Against The Grain
Garth Brooks Lyrics

Folks call me a maverick
People label me as an independent thinker who challenges the norm.

Guess I ain't too diplomatic
I am not very skilled at maneuvering around sensitive issues.

I just never been the kind to go along
I do not conform to popular opinions and ideas.

Just avoidin' confrontation
I try to steer clear of arguments and disagreements.

For the sake of conformation
To avoid creating conflict and maintain harmony within a group.

And I'll admit I tend to sing a different song
I acknowledge that my views and perspectives may differ from others' viewpoints.

But sometimes you just can't be afraid
There are times when fear must be overcome in order to reach a goal.

To wear a different hat
To adopt a different approach or attitude than what is expected or usual.

If Columbus had complied
Had Columbus followed the status quo or what was currently believed, he would not have discovered America.

This old world might still be flat
The world would still be viewed as flat by many people.

Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
If you don't take risks, you do not reap rewards.

Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
Sometimes, in order to succeed or progress, you must challenge the usual way of doing things.

Well, I have been accused
I have been blamed for behaving independently.

Of makin' my own rules
I have created my own guidelines for how I live life.

There must be rebel blood
I have a natural propensity to challenge established ideas or authority.

Just a-runnin' through my veins
This is a fundamental part of my personality.

But I ain't no hypocrite
My actions align with my beliefs.

What you see is what you get
I do not put on a false front.

And that's the only way I know
This is the only way I choose to live and interact with the world.

To play the game
To participate in society and life in general.

Old Noah took much ridicule
Noah received a lot of criticism from others.

For building his great ark
Noah constructed a boat in preparation for a great flood.

But after forty days and forty nights
After a prolonged period of rain and flooding.

He was lookin' pretty smart
His actions were eventually vindicated.

Sometimes it's best to brave the wind and rain
At times, it is necessary to face hardship and challenge in pursuit of a goal.

By havin' strength to go against the grain
You must possess the resilience and fortitude to go against the accepted way of doing things.

Well, there's more folks than a few
There are many people who share my outlook.

Who share my point of view
They have a similar perspective on life as I do.

But they're worried
However, they feel concerned.

If they're gonna sink or swim
They worry about the potential consequences of challenging existing ideas.

They'd like to buck the system
They would prefer to challenge the status quo.

But the deck is tacked against 'em
The odds are not in their favor.

And they're a little scared
They feel slightly intimidated or nervous.

To go out on a limb
They are hesitant to take a risk.

But if you're gonna leave your mark
To have a significant impact or make a difference.

You can't follow like a bunch of sheep
You must not blindly follow popular opinion or ideas.

You got to listen to your heart
You must pay attention to your innermost desires and convictions.

Go bustin' in like old John Wayne
To charge ahead fearlessly, like the legendary actor John Wayne.

Sometimes you got to go against the grain
When necessary, one must challenge the norm to achieve success.

Nothin' ventured, nothin' gained
Taking risks can lead to big rewards.

Sometimes you've got to go against the grain
In order to make a difference or achieve success, one must be willing to challenge accepted ideas.