Meaning of "All This I Should Have Known" by Breathe

"All This I Should Have Known" reflects the universal theme of hindsight and regret in a failed relationship. The lyrics capture the emotions and thoughts of someone who is looking back on a past love and realizing the mistakes they made. The repeated phrase "If only" reveals the narrator's desire for things to have turned out differently. Their regret is evident in lines like "So much promise we denied" and "All this I should have known." These lyrics suggest that they are aware of the missed opportunities and the potential they had to salvage the relationship. The narrator's admission of not letting go of pride and harboring doubts and fears shows self-awareness and accountability for their own role in the relationship's demise.

The mention of holding each other one more time and dancing together implies a longing for intimacy and connection that has been lost. However, the line "Our love has gone" indicates that the love between the two people has faded away. The inability to communicate effectively is also highlighted with the line "We tried to talk to no avail." This implies that despite attempts to address issues, it was ultimately futile. The phrase "Something keeping us apart" suggests that there were underlying obstacles or unresolved issues that prevented the relationship from flourishing.

The lyrics tap into the common experience of realizing too late what could have been done differently to save a relationship. It examines the consequences of personal flaws such as pride and fear, highlighting the importance of open communication and vulnerability in maintaining a healthy connection. The song serves as a reminder for listeners to reflect on their own actions in relationships and learn from past mistakes.