Groves grew up in a family of seven kids in a tiny town just over seven square miles near the Southern border of the state. At the age of seven she heard Frank Sinatra on the radio and told her mom "I want to write things down that I have to say, and I want to sing them real loud so everyone can hear me."
Cady graduated high school early, and then went to culinary school when she was 16. She was in a few casual music projects, but had problem finding other people who wanted to make music their life, and not just a hobby. In the search for such a person she came to southwestern Oklahoma where she signed up for college at SWOSU.
Groves' first independent EP was 2009's A Month of Sundays. Another EP, The Life of a Pirate, followed in 2010. In May 2015, Groves self-released the single "Crying Game". Groves released her EP Dreams for free download in October 2015.
Ugly
Cady Groves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why we never get along
I can't believe I let you in
If lies were money, boy you'd spend
You've got your reasons, I don't get them
But for you somehow it's cool
Your whole existence, inconsistent
So don't look at me
I just can't help it
You're ugly
I know you're rich, and tailor made
The combination wasn't great
It's like your mouth was in a race
But your flavor's lost taste
You only call me late at night
Yeah, you keep breaking all the rules
As if they don't apply to you
Yeah, you don't have a clue
Don't look at me
I just can't help it
You're ugly
You're just a pretty boy
With such a pretty voice
And all the stupid girls
Listen 'cause they have no choice
You're just a pretty boy
With such a pretty voice
And all the stupid girls
They have no choice
I see through all the static and the noise
Manipulating people and you treat 'em like toys
You're ugly, ugly, ugly
Lalala
You're ugly, ugly, ugly
Stop trying to speak
Your lips are too crusty
So full of shit
I find you disgusting
Don't come to me
No one can help you
You're ugly
Gross
The lyrics to Cady Groves's song "Ugly" seem to be confronting someone who is not a good person despite their good looks and successful life. The singer begins by pointing out that the person they are addressing always says the right thing but does the wrong thing, leading to their constant disagreements. They also mention that this person is inconsistent with reality and more interested in living in a fantasy world. The repeated refrain of "you're ugly" seems to be referring to the person's inner ugliness despite their outward attractiveness. The singer acknowledges the person's wealth and privileged life but suggests that it does not make up for their empty character. The bridge of the song includes some harsher insults, with the singer calling the person "full of shit" and "disgusting". Overall, the message seems to be that a person's looks and status mean nothing if they are not a good person inside.
One interesting aspect of this song is that it was actually a response to a song by the same title by the band Lifehouse. Groves was inspired to write her own version after hearing the Lifehouse song and feeling like it did not fully explore the topic of inner ugliness. Unfortunately, Groves passed away in 2020 before she could release this song on her album, although it was eventually released posthumously.
Another interesting fact about this song is that it features background vocals from two other popular musicians: Max Collins, the lead singer of Eve 6, and Shane Stevens, a country songwriter who has penned hits for artists like Lady Antebellum and Selena Gomez.
The song was produced by Kristian Lundin, a Swedish songwriter and producer known for his work with Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and N'Sync.
The music video for "Ugly" was also released posthumously, after Groves's passing. It features footage of the singer performing the song alongside clips of her living her life and interacting with fans.
In interviews, Groves explained that the song was about a person in her life who was very attractive and successful but who lacked empathy and kindness. She wanted to explore the idea that being a good person is more important than outward appearances or accomplishments.
The song was Groves's first release in several years, after taking some time away from music to deal with personal struggles including mental health issues and the death of her brother.
Although "Ugly" is a fairly straightforward song in terms of its structure and melody, Groves's vocals are notable for their emotive power and range. She had a powerful voice and was known for her ability to convey intense emotions through her music.
The chords for "Ugly" are as follows: G - D - Em - C (repeat throughout the song). The rhythm is fairly simple and the song is in a relatively slow tempo, allowing the lyrics and vocals to take center stage.
