Letter to Me

If I could write a letter to me

And send it back in time to myself at seventeen

First, I'd prove it's me by sayin' look under your bed

There's a Skoal can and a Playboy no one else would know you hid

And then I'd say I know it's tough

When you break up after seven months

And yeah, I know you really liked her and it just don't seem fair

But all I can say is pain like that is fast and it's rare

And, oh, you got so much goin' for you, goin' right

But I know at seventeen it's hard to see past Friday night

She wasn't right for you and still you feel like there's a knife

Stickin' out of your back and you're wonderin' if you'll survive

But you'll make it through this and you'll see

You're still around to write this letter to me

At the stop sign at Tomlinson and Eighth

Always stop completely, well, don't just tap your brakes

And when you get a date with Bridgett, make sure the tank is full

On second thought, forget it, that one turns out kinda cool

Each and every time you have a fight

Just assume you're wrong and Dad is right

And you should really thank Ms. Brinkman, she spends so much extra time

It's like she sees the diamond underneath and she's polishin' you till you shine

And, oh, you got so much goin' for you, goin' right

But I know at seventeen it's hard to see past Friday night

Tonight's the bonfire rally, but you're stayin' home instead

Because if you fail Algebra, Mom and Dad'll kill you dead

But trust me, you'll squeak by and get a C

And you're still around to write this letter to me

Well, you got so much up ahead and you'll make new friends

You should see your kids and wife

And I'd end by sayin' have no fear

These are nowhere near the best years of your life

I guess I'll see you in the mirror when you're a grown man

P.S., go hug Aunt Rita every chance you can

And, oh, you got so much goin' for you, goin' right

But I know at seventeen it's hard to see past Friday night

I wish you'd study Spanish, I wish you'd take a typin' class

I wish you wouldn't worry, let it be

Hey, I'd say have a little faith and you'll see

If I could write a letter to me

To me