If Only

Stray Gods' song 'If Only' delves deep into the emotional turmoil of missed opportunities and the regret that follows. The lyrics, shared between Freddie and Grace, paint a poignant picture of a relationship that could have been so much more if only the right actions had been taken at the right time. Freddie's opening lines, 'Now every word's been said / I can't think of anymore to fix what's broken,' set the tone for a narrative filled with sorrow and reflection. The repeated phrase 'if only' underscores the theme of regret, highlighting the moments that could have changed everything if only they had been brave enough to act differently.

Freddie's anguish is palpable as he laments, 'What you don't get is death! I died!' This line suggests a profound transformation or loss, indicating that the people they once were no longer exist. This metaphorical death signifies the end of their former selves and the relationship they once had. Grace's response, 'You're overthinking it / We could be everything we wanted to be,' contrasts Freddie's despair with a sense of hope and possibility, yet it also underscores the disconnect between them. The tension between their perspectives adds depth to the song, illustrating the complexity of their emotions and the difficulty of reconciling their past with their present.

The chorus, 'Only, if only, if we / Could have been brave, on time / Knowing now, knowing how we / Should have been loving all this time,' encapsulates the essence of the song. It speaks to the universal human experience of looking back with the clarity of hindsight and recognizing the moments where courage and love could have made all the difference. The final lines, 'But is it too late? / Too late?' leave the listener with a lingering sense of uncertainty and the haunting question of whether it's ever truly too late to make things right.