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

Track duration: 03:59

"Shadows and Regrets" as written by William Ryan Key, Peter Michael Mosely, Longineu Warren Iii Parsons, Sean Michael Wellman-mackin, Ryan Michael Mendez

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Shadows and Regrets song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +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.
    Flag SoWrongItsElleon July 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm quite confused as to the meaning when i listen to it. I think it's this:

    In the beginning, Ryan has a moment alone in his hometown (Jacksonville, I believe), and is thinking about his friend who died, the one who "View From Heaven" is about. He sort of "talks" to him updating him about what's new in Jacksonville "I'm back, back in town, and everything ahs changed. I feel, feel let down. The faces stay the same.", then begins to remember the times he shared with him (the chorus). All in all, he is getting at the idea that his friend may have been either dissapointed or ashamed of what Jacksonville has become, had he been around to see it.

    The rest of the song are compilations of memories of his friend, and regrets he has of things he may have said/done that he never fized or took back before his friend passed away. The ensuing choruses are childhood memories and talks they had about thier future.

    Basically, it's about remembering those who made impacts on your life who have passed away and yearning for a life shared with them again.
    Flag kch15on June 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:my favorite song off of paper walls
    Flag rockonufa02on December 05, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Umm..Hockey dude...

    I've been listening to Yelloward way before the Ocean Avenue album. I know the history with the band. Though this song may be about Ryan's dead friend, this website is also an outlet for other people to interpret songs to meanings that fit them.

    I happen to find another meaning in this song that relates to me. Haven't you ever heard of the phrase "a picture is worth a 1000 words"...that logic can also apply to song lyrics.

    Take a chill pill and get a life. Stop trying to memorize everyone elses life.
    Flag blushbugon May 16, 2008   Link
  • -3
    General Comment:i hate u all none of u know anything about yellowcard
    Flag dhockey2on April 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:u are all retards
    the idiot who put up more lyrics UR WRONG!!!
    this song is about ryans friend who was killed in a car accident when they were kids
    thats the same person they sing about in view from heaven
    and the retard saying 5 becomes 4 is about ben UR ALSO WRONG!!!
    that is about ryan possibly leaving the band
    u know theres five after he leaves there will be four
    this is most likely ryans last album with the group
    Flag dhockey2on April 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know I already commented on this song, but after listening to this song more, I have come with another meaning.

    This song could be about losing your best childhood friend. Maybe you and your best friend had a huge fallout right before you left town for college or something. So you basically ended your life-long friendship on bad terms and left. Then you come back to town to find out that your former best friend is dead. You are in shock. All you can do is regret the falling out between you two and remember the past. Try to re-live all the memories and remember all the stories. Everything is the same, except that your friend is dead. Everything in the town reminds you of your friend and all the good times you had before the fight. You'll never be able to make peace and never get to see them again.

    Ok....I'm done = )
    Flag blushbugon February 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:To me, this song is about when you leave your hometown. You leave and grow as a person, but when you come back, everyone else remained the same. Your old friends really haven’t done squat with their lives. All those memories that you had with those people will only be memories. You and your friends as kids had big dreams together, yet you were the only one that followed them. You miss the old times, but you basically outgrew your hometown and the people there. Maybe you regret ever leaving cause the only thing you will ever have from that place is the memories…memories that were so good, you wish you could go back but you know you can’t. The only thing for you to do is leave and remember the good times.
    Flag blushbugon January 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is definitely about growing up.
    I recently went away for college and every time i get back i notice friends have started developing a life with out.
    Its not like they have completely eliminated our friendship, but its not the same.

    "everything has changed,
    the faces stay the same"

    the people themselves are the same apperance wise, but its different now.
    i feel like i can relate to every single lyric.
    Flag SwazWazon January 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:My favortie song on the new CD along with Afraid. This song reminds me so much of my really good friend which I have gown up with and such. Great meaning. Kudos to Yellowcard for yet another amazing album.
    Flag intoxaxtrance48on November 20, 2007   Link

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