What Is Not But Could Be If

Song Meaning

The lyrics grapple with the persistent allure of unrealized potential and the anxieties that accompany it. The repeated phrase "What is not but could be if" acts as a mantra for hypothetical scenarios, tinged with the "associated risk" of their very possibility. This isn't just idle daydreaming; the narrator admits, "What was not but could have been / Was my obsession way back when," suggesting a past consumed by what might have been, a state now replaced by a more present, albeit still uncertain, "this." The central tension lies in navigating the gap between potential and reality, especially when faced with failure. The "abridged abyss" suggests a perilous but perhaps surmountable chasm between the current state and a desired "beginning." This transition is framed by the stark image of "failure's got you in its grasp / And you're reaching for your very last," a moment where the brink of defeat paradoxically becomes the impetus for a new start. The lyrics propose that even at one's lowest point, the act of reaching is itself "just beginning." A striking element is the assertion that "the truth is struggling to be said." This suggests a deeper, perhaps unspoken, reality that is difficult to articulate or confront, potentially linked to "family shadows." The narrator questions how to escape these entanglements, positing that the answer lies within the very realm of "what is not but could be if." This implies that confronting and embracing the hypothetical, the unmanifested, is the key to moving forward, even with inherent risks. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their raw, introspective portrayal of regret and hope. By focusing on the liminal space between what exists and what could exist, the song captures a universal human experience of longing and the fear of missed opportunities. The cyclical nature of the chorus and the persistent question of "what if" create a compelling emotional landscape that resonates with anyone who has ever felt stuck between past regrets and future possibilities.