Regret (song)

## **Regret**

"**Regret**" is the lead single and opening track off of Sean Kennedy's third studio album. The track follows Sean encountering someone from his past, and revisiting moments from their relationship. The song was officially released on March 12, 2021 alongside its music video. Sean stated that it was chosen as the opening track partially because of the opening line, "Funny seeing you here". The line aludes to the fact that Kennedy planned to go on a hiatus following his sophomore album, but changed his plans because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Background and Release

Kennedy started writing "Regret" in October 2019 towards the end of writing sessions for his second album, *The One*. Sean didn't think the song fit the record, so it was stored away for a future album. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one of the first songs to be revisited and recorded.

On January 9, 2021, Sean posted a photo on his social medias of Shaul Dover's recording studio, with the caption "funny seeing you here" (the opening lyric to the single). It was speculated that Kennedy was working with Dover again, but the album credits reveal the final version of the song was recorded in Sean's home studio.

On February 12, 2021 an activity called "What Do You Regret?" ran on Kennedy's website. Fans could enter their name and receive a note. The note included additional lyrics to "Regret". Three days later, the Instagram account @SeanKennedyOfficial began posting segments of the single's artwork.

"Regret" was officially announced on February 19, 2021. Kennedy shared a teaser for the song, featuring short clips from the music video, overlayed with a voiceover. Sean asks the viewer:

> If you had the opportunity to go back and change something...would you? Is there something you wish you could tell youself? About something you regret?
>
>

The song was officially released on March 12, 2021, alongside a music video directed by Sean and friend Brooke Williams. Kennedy performed the song live for the first time during his *What's Left Unsaid: Live* concert.

## Promotion

"Regret" was promoted alongside its music video, co-directed by Sean and friend Brooke Williams. On the day of the song's release, Kennedy and Williams delivered PR packages consisting of the song, merchandise and promotional material. A week later, the song was sent out to domestic radio stations. CD singles were sold on Kennedy's website. On May 15, 2021, Kennedy was WHUD's "Hudson Valley Artist Spotlight". Sean went on air to discuss the song and his then upcoming album, and "Regret" made its radio debut.

> "Regret" is about just kind of running into someone from your past, and seeing them kind of brings back all of these memories of your relationship with that person.
>
>

## Composition

Musically, "Regret" is a mid-tempo synth-pop song. It is composed in the key of E Major, and it's in common time with a tempo of 95 beats per minute. The song features synthesizers, strings, drums and percussion.

## Music Video

 **Location** | New York, US

 **Location** | New York, US

The music video for "Regret" was co-directed by Kennedy and Brooke Williams. It premiered on March 12th (the same day as the song's release) at 3 pm on Sean's official YouTube Channel. Sean's three brothers helped out on set, and friend Chloe Imhof played his love interest.

Thematically, the music video is an embodiment of the song's story, as Kennedy wakes up to see his memories come to life. He goes about his day, watching a past relationship fall apart. The video references both of Kennedy's past album covers and the then unknown title of Sean's third record. It was shot at the same location as the *Crazy* album photoshoot.

## Cross-References

* The lyric "Funny seeing you here/How have you been?" bears close resemblance to "Long time no see/How have you been?" from "Had My Chance".
* Rain is also mentioned in "Just Leave".

## Official Versions

* Album Version - 3:42
* Music Video Version - 3:49

## Lyrics

Funny seeing you here

How have you been?

Life’s been pretty crazy

How ‘bout you?

I’m sorry for not calling

In a while

I guess we’re not who we were

‘Cause you told me that you didn’t want to stay

And I knew that I couldn’t have my way

Your face brings back so much

All the times we laughed and cried

And talked all night

But I promise that I’ll never forget

Everything that I said I’d regret

I don’t wanna think about

How we left

Crying in the rain

Alone and sad

I’m sorry for not calling

In a while

I’ve just been hurt pretty bad

And when you told me that you didn’t want to stay

I knew that I had to break away

Your face brings back so much

All the times we laughed and cried

And talked all night

But I promise that I’ll never forget

Everything that I said I’d regret

‘Cause people come

And then they go

I’ve made mistakes

I hope you know

But I promise that I’ll never forget

Everything that I said I‘d regret

When we were dancing in the moonlight

Having the time of our lives

It’s all gone

But seeing you makes me believe that

I was so wrong

Your face brings back so much

All the times we laughed and cried

And talked all night

But I promise that I’ll never forget

Everything that I said I’d regret

‘Cause people come

And then they go

I’ve made mistakes

I hope you know

But I promise that I’ll never forget

Everything that I said I‘d regret

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 WHUD Hudson Valley Artist Spotlight: Sean Kennedy.
2. ↑ Sean's "WLU" Story Highlight.
3. ↑ Interview with Sean Kennedy.
4. ↑ Sean’s Teaser on Twitter (January 9, 2021).
5. ↑ Sean’s Activity (February 12, 2021).
6. ↑ Regret Cover Reveal (February 15, 2021).
7. ↑ Sean Kennedy - Regret (Teaser).
8. ↑ Saturday in the Parks: What's Left Unsaid.
9. ↑ Sean on Twitter: TOMORROW.