The song expresses regret over hurting someone and a desire to change. It says the singer is not perfect and wishes they could take back the pain they caused. The reason they want to change who they used to be and start over new is because of this person. The singer wants the person to know they've found a reason for all they do, and that reason is the person.

1. HOOBASTANK LYRICS
"The Reason"
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear
I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You
and the reason is You [x3]
I'm not a perfect person
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
My immortal Mi inmortal
I´m so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
´Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won´t leave me alone
These wounds won´t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There´s just too much that time cannot erase

2. When you cried I´d wipe away all of your tears
When you´d scream I´d fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me
You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I´m bound by the life you´ve left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me
These wounds won´t seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There´s just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I´d wipe away all of your tears
When you´d scream I´d fight away all of your fears
and I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me
I´ve tried so hard to tell myself that you´re gone
But though you´re still with me
I´ve been alone all along
When you cried I´d wipe away all of your tears
When you´d scream I´d fight away all of your fears
and I held your hand through all of these years
And you still have all of me