Been You

Justin Bieber's song "Been You" is a poignant reflection on missed opportunities and the lingering regret that accompanies lost love. The lyrics express a deep sense of nostalgia and the pain of realizing too late that a past relationship could have been something more. Bieber uses oceanic imagery to convey the depth of his feelings, suggesting a love as vast and profound as the sea, yet now as distant as the horizon.

The chorus of the song is a lamentation of what might have been, with Bieber wishing he had known that the person he's singing about could have been the right one for him. The repetition of 'if I would’ve known' underscores the torment of hindsight, a common human experience where one looks back and sees clearly what was once obscured. The desire to 'make us brand new' speaks to the universal longing to turn back time and fix the mistakes that led to the current heartache.

The song also touches on the theme of blame and self-reflection. Bieber questions who was responsible for the pain in the relationship, suggesting a struggle to understand the breakdown of the connection. The mention of wanting to wash away a 'permanent stain' indicates a wish to erase the past and the hurt that came with it. The emotional weight of the song is carried by the artist's vocal delivery, which conveys a sense of genuine remorse and yearning for resolution.