What Was Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Young, standing on the edge of twenty-one
Staring at the man that I've become sometimes
When I lose my control
He's dumb, if you blink, he'll blow up like a gun
Jumping to conclusions just for fun
That guy, needs somebody to hold

[Pre-Chorus]
Needs somebody he knows
Where the hell did she go?
It kinda makes me feel like

[Chorus]
I wish I could change my name
I wish I could start again
Fly me to a lonely place
Where you'll never see my face, so you'll never feel the pain of
What was
When you're standing in thе rain, calling out my name
Nothing's gonna change
What was

[Verse 2]
Cold, driving through my neighborhood alonе
Going past the house, but I'm not home this time
I haven't been in a while
I haven't been
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I'm far away
In another state miles away from us
As you try to fan a dying flame
While ashes turn to dust

[Chorus]
I wish I could change my name
I wish I could start again
Fly me to a lonely place
Where you'll never see my face, so you'll never feel the pain of
What was
When you're standing in the rain, calling out my name
Nothing's gonna change
What was

[Bridge]
Let me, start over
The moment that I left you in tears
Is a memory that will haunt me for years, and years, and years, and years, and years (Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh, oh)
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh, oh, oh) Oh, it still does
(Oh, oh, oh, oh) Oh, it still does
What was

[Outro]
You need somebody to hold
Where the hell did I go?

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About

Genius Annotation

Benson Boone describes what it’s like losing someone and wishing to start over.

Boone shared in an April 2023 TikTok, the journey leading up to the song after parting ways with a significant other. He stated in another TikTok that this is the most meaningful song he’s ever written.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Benson Boone say about "What Was"?
Genius Answer

This song is a reflection of a past relationship that I wish I could re-do. It’s a hard realization when you missed ‘your person,’ and all you can do is relive the memories in your head.

—via 360 MAGAZINE

Credits
Producer
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Bass Guitar
Mastering Engineer
Synthesizer
Programmer
Mixing Engineer
Engineer
Background Vocals
Recorded At
Noise Coalition
Release Date
April 14, 2023
Songs That Interpolate What Was
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