Story Behind The Song

My brother-in-law and lead guitar player died very quickly from an agressive form of cancer. His wife had said a resounding "no" to all of his hopes and dreams for their lives together. After he was gone, she expressed regrets for not having let him live life more fully. I imagined this to be the song on her heart.

Song Description

A person realizes that they made choices to be "safe" and controlling in order to keep a relationship. After the relationship ends, this same person realizes they would have lived with more reckless abandon if they would've known that living safely would cost them a relationship.

Lyrics

(Verse) I would've bought that car - candy apple red
impractical in leather, convertible in summer -
I would've bought those wheels in shiny chrome
gone 0 - 60 in six seconds flat - if I'd only known

(Chorus) If I'd only known
If I'd only known
I guess I would've been impractical as hell
If I'd only known

(Verse) I would've booked that trip to someplace warm
though we didn't have the money and we didn't have the time
I would've soaked up sun and danced 'til dawn
not scared of looking foolish - I would've held you in my arms - If I'd only known

(Chorus) If I'd only known
If I'd only known
I guess I would've been impractical as hell
If I'd only known

(Bridge) We all know that life if often fragile
and no one knows the number of their days
But I know I would have been a lot less practical
If I'd only known what I know today

(Verse) I would've held you more when times were tough
I would've overlooked our struggles; I would've thought less of myself
I would've never let a moment pass
Without telling you I loved you more than life itself - If I would've known

(Chorus) If I'd only known
If I'd only known
I know I would've been impractical as hell
If I'd only known

(Chorus) If I'd only known
If I'd only known
I hope I would've been impractical as hell
If I would've known