When I Was... is the eighth song from A Very Potter Senior Year. It was written by Clark Baxtresser and Pierce Siebers and performed by Joe Walker as Tom Riddle and Darren Criss as Harry Potter. It is the seventh track on the cast album.
Lyrics[]
Harry:
There was a time when life had meaning
Not so long ago
I knew the lines, it was easy being
The star of the show
There was a time when things were fine
I could make wine from water
There was a time when I was happy
When I was Harry Potter
Riddle:
There was a time when I was hopeful
When I was good inside
Everyone said that I was evil
Maybe they were right
I changed my name, I went insane
I never felt so little
I was a fool to think they could love me
When I was Thomas Riddle
Both:
I've fallen from up high
The world has said goodbye
I'm not an angel, not the answer
I'm just going nowhere faster
Harry:
There was a time I was a hero
But that hero's gone
Looking back, I can hardly see him
Everyone's moved on
Both:
Cast me aside, throw me away
Go on, forget yesterday
And I'll try forgetting too
Riddle:
But I wish it was just like it was before
Both:
I wish it was just like it was before
Harry:
I've fallen from up high
The world has said goodbye
I'm not an angel, not the answer
How did life become a disaster?
I'm just going nowhere faster
There was a time before, I was adored
By every son and daughter
There was a time when I was happy
When I was Harry Potter
Alternate Lyrics[]
The song was initially conceptualized as a solo song for Harry. This version was performed at It's StarKid, Innit?:
There was a time when life had meaning
Not so long ago
I knew the lines, it was easy being
The star of the show
There was a time when things were fine
I could make wine from water
There was a time when I was happy
When I was Harry Potter
I spent my time defeating evil
Doing what was right
And all my friends they were always with me
Fighting alongside
I had my fame
They knew my name
And Voldemort I slaughtered
I always thought it would last forever
When I was Harry Potter
I've fallen from up high
The world has said goodbye
I'm not an angel, not the answer
I'm just going nowhere faster
There was a time I was a hero
But that hero's gone
Looking back, I can hardly see him
Everyone's moved on
Cast me aside, throw me away
Go on, forget yesterday
And I'll try forgetting too
I wish it was just like it was before
I wish it was just like it was before
I've fallen from up high
The world has said goodbye
I'm not an angel, not the answer
How did life become a disaster?
I'm just going nowhere faster
There was a time before, I was adored
By every son and daughter
There was a time when I was happy
When I was Harry Potter