Career Choice

When I was a kid I was best at whatever I did When I was a kid I was smart, at the top of the class When I was a lad I was sure I had the world in my hands I was my own teacher I had my own plan I could have been an athlete could have trained all the time Been just like the others could have left them behind But I was too lazy I could not see ahead All I thought of was music that was filling my head I could have been a painter painting life in a rush All I saw in a day on canvas with my brush But I was just painting my life in a song Getting all the chords right getting all the words wrong I could have been a writer with a back catalogue Full of stories of crimes, sex and beer, girls and drugs But instead I was writing my first song so bad On the cheapest guitar that the music store had 'Cos instead I strummed on guitars Instead I wasted my time And I strummed on guitars I could have been a lawyer defending some guy With a paycheck so big for my heart paid to lie But instead I was keeping the truth to myself In the records I placed one by one on my shelf I could have been a champion, man of the year Wave to the crowd as they scream and cheer But here I am playing to people sat down Nursing their beers while I play the clown And instead I strummed on guitars Instead I wasted my time And I strummed on guitars I could have been a racing car driver speed mad Seeking the thrills that my youth never had But instead I was busy enjoying my age With teen punk rock anthems and hearts paid to rage I could have been a scientist, doctor or man With a stethoscope diagnosing ladies' old hands But instead I built fret-callous fingertip scars On my ten year old hands meant for toy ships and cars And instead I strummed on guitars Instead I wasted my time Strummed on guitars I could have been so much But I wasted my time on useless guitars I could have been so much But I'm not And I'm glad And I'm glad 'Cos when I was a kid I was best at whatever I did