"If It Was Up To Me" is a song by Hayes Carll about the things he wishes could be different in life if he had the power to change them. He fantasizes about a world where everything goes smoothly, where he has more money, where everyone likes him, and where he can live by the sea. However, he knows that life is not that simple and that some things are beyond our control. The lyrics touch on common desires such as wealth, fame, ease, and the freedom to do what we want. But the song also acknowledges the limitations and imperfections of life, and how we have to deal with them. The narrator is aware that he has made mistakes and wishes he could be forgiven for them, but he also understands that he has to learn from them and move on. Overall, "If It Was Up To Me" is a bittersweet reflection on the things we wish we could change in our lives, but also a reminder that we have to accept what we cannot change and find a way to cope with them.
