistakes I'd be the person I'm today. That's a reason why people say they won't change a thing - because they need to make the mistakes themselves. I do at least, I never get the point when somebody warns me. I've to experience it myself before it makes an impression on me.
sure theres "alot things i'd done differnt" if i had a chance...but everyone makes mistakes...you learn from those mistakes...but yeah alot of folks would change somethin if they could...there isnt one person who doesnt regret somethin in their life...
I agree with americaneaglechick there isn't one person who doesn't regret and if they say that they don't their lieing through there teeth!
I like this song because I can relate to it and I draw from my own experiences when I hear it. It seems like Kenny isn't just toying with the idea of changing things if he could, he literally wishes he could. He doesn't explain why that is. That implies he feels he would have enjoyed life more had he done things differently. For myself, I just think it's an interesting concept to reflect the past and wonder how much different lifewould really be if you had second chances. I think that is the best part of the song - it makes you think and touches a special note with those who like to reminisce. I personally wouldn't change a thing. :)
There are alot of times I get depressed and think back on my life, and at times wish I could go back to the innocent days, before I went through alot of hardships, made the mistakes I did etc... But all in all I am the Man I am today because of every event that transpired in my life, Good or Bad. I am not where I thought I'd be at 29, But I have to accept myself, Love myself, if i couldnt' , I wouldn't be able to Love anyone else. It all starts within. And as far as regrets, In those moments I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. But anyway as the song says, "I think we'd all do alot of things different".....very last line in the song. And I believe it's true. thanks for letting me add my thoughts.
There are alot of times I get depressed and think back on my life, and at times wish I could go back to the innocent days, before I went through alot of hardships, made the mistakes I did etc... But all in all I am the Man I am today because of every event that transpired in my life, Good or Bad. I am not where I thought I'd be at 29, But I have to accept myself, Love myself, if i couldnt' , I wouldn't be able to Love anyone else. It all starts within. And as far as regrets, In those moments I was doing exactly what I wanted to do. But anyway as the song says, "I think we'd all do alot of things different".....very last line in the song. And I believe it's true. thanks for letting me add my thoughts.