Philippa Hanna - Always on My Mind Lyrics
Lyrics
Verse 1
Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
Little things I should've said in time
I just never took the time
Chorus
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Verse 2
Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
If I made you feel second best
Then I'm so sorry I was blind
Chorus
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Bridge
Tell me
Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me
Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied
To keep you satisfied
Instrumental
Chorus 2
If I made you feel second best
Then I'm so sorry I was blind
'Cause You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind
Video
Always on My Mind
Meaning & Inspiration
Philippa Hanna’s "Always on My Mind," released on November 24, 2017, as part of her album *Come Back Fighting*, offers a profoundly moving reflection that transcends a mere recounting of human relationships. While its surface narrative speaks of regret over past oversights in a personal connection, the true depth and power of this composition, especially within Hanna’s Christian artistic journey, emerges when viewed through the lens of a believer's walk with God. It becomes a poignant spiritual introspection, an honest confession of human failing and divine constancy.
The song delves into a common human experience: the moments of realizing one hasn't given enough attention, love, or appreciation to someone precious. The opening verse, with lines like not treating or loving "quite as good as I should have" or "as often as I could have," articulates a sense of missed opportunities and unspoken affirmations. This resonates deeply with the Christian journey, where believers often acknowledge periods of spiritual lukewarmness, neglect in prayer, or a failure to consistently live out their faith. We are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5), yet our daily lives are often filled with distractions that pull our focus away from this primary devotion. The quiet acknowledgment of "little things I should've said in time, I just never took the time" acts as a humble confession, mirroring the moments we fail to acknowledge God’s blessings, offer thanks, or seek His wisdom in the rush of life.
The repeated chorus, "You were always on my mind," stands as the song's anchor and its most profound spiritual statement. If the preceding verses are the believer's confession of drifting, this chorus is God’s unwavering truth. Despite our neglect, our forgetfulness, and our sometimes-failing faith, God's thoughts towards us are consistently present, full of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). This line isn't merely the singer's retrospective realization; it's an affirmation of God's enduring faithfulness and omnipresence, a divine reassurance that even when we lose sight of Him, we are never out of His sight or His loving contemplation. Psalm 139 beautifully illustrates this: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" He is intimately aware of our every step, our every thought.
The second verse continues this theme of relational oversight, admitting to not being present during "lonely, lonely times" and neglecting to express how "happy that you're mine." Spiritually, this can be interpreted as moments when we've felt alone, forgetting that God promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We often fail to actively tell God, through worship and gratitude, how much His presence means to us, how joyous it is to be called His child. The poignant admission, "If I made you feel second best, then I'm so sorry I was blind," cuts to the core of our spiritual failings. When we prioritize worldly desires, fleeting pleasures, or even good but not ultimate things over our relationship with the Creator, we inadvertently make God feel "second best." This blindness is often a spiritual one, a temporary loss of perspective on what truly matters, a forgetting of the first and greatest commandment.
The bridge serves as a desperate plea for reconciliation and a renewed commitment: "Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died, give me one more chance to keep you satisfied." This reflects the cry of a repentant heart turning back to God, seeking reassurance of His undying love and asking for grace to walk in closer communion. God's love, unlike human love, does not die; it is eternal and unwavering (1 John 4:8, Romans 8:38-39). This plea is met by His abundant mercy and forgiveness, as 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The desire "to keep you satisfied" shifts the focus from selfish gratification to a longing to please the divine, to live a life that honors Him.
The return to the chorus, with the added prefix "If I made you feel second best, then I'm so sorry I was blind, 'Cause You were always on my mind," solidifies the song's spiritual message. It transforms the regret into an epiphany: despite our flaws and temporary blindness, God’s steadfast love never wavered. His thoughts of us were constant, His care unwavering. This realization brings both conviction and immense comfort. It encourages introspection and sincere repentance, reminding us of the privilege and joy of being in a relationship with a God who relentlessly pursues us, always holds us in His mind, and consistently offers chances for renewed closeness. "Always on My Mind" ultimately serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to examine their spiritual walk, to appreciate the boundless faithfulness of God, and to respond to His constant love with intentional devotion and gratitude, confident that His grace always extends an invitation for us to draw near.