Meaning of "No Regrets" by Robbie Williams

The meaning behind the lyrics of "No Regrets" revolves around the aftermath of a failed relationship and the emotions that come with it. The narrator begins by asking for a story where they and their partner could have changed and lived their lives together without growing distant. They express that it was their own choice to give away their mind and that their partner didn't have the time or inclination to stay and witness their pain, causing them to slip away gently.

The chorus emphasizes the idea that regrets are useless and only bring hurt. The narrator acknowledges that from an outsider's perspective, they seemed well-suited as a couple, but things started going downhill when their partner didn't like their mother. Despite not wanting to harbor hate, that's all that remains after the relationship ended - a bitter aftertaste and a fantasy of what could have been. The narrator relates the demons in their partner's head, constantly talking and making them far too short-tempered to handle the relationship. They express a desire to stop hating their ex-partner and feel sorry for themselves instead.

The lyrics also touch on the memories and moments of joy shared between the narrator and their former partner. They mention crazy photographs where they all laughed, reminiscing about the time they were having the time of their lives. The narrator expresses gratitude for those memories but reinforces that regrets only bring pain.

The last stanza reveals the deep emotions that the narrator experienced during the relationship. They confess that every time they wanted to leave, their partner told them to go, but they only wanted to stay. The narrator felt empty and treated like a child despite their love for each other. They remember the way they used to laugh and smile together and how they sometimes think of their ex-partner but ultimately move on.

Overall, the lyrics of "No Regrets" explore the aftermath of a failed relationship, the bitterness and disappointment that lingers, and the acceptance that holding onto regrets only inflicts more pain.