In Joss Stone's song "Could Have Been You," the lyrics portray a story of a broken relationship. The protagonist reflects on how things used to be good between them, but now wonders what changed and why they were left outside and feeling abandoned. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist has decided to move on from the pain and heartbreak. They want to change their path and not go back to the past. They believe they are better off without the relationship and refuse to sit on the shelf, waiting for unfulfilled promises. Instead, they express their intention to give their love to someone else who will treat them right. Throughout the song, the protagonist hints that if their former partner sees them with someone new, they should regret their actions. The lyrics imply that the protagonist could have been with the person if they had been treated properly. They emphasize that the former partner's neglect and mistreatment resulted in losing the opportunity. The repetition of the phrase "It could have been you" reinforces this point. The lyrics also express a sense of sadness and disappointment in what might have been. The protagonist believes that the memories they shared were valuable, but now all that remains is the regret of what could have been. Overall, the song conveys a message of empowerment and moving forward after a failed relationship. It explores the emotions of longing, regret, and the realization that the other person had the chance to be a significant part of their life, but they let it slip away.
