It Should Have Been Me

The Outfield's song 'It Should Have Been Me' is a poignant exploration of heartbreak, regret, and the longing for a second chance. The lyrics convey the deep emotional turmoil of someone who realizes too late that they have lost the love of their life. The opening lines, 'I'm broken inside / It's too late you're gone,' set the tone for the song, highlighting the protagonist's inner pain and the finality of the situation. The repeated refrain, 'It should have been me,' underscores the regret and self-recrimination that permeate the song.

The song delves into the theme of missed opportunities and the pain of seeing a loved one move on with someone else. The lines 'Oh, you were out there looking for love / It should have been me' reflect the protagonist's realization that they failed to recognize the love that was right in front of them. This sense of missed opportunity is further emphasized by the lines 'I didn't think I was making mistake / Too blind to see,' which suggest that the protagonist was unaware of their mistakes until it was too late.

In addition to regret, the song also touches on the theme of unfulfilled love and the desire for redemption. The plea 'All I'm asking is just one more chance / Can't you see?' reveals the protagonist's hope for reconciliation and a chance to make things right. The imagery of being 'unchained' from the emotional bondage of lost love adds a layer of desperation and yearning for freedom from the pain. Overall, 'It Should Have Been Me' is a heartfelt expression of the anguish that comes with lost love and the longing for what could have been.