Undermine
The Cast of Nashville Lyrics


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Sometimes good intentions
Don’t come across so well

Get me analyzing everything that
aint’ worth thinking 'bout
Just cause I ain’t lived through
The same hand that was dealt to you
Doesn't make me any less
Or make any more of you

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

Overall Meaning

The song Undermine by The Cast of Nashville speaks about the struggles of pursuing one's dreams and ambitions. The lyrics explore the idea of how good intentions can sometimes be misunderstood and not come across well, leading to unnecessary analysis of things that are not worth thinking about. The singer acknowledges that just because they have not experienced the same obstacles as others does not make them any less or more than anyone else.


The chorus highlights the importance of staying focused on one's own path and not getting distracted by the opinions of others. The lyrics emphasize that it is a whole lot harder to shine and succeed than to undermine and bring others down. There is also a sense of empathy for those who choose to stay and not take the risk of pursuing their dreams. The singer acknowledges that they have always wished the best for them and believed in themselves even when no one else did.


The song is a powerful reminder that it is important to stay true to oneself and not let the opinions of others weigh us down. It encourages individuals to keep on pursuing their dreams even though it may be challenging and sometimes require leaving what is familiar.


Line by Line Meaning

Sometimes good intentions
Even positive motives can backfire


Don’t come across so well
Sometimes they're not perceived the way they were intended


Get me analyzing everything that aint’ worth thinking 'bout
It can lead to overthinking trivial matters


Just cause I ain’t lived through
Not having experienced the same things as someone else


The same hand that was dealt to you
Having a different set of circumstances than someone else


Doesn't make me any less
It doesn't diminish one's worth


Or make any more of you
Nor does it elevate someone else above you


I wouldn’t trade my best day
I wouldn't sacrifice my own happiness


So you could validate
Just to satisfy someone else's opinion


All your fears
Or to ease their anxieties


And if I’ve only got one shot
Life is finite


Won’t waste it on a shadow box
Don't squander it on something that has no real impact


I’ll stand right here
I'll stay true to myself


It’s all talk, talk, talk
Idle chatter


Talkin' in the wind
Words that don't lead to action


It only slows you down
It holds you back


If you start listenin'
If you give it too much attention


And it’s a whole lot harder to shine
It's more difficult to stand out


Than undermine
Than to sabotage others


First mile is always harder
The beginning of a new journey is challenging


When you're leaving what you know
Stepping out of one's comfort zone


Won’t blame you if you stay here
I understand if you're not ready for change


Waving to me as I go
Wishing the best for me from afar


Always wished the best for you
I have your best interest at heart


Thought that you would see me through my wildest dreams
I expected support from you in achieving my aspirations


Yeah, the ones you thought I’d never make
The ones that you deemed impossible for me


Still, you would trade your best day
You would rather see me fail than accept your misconceptions


Just to have your way
You want to prove yourself right


All these years
After all this time


And if you only had one shot
If you were faced with a similar situation


Maybe all this talk
Perhaps your preconceptions would be challenged


Would disappear
You would see things from a different perspective


It's a whole lot harder to shine
Drawing attention to oneself is difficult


Yeah, it's a whole lite harder to shine
It's a challenge to stand out from the crowd


Than undermine
Rather than tearing others down to elevate oneself




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: TRENT DABBS, KACEY MUSGRAVES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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