Three
Lauren Alaina Lyrics


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Three ways before I could even need
My brother's son, didn't see him turn one or two
Three months I haven't made Sunday service once
I'm out on the road praying alone
Every night for a sign that I'm doing this right and I'm right
Where I'm supposed to be...

Mama said, "you'll be a star"
And daddy said, "you're gonna go far, all you gotta do is sing your heart out"
A lot of miles, a lot of tears
You've given me some of my best years
There's so much I had to miss out on
Six years of missing home for three minutes on the radio...

Three years of wishing that he was here holding my hand
No I didn't plan for those three words
To be the ones that hurt
They don't sound the same from so far away

Oh, my mama said, "you'll be a star"
And daddy said, "you're gonna go far, all you gotta do is sing your heart out"
A lot of miles, a lot of tears
You've given me some of my best years
There's so much I had to miss out on
Six years of missing home for three minutes on the radio...

I'll do it for the three girls at my show
Who saved up for the front row
And the three times that I heard just this week that my words
Were sang by three year old
Hairbrush for a microphone
Little girl with a dream
And that girl was me

Yeah, my mama said, "you'll be a star"
And daddy said, "you're gonna go far, all you gotta do is sing your heart out"
A lot of miles, a lot of tears
You've given me my best years
There's so much I had to miss out on




Six years of missing home
But I'd spend fifty more gone for three minutes on the radio

Overall Meaning

In Lauren Alaina's song, "Three," she delves into the sacrifices she has had to make to pursue her dreams of becoming a country music star. The title "Three" seems to refer to the various significant events in her life that have revolved around the number. The lyrics, "Three ways before I could even need," are a reference to the three significant events that occurred in her life before she even knew that she needed them. The first being her brother's son, who she did not see grow up, and the second being the three months she went without going to Sunday service. Alaina then goes on to describe the loneliness she experiences while on the road, praying and hoping for a sign that she is doing the right thing.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the support Alaina has had from her parents, who have always encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming a country music star. They believed in her talent, and their words of encouragement have given her the strength to continue despite the difficulties. The lyrics, "There's so much I had to miss out on, six years of missing home for three minutes on the radio," touch on the price that performers like Alaina have to pay to achieve success—long stretches of time away from family and friends, with only the fleeting moments of onstage glory as a reward.


Overall, Lauren Alaina's "Three" is a poignant reflection on the sacrifices that performers make to achieve their dreams. It's a reminder that even the most successful people have to pay a price, and for Alaina, it has been six years of hard work away from home, chasing her dreams on the road.


Line by Line Meaning

Three ways before I could even need
There were three significant things that happened in my life before I was aware that I needed them


My brother's son, didn't see him turn one or two
I missed the first two years of my nephew's life because of my commitments as a musician


Three months I haven't made Sunday service once
I have missed church for three months in a row due to being on tour


I'm out on the road praying alone
As I travel for work, I pray on my own for guidance and strength


Every night for a sign that I'm doing this right and I'm right
Every night, I pray for confirmation that I'm on the right path and that what I'm doing is making a difference


Where I'm supposed to be...
I am searching for a sense of purpose and direction in my life


Mama said, "you'll be a star"
My mother had high hopes and believed that I would achieve great things


And daddy said, "you're gonna go far, all you gotta do is sing your heart out"
My father encouraged me to pursue my dreams and told me that success would come if I worked hard and put my heart into my music


A lot of miles, a lot of tears
My journey as a musician has been a long and emotional one


You've given me some of my best years
Despite the challenges, I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that music has brought me


There's so much I had to miss out on
Being a musician has required sacrifices and caused me to miss out on important events or moments in my personal life


Six years of missing home for three minutes on the radio...
I spent six years away from home traveling and performing, and all it amounted to was three minutes of airtime on the radio


Three years of wishing that he was here holding my hand
For the past three years, I have longed for someone to be there by my side for comfort and support


No I didn't plan for those three words
I did not expect to be impacted so deeply by these particular words


To be the ones that hurt
These words caused me pain and heartache


They don't sound the same from so far away
Hearing these words from a distance makes them feel less meaningful or impactful


I'll do it for the three girls at my show
I perform for the sake of the three girls in the audience who look up to me and appreciate my music


Who saved up for the front row
These girls put forth effort to be at the front of the crowd and show their support


And the three times that I heard just this week that my words
Three different people told me recently that the lyrics to my songs impacted them in a positive way


Were sang by three year old
A three year old child sang along to one of my songs, indicating that music can touch lives at any age


Hairbrush for a microphone
As a child, I used a hairbrush as a pretend microphone when I sang


Little girl with a dream
I was once a young girl with aspirations and dreams


And that girl was me
I have come a long way from being that young girl with a passion for singing


You've given me my best years
Music has brought me the best experiences and memories of my life


But I'd spend fifty more gone for three minutes on the radio
Even if it meant being away from home for fifty more years, I would still do it all for the opportunity to hear my music played on the radio




Writer(s): LAUREN SUDDETH, JORDAN REYNOLDS, SETH ENNIS, SETH WILLIAM ENNIS, LAUREN ALAINA

Contributed by Alexis N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Ken Bradley

To me she's one of the most underrated singers out there country or otherwise, this another perfect examples of how good she really is.

Teddie Newton

She has an amazing voice straight from her heart. Love her singing.

Amanda G

This song is soooo powerful. I can’t stop listening to it. She’s so underrated!

Kim English

Lauren you are absolutely AMAZING. So proud of you. You've come so far, can't wait to see how much farther you go.

Marci Duke

Stunning! I prefer this version over the recorded one. Her voice is so raw and just... 🔥

Euben Hope

She has one of the most beautiful voices out there. She deserves all the success

Rainy Days

@Mark Holley just out of curiosity. How is she a bully?

city girl

@Mark Holley Yeah! Explain yourself or are you the BULLY?

Shreya Choudhury Music

@city girl I really think @Mark Holley is really the bully and he's ugly inside and out. What he said about Lauren is a reflection of himself, not her. I don't think she would even care what others think of her honestly. She's beautiful nonetheless and it's our job to support her success.

Zinalia De Sousa

Absolutely so talented.

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