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The Secret of Life
Faith Hill Lyrics


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Couple of guys sittin' 'round drinkin'
Down at the Starlight Bar
One of 'em says, "You know I've been thinkin'"
Other one says, "That won't get you too far"

He says, "This is your life, and welcome to it
It's just workin' and drinkin' and dreams
Ad on TV says, 'Just Do It'
Hell if I know what that means"

The secret of life is a good cup of coffee
The secret of life is keep your eye on the ball
The secret of life is a beautiful woman
Marilyn stares down from the barroom wall

"You and me, we're just a couple of zeros
Just a couple of down-and-outs
But movie stars and football heroes
What have they got to be unhappy about, yeah?"

So they turn to the bartender, "Sam, what do you think?
What's the key that unlocks that door?"
Sam don't say nothin', just wipes off the bar
And he pours them a couple more

'Cause the secret of life is in Sam's martinis
The secret of life is in Marilyn's eyes
The secret of life is in Monday Night Football
Rolling Stones records and mom's apple pies

Sam looks up from his Sunday paper
Says, "Boys, you're on the wrong track
The secret of life is there ain't no secret
And you don't get your money back"
Hey

The secret of life is gettin' up early
The secret of life is stayin' up late
The secret of life is try not to hurry
But don't wait
Don't wait

The secret of life is a good cup of coffee
The secret of life is keep your eye on the ball
The secret of life is to find the right woman
The secret of life is nothin' at all, oh
Oh, it's nothin' at all
The secret of life

Couple of guys sittin' 'round drinkin'
Down at the Starlight Bar
One of 'em says, "You know I've been thinkin'"
Other one says, "That won't get you too far, yeah"
"That won't get you too far"

Overall Meaning

The song "The Secret of Life" by Faith Hill is a reflection on the different attitudes towards life held by different people based on their experiences. The song takes place in a bar, where we meet two guys who are contemplating their lives. One of them thinks that life is just about working, drinking, and having dreams, but he is not sure what the dreams mean. The other guy disagrees, and they turn to bartender Sam to settle the argument. However, Sam tells them that there is no secret to life, and they should enjoy their lives while they can.


The song's lyrics suggest that everyone has their own unique experience of life, and there are no set rules for what will make someone happy. The secret of life, according to the song, varies from person to person. It may be a good cup of coffee, a beautiful woman, or even Monday Night Football. The lyrics also suggest that people should take their time to enjoy life and not get caught up in the rat race.


Overall, the song imparts a message that everyone should try to find their own secret of life and cherish every moment they have. It is a reminder to appreciate life's simple pleasures and not get caught up in chasing after material success.


Line by Line Meaning

Couple of guys sittin' 'round drinkin'
Two men are sitting at the bar of the Starlight Bar, drinking.


Down at the Starlight Bar
The setting of the song is at the Starlight Bar.


One of 'em says, "You know I've been thinkin'"
One of the men starts to ponder about life.


Other one says, "That won't get you too far"
The other man dismisses his friend's thoughts as unhelpful.


He says, "This is your life, and welcome to it
The first man expresses that life consists of work, drinking, and dreams.


It's just workin' and drinkin' and dreams
Life is a routine of work, alcohol, and hopes for the future.


Ad on TV says, 'Just Do It'
The man doesn't understand the motivational phrase from the television commercial.


Hell if I know what that means"
The man is uncertain about the meaning of the ad campaign slogan.


The secret of life is a good cup of coffee
The simple pleasures in life, like a good cup of coffee, are what make life enjoyable.


The secret of life is keep your eye on the ball
To succeed in life, one must remain focused and determined.


The secret of life is a beautiful woman
Finding a supportive partner can greatly enhance one's experiences in life.


Marilyn stares down from the barroom wall
A picture of Marilyn Monroe is hanging on the wall, reminding the men of the beauty in life.


"You and me, we're just a couple of zeros
The men feel insignificant and unimportant compared to celebrities and successful individuals.


Just a couple of down-and-outs
They see themselves as struggling and unsuccessful.


But movie stars and football heroes
They view famous individuals like movie stars and football players as having it all.


What have they got to be unhappy about, yeah?"
They wonder why successful people would be unhappy, since they seem to have everything.


So they turn to the bartender, "Sam, what do you think?
The men ask the bartender, Sam, for his input.


What's the key that unlocks that door?"
They are seeking answers to the secret of life and success.


Sam don't say nothin', just wipes off the bar
The bartender remains silent and continues with his work.


