Regret

Album: Regret (1993)
Charted: 4 28
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the difficulty in maintaining a normal life when one is a celebrity.
  • The Afghan Whigs used to play this at their live shows. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    John - Levittown, NY, for above 2

Comments: 3

  • Locks from WestchesterApart from romance, I think he's looking back at his life, quite simply and literally. It starts with all the friends and normal markers that make up the laundry list of life, and those are the things he doesn't long for, followed by the things he wishes he had. A real home instead of a hotel room. (See video for further evidence of that) Wishing to wake up from bed/depression/the coma of substance abuse, just to have a normal morning. They say he's naive to want these things when his life has all the trappings of a huge career, but truthfully, he's not you. He's him, and he wants a little bit of simple home especially with his new boyfriend.
  • Scott from Baton Rouge, LaGreat song. One of their better ones in my opinion. Michelle,I think the meaning of this song is probably what you described or something very similar.
  • Michelle from Los Angeles, CaTo me,it expresses the tension between what we long for in terms of love (something simple and uncomplex that gives us a feeling of security--"I would like a place I can call my own, have a conversation on the telephone") and our own baggage and limitations ("I wouldn't even trust you, I've not got that much to give").

    Many of us long for a profound and pure love that is unjaded and innocent, but any time we come close to achieving it, our own fears and doubts creep in. . . ("I was upset you see, almost all the time"- "just wait until tomorrow, I guess that's what they all say, just before they fall apart") Those of us who express our faith and hope in finding and holding on to this sort of love, are often told we are just "naive" and that it does not exist, but we believe we are just different. ("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 think the song is called "Regret" because the author allowed his own over-analyzing, doubt and fear to cause him to be moody and withdrawn with his lover--which ultimately led to the loss of what he most feared losing.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.