Story Behind The Song

been there, done that

Song Description

man in bar watches a drunk with serious problems, and visualizes his own past; thinks how lucky he is to have conquered his own problems, and to have a happy family and life.

Lyrics

NOT FOR ANYTHING

HE WAS FALLIN' DOWN DRUNK IN THE AFTERNOON;
AN' I WATCHED HIM FALL RIGHT OFF HIS STOOL;
AN' I SAID TO MYSELF.... "BEEN THERE, DONE THAT";
BUT HE GOT BACK UP AN' HE BLINKED HIS EYES;
SAID, "SHE RAN OFF WITH ANOTHER GUY";
AN' I SAID TO MYSELF.... "I CAN RELATE TO THAT";

(CHORUS):
THEN I GO HOME TO A LOVIN' WIFE;
TWO GREAT KIDS AN' A HAPPY LIFE;
AN' I SAY TO MYSELF.... "YA' FINALLY MADE IT;
GIVE THANKS, CUZ' YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING;
A MORTGAGE AN' A WEDDING RING;
AN' YA' KNOW DAMN WELL YA' WOULDN'T TRADE IT..... FOR ANYTHING;
NOT FOR ANYTHING".

I LOOK BACK ON THIS LIFE OF MINE,
AN' PICTURES FLASH ACROSS MY MIND;
OF A PAST..... THAT I'M NOT PROUD OF;
THEN I THINK ABOUT MY WOMAN'S LOVE,
AN' I TELL MYSELF, "DON'T SCREW IT UP;
NOW YOUR EYES ARE CLEAR....WHERE THEY ONCE WERE CLOUDED.

(CHORUS): CUZ' I'M IN LOVE WITH A LOVIN' WIFE.......

WHEN YOU'VE FOUND THE BOTTOM OF AN ENDLESS PIT;
AN' YER' THINKIN' MAYBE THIS IS IT;
BUT YA' FIND A WAY TO CRAWL BACK UP.... TO EVEN;
YOU GIVE YOURSELF A SECOND CHANCE;
NO LONGER CHAINED TO CIRCUMSTANCE;
AN' YA' GOT A CHOICE OF DYIN' YOUNG....OR LEAVIN' ";

(CHORUS):
NOW I GO HOME TO A LOVIN' WIFE;
TWO GREAT KIDS AN' A HAPPY LIFE;
AN' I SAY TO MYSELF..."MAN, YA' MADE IT;
GIVE THANKS, CUZ' YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING;
A MORTGAGE AN' A WEDDING RING;
AN' I SAY IT RIGHT OUT LOUD, " I WOULDN'T TRADE IT.... FOR ANYTHING;
NOT FOR ANYTHING; FOR ANYTHING; NOT FOR ANYTHING".