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