Patterson Hood (born Mar 24, 1964) is best known as the leader of the Driv… Read Full Bio ↴Patterson Hood (born Mar 24, 1964) is best known as the leader of the Drive-By Truckers. He is the son of acclaimed Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood. In 2004, he released an album entitled Killers and Stars. His second solo album, Murdering Oscar (and Other Love Songs) was released in June 2009.

I Understand Now
Patterson Hood Lyrics

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Uncle Phil said to me that woman is the death of me
I don't think there's anything I can do
She's got ways I don't understand
Putting words into my mouth, things I can't get used to

But then she dropped the cornbread in the kitchen
Uncle Phil smiled as if she'd just done the greatest thing

I'm not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now
I'm not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now

My cousin screwed up without a doubt
All of a sudden he wasn't hanging out
And that girl he said, she is the cats
Then he disappeared from sight without a trace

So they had a bunch of babies and they got a good jobs
Working hard to provide the best they can

And I'm not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now
Not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now

I'm starting to appreciate the value of generations changing hands
Family ties and lips and eyes pass it down, pass it down

Now the weatherman today said
Warm and cloudy, cold front coming in around sundown
And I'm walking through your house full of your beautiful relations
And I'm thinking that I'd like to stick around

And there are things I have said with one hand on the Bible
That are only now starting to make sense

I'm not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now
Not sure if I understood then
But I guarantee I understand now

I understand now, I understand now
I understand now

Overall Meaning

The song "I Understand Now" by Patterson Hood is a reflection on the wisdom that comes with age and experience, particularly in terms of family and relationships. The lyrics explore the idea that sometimes we don't understand the choices our family members make, but as we grow older we begin to see things from their perspective.

The first verse of the song references Uncle Phil, who warns the singer about a woman who is the "death" of him. The singer doesn't understand why Uncle Phil would say such a thing, but then witnesses the same woman dropping cornbread in the kitchen and sees him react in a positive way. This leads the singer to contemplate the idea that there may be more to this woman than meets the eye.

The second verse shifts to the singer's cousin, who has disappeared from sight after getting involved with a woman. The singer doesn't understand why his cousin would give up his old life, but then sees that he has a family and a good job. This leads the singer to reflect on the value of family and the passing down of traditions and wisdom.

Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that we can always learn from those who came before us, even if we don't always understand their choices at first.

Line by Line Meaning

Uncle Phil said to me that woman is the death of me
My Uncle Phil warned me that a woman could ruin my life

I don't think there's anything I can do
I feel powerless to avoid this fate

She's got ways I don't understand
Her behavior is unfamiliar to me and confusing

Putting words into my mouth, things I can't get used to
She's saying things on my behalf that I don't agree with or want to say

But then she dropped the cornbread in the kitchen
Despite her flaws, she did something sweet or endearing

Uncle Phil smiled as if she'd just done the greatest thing
My Uncle Phil was able to see the good in her despite his warning

My cousin screwed up without a doubt
My cousin made a mistake

All of a sudden he wasn't hanging out
He stopped spending time with us

And that girl he said, she is the cats
He had a crush on a girl he thought was great

Then he disappeared from sight without a trace
He vanished completely from our lives

So they had a bunch of babies and they got a good jobs
He and the girl he liked started a family and found success

Working hard to provide the best they can
They work tirelessly to provide for their family

I'm starting to appreciate the value of generations changing hands
I'm recognizing the importance of generational knowledge and traditions

Family ties and lips and eyes pass it down, pass it down
Families pass down their history and culture through storytelling and shared experiences

Now the weatherman today said
The weather forecast for today is

Warm and cloudy, cold front coming in around sundown
It will be warm and cloudy during the day, but a cold front is expected in the evening

And I'm walking through your house full of your beautiful relations
I'm in your house, surrounded by your beautiful family members

And I'm thinking that I'd like to stick around
I'm enjoying myself and want to stay longer

And there are things I have said with one hand on the Bible
There are things I've promised to do or believe in with absolute certainty

That are only now starting to make sense
I'm just beginning to understand the depth of these promises

I understand now, I understand now
I've come to a new understanding of the world and the people in it

I understand now
I finally get it

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: PATTERSON HOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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