The series stars Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, a legendary country music superstar, whose stardom begins fading. Her producers offer her a joint tour with the up-and-comer Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere), the young and sexy future of country music. But both singers are pursuing their goals. Juliette wants to take the place of Rayna. Rayna thinks that a few songs written by talented author Scarlett O'Connor (Clare Bowen) will help to revive her success. Rayna's father is Lamar Wyatt (Powers Boothe), a powerful politician in Nashville, who forced her to marry Teddy Conrad (Eric Close), who lives on her money.
Undermine
Nashville Cast Lyrics
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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
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
The Nashville Cast's song Undermine is a powerful ballad that expresses the weight of living up to other people's standards and the struggle of finding one's own path. The lyrics acknowledge the tendency to overanalyze and worry about things that are not worth the energy, and the idea that just because someone has not experienced the same hardships as another, it does not make them any less valuable. The first verse highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and not sacrificing one's happiness or success for the validation of others. The chorus reinforces this message, noting that talking about success and dreams does not mean anything unless one takes action, and sometimes it is necessary to ignore the noise around them and focus on what truly matters.
The second verse seems to speak specifically to an individual who may have held the singer back or doubted their capabilities, wishing them the best but ultimately acknowledging that they must move forward without them. The line "It's a whole lot harder to shine than undermine" suggests that it is easier to tear others down and cause doubt than to achieve success and be a shining example of what is possible. Overall, the song is a compelling reflection on the struggle to find one's place in the world and not let the doubt and expectations of others bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes good intentions
Occasionally, despite having good intentions, one's actions or words can come across negatively or in a less favorable light.
Don't come across so well
These intentions are not conveyed as positively as originally intended.
Get me analyzing everything that
The negative reaction or consequence of the actions or words prompt the person to question and overthink everything, even issues that are not worth focusing on.
Ain't worth thinking 'bout
These issues or concerns are minor and really not worth spending too much effort or attention on.
Just 'cause I ain't lived through
Because one has not experienced it themselves,
The same hand that was dealt to you
They cannot completely understand or relate to one's struggle and therefore should not be compared or judged.
Doesn't make me any less
This lack of experience does not make them a lesser person or invalidates their perspective.
Or make any more of you
Nor does it elevate the other person's status or worth.
I wouldn't trade my best day
The person values their own progress and achievements and would not trade them for anything.
So you could validate
In order for the other person to approve or validate them.
All your fears
Insecurity or worries of the other person.
And if I've only got one shot
If there is only one chance or opportunity for success,
Won't waste it on a shadow box
It will not be wasted on false impressions or unrealistic dreams.
I'll stand right here
The person will continue to persevere and remain steadfast in their efforts and goals.
It's all talk, talk, talk
Talk and words are not necessarily productive or effective towards achieving one's objectives.
Talkin' in the wind
These words or talk are empty, meaningless and are just blowing away in the wind.
It only slows you down
Listening and paying too much attention to other people's negative comments or opinions can hinder one's progress or motivation.
If you start listenin'
By starting to give too much attention to these words or opinions.
And it's a whole lot harder to shine
It takes much more effort, determination or skill in order to succeed and be recognized, especially when others are attempting to undermine or discourage.
Than undermine
By ignoring these negative comments or opinions and focusing on one's goals, one has the power to succeed and overcome the challenges they face.
First mile is always harder
Starting something new or taking a risk can be difficult.
When you're leaving what you know
When moving on from a familiar or comfortable situation or environment.
Won't blame you if you stay here
The person understands that staying put can be easier and there is no judgement for such a decision.
Waving to me as I go
Acknowledging the person's decision and offering a farewell before moving on.
Always wished the best for you
Despite the differences or the distance between the two, the person had always wanted the other to be successful and happy.
Thought that you would see me through my wildest dreams
And wanted the other to share in their success and accomplishments.
Still, you would trade your best day
It is unfortunate that the other person still feels the need to bring down the success of the person.
Just to have your way
In order to get their own way or be the more successful one.
All these years
This competition or negativity has continued for some time.
And if you only had one shot
If there was only one opportunity to succeed,
Maybe all this talk
Then these negative words or competition would not be heard and success could be achieved.
Would disappear
And one could move on without this negativity holding them back.
It's a whole lot harder to shine
Reiterating that it is more difficult to be successful than to let others bring one down.
Yeah, it's a whole lite harder to shine
And emphasizing that point.
Than undermine
By letting these negative words or competition drag the person down.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Trent Dabbs, Kacey Musgraves
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind