[Verse 1]
At school, he couldn't do the work, the kids all called him retarded
He got a job in a warehouse where he packed and cut carpet
And he never moved up, and he never fell in love
He's 50, but really 12, thinkin' 'bout giving up
She married young and always felt like she'd got in too deep
Started feelin' like her only way out was to cheat
Her friends all villainized, they didn't see she was weak
It's been 20 years, and it still breaks hеr heart that they don't speak
Hе was a rockstar in small bars
Until the gigs weren't paying bills, he had his daughter in the car
And he knew he had to make the choice to put down his guitar
And every day he wonders if he could've been a star
[Chorus]
I know you did your best (Did your best)
There was a lot to lose, don't have shit to prove to me
I know you have nothing left (Nothing left)
But there's more to you than the wars you lose, you'll see
[Verse 2]
Diagnosed with Parkinson's, it's something she lives with
Was strong and independent, now relies on her children
Her voice shakes when she speaks, she's embarrassed, she hates to talk
And every day she wakes up wonderin' if new parts of her are lost
He got her pregnant before he could finish school
He got busy, acting dumb 'cause he didn't know what to do
He ignored he had a girl 'til her mother stopped calling too
On his deathbed, he wished for the daughter he never knew
She loved her family, two girls and two boys
Husband in the garage, she yelled she's sick of the noise
And then one day he's out riding and he dies in a crash
Now she'd do anything to have the buzz of his saw (Come back!)
[Chorus]
I know you did your best (Did your best)
There was a lot to lose, don't have shit to prove to me
I know you have nothing left (Nothing left)
But there's more to you than the wars you lose, you'll see
[Bridge]
Everybody make mistakes
Everybody crash along the way
I might be goin' up in flames, but
Everybody feel the same
Everybody make mistakes
Everybody crash along the way
I might be going up in flames, but
Everybody feel the same
[Chorus]
I know you did your best (Did your best)
There was a lot to lose, don't have shit to prove to me
I know you have nothing left (Nothing left)
But there's more to you than the wars you lose, you'll see
Did Your Best was produced by Tom MacDonald.
Nova Rockafeller released Did Your Best on Fri Jan 22 2021.