I'm back, back in town
And everything has changed
I feel, feel let down
The faces stay the same
I see, see shadows
Of who we used to be
When I drive, drive so slow
Through this memory

When we were only kids
And we were best of friends
And we hoped for the best
And let go of the rest

I heard, heard myself
Say things I take back
If I could, could retell
And make these stories last
I see, see shadows
Of who we'll always be
When I drive, drive these roads
That made our memories

When we were only kids
And we were best of friends
And we hoped for the best
And let go from the rest
The shadows and regrets
We let go of the rest

Everything has changed (everything has changed)
The faces stay the same (faces stay the same)
Everything has changed (everything has changed)
The faces stay the same

And we were only kids
And our time couldn't end
And how tall did we stand
With the world in my hands

And we were only kids
And we were best of friends
And we hoped for the best
And let go of the rest
The shadows and regrets
We let go of the rest
The shadows and regrets
We let go of the rest


Lyrics submitted by Avalanche1

Shadows and Regrets Lyrics as written by Peter Michael Mosely Longineu Warren Iii Parsons

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Shadows and Regrets song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is a new song from their new album titled 'Paper Walls'. Check it out here: youtube.com/watch

    Avalanche1on April 08, 2007   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    To me, this song is about a young love. ("We were only kids and we were best of friends." / "As I drive, drive these roads that made our memories.") Young love is usually blissfully unaware of the things around them, focusing on their own happiness. ("We hoped for the best and let go of the rest.") The singer returns home from some time away for whatever reason and is disappointed to find that things are nothing like he left them. ("I'm back, back in town, and everything has changed.") He seems to regret leaving and is nostalgic for the good times he had. ("I see, see shadows of who we used to be" / "And how tall did we stand, with the world in our hands?") Basically, the singer is reminiscing about his youth and the simplicity of those times, whether they were spent with a girl or not.

    SoWrongItsElleon July 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    hmm. is it about ben harper?

    yellowcardicalon April 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    and ????????????????????=when time couldn't end ?

    yellowcardicalon April 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    These lyrics are a bit off. I just listened to the song a few times (i found the leak!!) and here are the correct lyrics:

    i'm back, back in town and everything has changed I feel, feel let down the faces stay the same

    I see, see shadows of who we used to be when I drive, drive so slow, through this memory

    when we were only kids and we were best of friends and we hoped for the best and let go of the rest

    I heard, heard myself say things I'd take back If I could, could re-tale and make these stories last

    I see, see shadows of who we'll always be when I drive, drive these roads that made our memories

    when we were only kids and we were best of friends and we hoped for the best and let go of the rest

    the shadows and regrets we let go of the rest

    everything has changed, the faces stay the same X2

    when we were only kids and our time couldn't end and how tall did we stand with the world in our hands

    we were only kids and we were best of friends and we hoped for the best and let go of the rest

    The Shadows and Regrets, we let go of the rest X2

    Angelgitlolifon June 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ^^ that's from the CD

    Angelgitlolifon June 23, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Amazing song.

    simply__meon June 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is the bomb. As only a Yellowcard or Aerosmith song could be. Dear Bobbie is just as awesome, though. I love both.

    Just so y'all know: View From Heaven is the best song in history.

    xox

    JennJennHon July 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Heard it's a song about Shad, Ryan's drummer friend who died, the same guy on whom View from Heaven was written about.

    guitarista_727on July 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This one is definitely not about Ben. That would be Five Becomes Four.

    nstodon July 11, 2007   Link

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