When I was a kid, I was best at whatever I didWhen 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 catalog 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