And he pours them a couple more
He refills their glasses with more alcohol.


'Cause the secret of life is in Sam's martinis
The men believe the bartender has the answers, but really they are finding comfort in the drinks he provides.


The secret of life is in Marilyn's eyes
They believe they have found the secret of life in Marilyn Monroe's picture, when really they are just noticing the beauty in life.


The secret of life is in Monday Night Football
They feel that finding joy in simple things such as Monday night football can be the secret to happiness and fulfillment.


Rolling Stones records and mom's apple pies
The little things in life, such as music and home-cooked food, are what can bring joy and satisfaction.


Sam looks up from his Sunday paper
The bartender overhears the men's conversation.


Says, "Boys, you're on the wrong track
The bartender tells them they are not headed in the right direction for finding the secret of life.


The secret of life is there ain't no secret
There really is no secret to life and success.


And you don't get your money back"
There is no guarantee for success, but one can learn from their experiences and mistakes.


The secret of life is gettin' up early
Finding success can be attributed to having a strong work ethic and waking up early.


The secret of life is stayin' up late
One must also work hard and put in the extra effort to achieve success.


The secret of life is try not to hurry
Take your time to enjoy life and everything it has to offer, rushing through it will only lead to unhappiness.


But don't wait
At the same time, don't hesitate to chase your dreams and make the most of life.


The secret of life is a good cup of coffee
A reminder that life's simple pleasures are what make it worthwhile.


The secret of life is keep your eye on the ball
To achieve success, focus on your goals and work diligently towards them.


The secret of life is to find the right woman
Finding love and support in a significant other can greatly enhance one's experiences in life.


The secret of life is nothin' at all, oh
Ultimately, the secret to life is subjective and different for everyone, and it may not even exist.


Oh, it's nothin' at all
Reiterating that there is no specific secret to life.


Couple of guys sittin' 'round drinkin'
The song concludes with the two men still drinking, realizing that the true joy in life is found in the simple moments.


Down at the Starlight Bar
The setting remains at the Starlight Bar, where the men continue to find solace in their drinks and each other's company.


One of 'em says, "You know I've been thinkin'"
The song ends with the man still pondering about life, but now with a newfound appreciation for the little things that bring him joy and purpose.


Other one says, "That won't get you too far, yeah"
His friend reminds him that sometimes overthinking and overanalyzing can be counterproductive to finding joy in life.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Gretchen Peters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@douglastaylor6171

Being human is universal, and no matter the amenities, we adapt; it blends into the walls. When driven, it becomes a game of adrenaline. "Movie stars and football heroes..."

The little things are the big. Experiences, but simplicity is the ultimate sophistication informs the movie star) and it's not the coffee or the ball, it's the connections (the right one, every character that speaks about the "secret of a life").

"Nothing at all.." is what hides the secret of a life from plain view. It's the experiences, the little things, the connections. The stuff we don't value. Those are the supports that we "take for granted."

"You don't get your money back..." sticks with me. You have to play your cards. You'll walk away empty-handed otherwise. But in that commitment is true heartbreak and loss, because you can lose. In losing, we learn how to function in order to win. That's not fully defined as more than "keep your eye on the ball" but that knowledge we can lose, and we achieve...that's accomplishment.

If you get addicted to that feeling we're right back where we started. Or, it might not even penetrate the heart and we feel dead.

"A couple of guys..."



All comments from YouTube:

@dan-qc1dm

The secret to life is a positive attitude! The secret to life is simplicity! There are a few more I've discovered in my 69 years but thats a good start! I love this song!

@Cymricus

agreed

@johndoran5564

Tim McGraw married Is a true to life Angel God she's gorgeous No one else can belt One Out like Faith Hill Dear Mr. And mrs Tim McGraw and Faith Hill I had to learn these lessons the hard way I'm lucky to be alive and well today Thank you so much for this God-given Song !

@billlevins7460

90's country videos make me smile. Everything is so nice in them.

@JackieD318

I agree! 90s country is such "feel-good" music.

@antonmedvedev1128

Whenever I feel like I'm hating everything and everybody I get back to this song in my head reminding myself that the secret of life is in simple things like a good cup of coffee etc., and it lifts my spirits 🥰

@troydaigle7902

Don't fight it....sometimes, it's not worth it friend

@AAA-uy2ob

Beer

@cowboycb36

The secret of life is the simple things in life that make us happy.

@pjhey947

My favorite Faith Hill song! I love them all but this is the best.

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