Line by Line Meaning
You said it right, you did it wrong
Your words are correct, but your actions are not in line with them
That's why we never get along
This disconnect between words and actions causes consistent conflict between us
I can't believe I let you in
I regret allowing you into my life
If lies were money, boy you'd spend
You tell so many lies that if lying had a monetary value, you'd be broke from overspending
You've got your reasons, I don't get them
You have your own motives for your behavior, but I don't understand them
But for you somehow it's cool
You perceive your actions as acceptable or even desirable
Your whole existence, inconsistent
Your behavior is erratic and unpredictable, not in line with the person you claim to be
With reality
Your behavior is so far from normalcy that it doesn't match up with reality
So don't look at me
Don't expect me to tolerate your behavior
I just can't help it
I'm disgusted by you so innately that I can't stop feeling this way
You're ugly
Your behavior is repulsive, and I don't want to be associated with you
I know you're rich, and tailor made
You might have money and appear to have your life together on the surface
The combination wasn't great
However, the combination of your characteristics doesn't make you a great or even a decent person
It's like your mouth was in a race
You talk non-stop, often without thinking about what you're saying
But your flavor's lost taste
Your personality and behavior used to be appealing, but they've since become stale and unpleasant
You only call me late at night
You only get in touch when you need something from me or when it's convenient for you, regardless of the time
Yeah, you keep breaking all the rules
You don't abide by social norms or basic courtesy; you do what you want, when you want
As if they don't apply to you
You believe that rules don't apply to you because you're above them
Yeah, you don't have a clue
You're ignorant to how appalling your behavior really is
You're just a pretty boy
You're only attractive in looks but not in personality
With such a pretty voice
You can sound good when you speak, but your words lack substance
And all the stupid girls
There are people that are naive enough to be attracted to you
Listen 'cause they have no choice
Some people have no other options, so they listen to you even though they don't want to
I see through all the static and the noise
Despite your actions, I can see what kind of person you are
Manipulating people and you treat 'em like toys
You enjoy controlling and exploiting others without any regard for their feelings
You're ugly, ugly, ugly
You're behavior is ugly in every sense of the word
Lalala
Stop trying to speak
I don't want to hear what you have to say
Your lips are too crusty
You've lied and talked too much that everything coming out of your mouth seems insincere and unappetizing
So full of shit
You're a liar and deceitful, and whatever you're saying isn't the truth
I find you disgusting
I'm sickened by your behavior
Don't come to me
I don't want to associate with you
No one can help you
It's beyond me or anyone else to fix or change your repugnant behavior
You're ugly
Your behavior makes you unappealing in every sense of the word
Gross
You're behavior is gross in every sense of the word
Contributed by Parker B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ravennightshade2644
this is one of my favorite songs of her and im not a huge fan of type of music like this but it’s great and style, rip <3 cady i love you. times really goes by so quickly :(
@elizaa66
I see a lot of people saying they miss the old Cady.....What I hear is the same beautiful voice as before. Yeah, this style of music is a bit different to what we usually hear from her, but I still love it. Every single one of her songs sounds amazing. <3
@MaryannBushx3
You guys are crazy. This is the music Cady always wanted to make, but couldn't afford to make. It sounds great, and although I love her older stuff, this is just as amazing. I love everything Cady does!
@katlynleckie3223
Wow, i love this song you have an amazing voice Cady, definitely not auto tuned <3
@juliaisahippy
I love her so much. I've loved her for like 3 years now, and I'm really proud that she's stayed cool and everything:) this isn't autotuned. It just sounds more developed than her other stuff. Y'all need to calm down.
@iDance360
this song is awesome and im glad she sung it. she sung it well :)
@silvialopez2691
Love this song !!!!
@campsterman2010
I like that people are calling her "auto tuned" Obviously they haven't heard true auto tune. Good job Cady. Love it.
@Insanepurpleperson
I love it. <3 once a fan always a fan.
@333Yorkie
The "gross" at the end almost made me spit out my drink. I can't