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