Album: Human Clay (1999)

License This Song 

• I can't find the rhyme in all my reason
  I've lost sense of time and all seasons
  Feel I've been beaten down
  
  By the words of men who have no grounds
  Can't sleep beneath the trees of wisdom
  When your ax has cut the roots that feed them
  
  Forked tongues in bitter mouths
  Can drive a man to bleed from inside out
  
  What if you did?
  What if you lied?
  What if I avenge?
  What if eye for an eye?
  
  I've seen the wicked fruit of your vine
  Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind
  Human pride sings a vengeful song
  Inspired by the times you've been walked on
  My stage is shared by many millions
  Who lift their hands up high because they feel this
  
  We are one we are strong
  The more you hold us down the more we press on
  
  What if you did?
  What if you lied?
  What if I avenge?
  What if eye for an eye?
  
  I know I can't hold the hate inside my mind
  'Cause what consumes your thoughts controls your life
  
  So I'll just ask a question
  A lonely simple question
  I'll just ask one question
  
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  
  What if you did?
  What if you lied?
  What if I avenge?
  What if eye for an eye?
  What if your words could be judged like a crime?
  
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if
  What if I Writer/s: Mark Tremonti, Scott Stapp
  Publisher: OSM Berhad, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 14

• Jason from MarylandI can definitely hear the "Paint it Black" intro riff at the beginning of this song.
  
  But I don't hear the Zelda inspiration?
• Chad from WisconsinI get the sense that this song is a pushback to the often annoying question well meaning Christians ask
  
  What if you died right now, do you know where you would go
• Alan from South AfricaEmily - you clearly have no idea of what you speak. Probably still brainwashed by the powers that be that feed you your little daily dose of ideology that you're free as a human being to do whatever you please... maybe one day when you awake and achieve true consciousness, this song will also then resonate with your spirit like it does with mine and millions of other free thinkers.
• Joseph Trexler from Jensen Beach, FlWell... I just wanted to share that this song was the first song playing during the very first time I started tripping on mushrooms. The natural, cow s--t kind, not grown in an aquarium. I have to say, it does something to you. Like losing your virginity, you never forget it. I still get chills and Goosebumps up my arms and s--t anytime this song plays. Very eye opening trip, and anyone that has done mushrooms knows they seriously intensify music. This song has a meaning all its own for me. Wicked fruit of your vine destroys the man that lacks a strong mind. Yeah damn right, if I lacked a strong mind, I'm not sure I would have made it through that first trip. Like I said.. Carries a meaning all its own for me.
• Zero from Nowhere, NjI Think Scott Stapp is a good singer but nowhere near as great as Myles Kennedy. He's a great lyricist though.
• Angelica from San Diego, CaAll I can say about this song is, go Creed. You rock. And hey, they're back together!
• Landon from Winchester, OhSimon Conwell can go f**k himself. He can't tell certain bands that they can't attend American Idol. That over-rated termegant Carrie Underwood character made it, so practically anybody should have a shot at attending it. Simon Conwell sucks.
• Joe from Perth, Australiasimon cowell bagged this on idol when his show is an abomination and just karaoke sang by untalented retards deport the stupid pom
• Canopus from Cairo, EgyptHi guys...i would love to say that i'm Creed's biggest fan and i think that "What if" really has that special Creed flavour and i must say that i'm surprised of you Emily ( with no offence ) that you think of this song as a stupidlly written song...& obviously you haven't heard any other songs by Creed who are known for creative MUSICALITY mixed with Scott Stapp's unparalleled vocals and unmatched performance of Mark Tremonti , Scott Philips & Brian Marshall.. i hope you don't think the same about "With arms wide open"
  forgot to say that I,m Alter Bridge's biggest fan too...you have to listen to "Ties that bind" &"One day remains"
  
• Emily from Abingdon, VaThis song's lyrics are so stupid. They tried way to hard to be deep and ended up sounding like idiots. Luckily the public did not noticed because they were so distracted by Stapp's obnoxious voice and the band's general lack of any musicality.
• Chauncey from Omha, Nethis song is awesome!!!!
  
  Bought the greatest hits CD the first day it was out in stores
• Will from Des Moines, IaUh, nick, FYI for ya, Korn's CD came out a couple years after this CD did. But, nice try through.
• Nick from Elk Grove, Caoffed one by one? kinda sounds like the Alone I break video by Korn. Don't get my wrong, Creed is a good band(or they were)
• Stefan from North White Plains, NyFrom what I remeber, Stapp described this song as his revenge for those who picked on him throughout his earlier years. Basically saying (as his younger self) "What if I succeed in life, what if I don't" to his opponents. It was his was of showing how far he came in life without forcefully trying to make himself better than others.

More Songfacts:

Doctor My EyesJackson Browne

A problem with his eyes gave Jackson Browne the idea for "Doctor My Eyes," which became a song about a man whose mental health suffers when he sees the world for what it really is.

Kiss On My ListHall & Oates

"Kiss On My List" by Hall & Oates is actually an anti-love song - the kiss is just one item on a list, and by no means the best.

Harry Patch (In Memory Of)Radiohead

Radiohead's "Harry Patch (In Memory Of)" is about the last surviving World War I veteran to fight in the trenches.

Blue MondayNew Order

New Order got the title for "Blue Monday" from an illustration that read "Goodbye Blue Monday" in the Kurt Vonnegut book Breakfast Of Champions. The image refers to the invention of the washing machine improving housewives' lives.

Right Here, Right NowJesus Jones

The Jesus Jones song "Right Here, Right Now" was conceived as an optimistic version of Prince's "Sign O' The Times."

Super FreakRick James

The Temptations sang backup on "Super Freak" by Rick James. He mentions them in the song when he says, "Temptations, sing!"

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.