Music Review: Tiffany "Could've Been"
Tiffany
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Could’ve Been
Album: Tiffany
Year: 1987
Tiffany reflects on the loss of her first serious relationship in the wistful ballad “Could’ve Been.”
A woeful piano opens the single, setting a lamentable tone. In the first verse, she watches another red rose petal fall onto the table. Their relationship had such promise. It hurts her to speculate on the future with him. When they would kiss, he would tell she was the prettiest woman and that she was perfect for him. She realizes it was just words to him, nothing of importance. For her, the relationship was still growing and they had much more to learn about the other.
In the chorus, she says their romance had the possibility of being something wonderful and lasting. They were compatible and had chemistry. The memories cannot sate her, only disappoint her.
In the second verse, she remembers their favorite spot on the beach and how he would enclose her in his arms. The conversations they had over their doubts and fear echo in her mind.
In the bridge, she says it’s the third relationship she’s had this year that’s ended quickly and without much explanation. But she reasons that at least she got the chance to love him and be in his life for a short while. Not knowing him would’ve been a mistake.
In the second chorus, she says she can’t hang onto the past forever.
The woeful piano returns for the final section. In it, she says things would’ve turned out the way she wanted it to.
She believed she had found her high school sweetheart in him. However, he was looking for fun, not love. She really fell for him and let herself dream of a future with him. But he turned out to be worse than others. At least she could see through her two exes – they abandon her for their friends without a second thought or check out other girls in front of her. However, he was a polite, nice guy or he seemed to be.
Tiffany’s crestfallen vocals reach for a solution to end the pain. She knows it’s best to forget and be glad she’s rid of him. But she’s still in love with him. If he asked her out tomorrow, she wouldn’t be able to refuse, despite the hurt he caused her.
The compassionate arrangement soothes and heeds, allowing enough space to grieve.
The memorable “Could’ve Been” is one of the top break-up songs.
Album: Tiffany
Year: 1987
Tiffany reflects on the loss of her first serious relationship in the wistful ballad “Could’ve Been.”
A woeful piano opens the single, setting a lamentable tone. In the first verse, she watches another red rose petal fall onto the table. Their relationship had such promise. It hurts her to speculate on the future with him. When they would kiss, he would tell she was the prettiest woman and that she was perfect for him. She realizes it was just words to him, nothing of importance. For her, the relationship was still growing and they had much more to learn about the other.
“The flowers you gave me/Are just about to die/When I think about/What could've been/It makes me want to cry/The sweet words you whispered/Didn't mean a thing/I guess our song is over/As we began to sing.”
In the chorus, she says their romance had the possibility of being something wonderful and lasting. They were compatible and had chemistry. The memories cannot sate her, only disappoint her.
“Could've been so beautiful/
Could've been so right/Could've been my lover/Every day of my life/Could've been so beautiful/Could've been so right/I'll never hold what could've been/On a cold and lonely night.”
In the second verse, she remembers their favorite spot on the beach and how he would enclose her in his arms. The conversations they had over their doubts and fear echo in her mind.
“The memories of our lovin'/Still linger in the air/Like the fainted scent of your roses/They stay with me everywhere.”
In the bridge, she says it’s the third relationship she’s had this year that’s ended quickly and without much explanation. But she reasons that at least she got the chance to love him and be in his life for a short while. Not knowing him would’ve been a mistake.
“Every time I get my hopes up/They always seem to fall/Still what could've been/Is better than/What could never be at all/At all.”
In the second chorus, she says she can’t hang onto the past forever.
“Could've been so beautiful…You can't hold what could've been/On a cold and lonely night/Could've been so beautiful/Could've been so right/You can't hold what could've been/On a cold and lonely night/No, not at all.”
The woeful piano returns for the final section. In it, she says things would’ve turned out the way she wanted it to.
“How could I hold what could've been/On a cold and lonely night?”
She believed she had found her high school sweetheart in him. However, he was looking for fun, not love. She really fell for him and let herself dream of a future with him. But he turned out to be worse than others. At least she could see through her two exes – they abandon her for their friends without a second thought or check out other girls in front of her. However, he was a polite, nice guy or he seemed to be.
Tiffany’s crestfallen vocals reach for a solution to end the pain. She knows it’s best to forget and be glad she’s rid of him. But she’s still in love with him. If he asked her out tomorrow, she wouldn’t be able to refuse, despite the hurt he caused her.
The compassionate arrangement soothes and heeds, allowing enough space to grieve.
The memorable “Could’ve Been” is one of the top break-up songs.