The members—, Justin Kawika Young , Jason Reeves , and Nelly Joy —trade verses about a relationship that fell apart through small, avoidable mistakes. By removing the drums and driving studio production, the acoustic arrangement emphasizes the "plaintive" and "crisp" nature of their harmonies. The Story Behind the Song
It was the first song the group wrote that felt like it represented all four of them equally, rather than being a solo vehicle for Caillat. A Bittersweet Legacy Gone West - What Couldve Been (Acoustic)
The Raw Beauty of Retrospection: Gone West’s Acoustic "What Could’ve Been" The members—, Justin Kawika Young , Jason Reeves
It explores the "lingering regret" of things that could have been done differently—talking softer, kissing harder, or following through on promises. A Bittersweet Legacy The Raw Beauty of Retrospection:
Despite the band members being in committed relationships at the time, "What Could’ve Been" was written from the perspective of looking back years later on a failed romance.
Released in early 2020 as a "Fireside Session," the acoustic rendition of "What Could’ve Been" hyper-focuses on the band's four-part vocal chemistry. Filmed in a single take at Lewis Park Recordings in Nashville, the video highlights the raw, organic vibe of a group that was essentially two couples making music together.
