Would've, Could've, Should've

Album: Midnights (3am Edition) (2022)
Charted: 20
Play Video
  • If you would've blinked then I would've
    Looked away at the first glance
    If you tasted poison, you could've
    Spit me out at the first chance
    If I was some paint, did it splatter
    On a promising grown man?
    And if I was a child, did it matter
    If you got to wash your hands?

    Ooh, oh
    All I used to do was pray
    Would've, could've, should've
    If you'd never looked my way

    I would've stayed on my knees
    And I damn sure never would've danced with the devil
    At nineteen
    And the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven
    And now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts
    Memories feel like weapons
    And now that I know, I wish you'd left me wondering

    If you never touched me, I would've
    Gone along with the righteous
    If I never blushed, then they could've
    Never whispered about this
    And if you never saved me from boredom
    I could've gone on as I was
    But, Lord, you made me feel important
    And then you tried to erase us

    Ooh, oh
    You're a crisis of my faith
    Would've, could've, should've
    If I'd only played it safe

    I would've stayed on my knees
    And I damn sure never would've danced with the devil
    At nineteen
    And the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven
    And now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts
    Memories feel like weapons
    And now that I know, I wish you'd left me wondering

    God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be
    The tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind
    I regret you all the time
    I can't let this go, I fight with you in my sleep
    The wound won't close, I keep on waiting for a sign
    I regret you all the time

    If clarity's in death, then why won't this die?
    Years of tearing down our banners, you and I
    Living for the thrill of hitting you where it hurts
    Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first

    And I damn sure never would've danced with the devil
    At nineteen
    And the God's honest truth is that the pain was heaven
    And now that I'm grown, I'm scared of ghosts
    Memories feel like weapons
    And now that I know, I wish you'd left me wondering

    God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be
    The tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind
    I regret you all the time
    I can't let this go, I fight with you in my sleep
    The wound won't close, I keep on waiting for a sign
    I regret you all the time
    Oh, God rest my soul, I miss who I used to be
    The tomb won't close, stained glass windows in my mind
    I regret you all the time
    I can't let this go, I fight with you in my sleep
    The wound won't close, I keep on waiting for a sign
    I regret you all the time Writer/s: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Taylor Alison Swift
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • AnonymousI love this song so flippin much.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.