Undermine
Charles Esten Lyrics


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Sometimes good intentions
Don't come across so well
Get me analyzing everything that
Ain't worth thinking 'bout

Just 'cause I ain't lived through
The same hand that was dealt to you
Doesn't make me any less
Or make any more of you

I wouldn't trade my best day
So you could validate
All your fears

And if I've only got one shot
Won't waste it on a shadow box
I'll stand right here

It's all talk, talk, talk
Talkin' in the wind
It only slows you down
If you start listenin'
And it's a whole lot harder to shine
Than undermine
Yeah, undermine

First mile is always harder
When you're leaving what you know
Won't blame you if you stay here
Waving to me as I go

Always wished the best for you
Thought that you would see me through my wildest dreams
Yeah, the ones you thought I'd never make

Still, you would trade your best day
Just to have your way
All these years
And if you only had one shot
Maybe all this talk
Would disappear

It's all talk, talk, talk
Talkin' in the wind
It only slows you down
If you start listenin'
And it's a whole lot harder to shine
Than undermine
Yeah, undermine

It's a whole lot harder to shine
Yeah, it's a whole lite harder to shine
Than undermine
Yeah, undermine





Sometimes good intentions
Don't come across so well

Overall Meaning

"Undermine" by Charles Esten and Hayden Panettiere is a powerful song about resilience and the importance of staying true to oneself. The first verse speaks to the pressure people feel to conform to the expectations of others, even when it goes against what they believe is right. The lines "Get me analyzing everything that/ Ain't worth thinking 'bout" express the frustration of wasting time and energy on things that don't matter, while "Just 'cause I ain't lived through/ The same hand that was dealt to you/ Doesn't make me any less/ Or make any more of you" acknowledge that everyone's experiences are different and shouldn't be used to judge them.


The chorus is a rallying cry for self-confidence and determination. The lines "I wouldn't trade my best day/ So you could validate/ All your fears/ And if I've only got one shot/ Won't waste it on a shadow box/ I'll stand right here" assert that the singer won't compromise their own happiness and goals for someone else's approval. The repetition of "It's all talk, talk, talk" emphasizes the empty nature of criticism and negativity, while "And it's a whole lot harder to shine/ Than undermine" acknowledges the struggle of staying positive and motivated in the face of obstacles and criticism.


The second verse continues the theme of pursuing one's dreams despite naysayers. The lines "Won't blame you if you stay here/ Waving to me as I go" suggest that some people may not want to take risks or challenge themselves, and that's okay. The singer still wishes them the best, but won't let their doubts hold them back. The lines "Still, you would trade your best day/ Just to have your way/ All these years" express the frustration of dealing with people who are always looking for ways to bring you down, while "And if you only had one shot/ Maybe all this talk/ Would disappear" suggests that people who don't take risks and pursue their own happiness may be less inclined to criticize others.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes good intentions
Although intentions were good


Don't come across so well
They did not have the desired effect


Get me analyzing everything that
It causes me to overthink things


Ain't worth thinking 'bout
That are not important


Just 'cause I ain't lived through
My lack of experience with


The same hand that was dealt to you
The challenges you have faced


Doesn't make me any less
Does not diminish my worth


Or make any more of you
Or make you superior


I wouldn't trade my best day
I would not give up my happiest memories


So you could validate
In order for you to acknowledge


All your fears
Your deepest anxieties


And if I've only got one shot
If I only get one chance


Won't waste it on a shadow box
I won't use it on something meaningless


I'll stand right here
I'll stay put


It's all talk, talk, talk
It's just chatter


Talkin' in the wind
Aimlessly going nowhere


It only slows you down
It only hinders your progress


If you start listenin'
If you let it consume you


And it's a whole lot harder to shine
It's much more difficult to succeed


Than undermine
Than to be undercut


First mile is always harder
The initial steps are the toughest


When you're leaving what you know
When you depart from the familiar


Won't blame you if you stay here
I won't hold it against you if you choose to remain


Waving to me as I go
Waving goodbye to me as I leave


Always wished the best for you
I've always wanted the best for you


Thought that you would see me through my wildest dreams
Believed you would support me in my aspirations


Yeah, the ones you thought I'd never make
You thought some of my goals were unattainable


Still, you would trade your best day
Yet, you would give up your happiest memories


Just to have your way
Just to achieve your desired outcome


All these years
Over this length of time


And if you only had one shot
If you were given one chance


Maybe all this talk
Perhaps all this idle chatter


Would disappear
Would vanish


It's a whole lot harder to shine
It's much more difficult to succeed


Than undermine
Than to be undercut




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Trent Dabbs, Kacey Musgraves

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Gamers......!

real country !

Neal Fry

Dearest Darling Hayden Panettiere,
In 1958 When I, Neal Patrick Fry from Detroit at Our Lady Gate of Heaven in
The 1st Grade I met Marty De Larco.
We were both 6 Years Old and on the
3rd Day of 1st Grade we Became " Forever Friend's Always Each Other's
Shadow. All through Junior High School and High School we were Always " Forever Friend's. " In 1966
I got my 1st Electric Guitar, a Replica of
A Fender Stratocaster and my Dad
Built me an Amplifier. Marty De Larco
Bought "A" 12 String Electric Guitar and
We Played Pretty Cool, Jazz, Rythm and Blues, and Rock & Roll. Marty's
Older Brother, John De Larco was 5 Years Older than us. At Age 18 John
De Larco Became " Mr. Michigan with
A 65" Inch Chest and 21" Inch Arms.
Marty Joined a Carpenter Trade School and Became "A" Finishing Carpenter.
He " Owned " his Own Business and
Ford Motor Company " Hired " Marty
To Rebuild The Ford Family Estate.
The Christmas of 1990 Marty's Home
Caught on Fire. Marty's Oldest son was
Visiting his Friend. Marty Saved his
Loving Wife and 1 Daughter. When
Marty Went Back to Save Their 6 Children, They All Died. All 7 Coffins were Closed.
Both The Canton and Westland, Michigan Fire Departments Could Not
Stop Crying.
John De Larco was "A+" Attorney who
Got 16,000,000 Million Dollars for
" Faulty Brand New Christmas Lights.
Mrs. De Larco, Marty's Most Precious and Wonderful Wife said, " Nothing
Can Fill The Emptiness of Loosing
7 Precious Beloved Family Members.
God Loves His Children and Marty
De Larco and Their 6 Children are in
Heaven now.
All my " Everlasting Neverending Pure Innocent Genuinely Joyful and Heavenly Happiness " True Love, " Always and Forever Your's Affectionately, Meaningfully and Faithfully Your's Forever in The Most
Precious Holy Name of Jesus Christ, amen,
Sincerely Your's Affectionately and Lovingly Forever Your's,
Neal Patrick Fry

Neal Fry

"♡" I Love "♡" you Hayden "♡"

Neal Fry

R.E.O. Speedwagon - ( Golden Country)
Check it out! Gary eats frets for breakfast

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