Although Uncle Tupelo broke up before it achieved commercial success, the band is renowned for its impact on the alternative country music scene. The group's first album, No Depression, became a byword for the genre and was widely influential. Uncle Tupelo's sound was unlike popular country music of the time, drawing inspiration from styles as diverse as the hardcore punk of The Minutemen and the country instrumentation and harmony of the Carter Family and Hank Williams. Farrar and Tweedy lyrics frequently referenced Middle America and the working class of Belleville.
Outdone
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics
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Everything's just all right, or is it now
? up to the round, but keep moving on
You can cut the cord now, just dragging along
Now there's too many people trying too hard
Not to be outdone
They follow close behind their proud smoking gun
It's up to you and me whether to pay them any mind
Some people turn to tomorrow, and some, a bottle of wine
Remember back when there could be no wrong
It's different for everyone until it's gone
Now there's too many people trying too hard
Not to be outdone
They follow close behind their proud smoking gun
Things are breaking down
Not that stuff
Think it over again
Dreams come and go, and one thing remains
In the back of your mind, it won't go away
Saying, "take a look around and tell me everything's just fine
From what I can see now, we'd be fools or lying"
Now there's too many people trying too hard
Not to be outdone
They follow close behind their proud smoking gun
They say take your leave from the common view
First look around past the college grounds
Were people aware of more than themselves, they'd care
The lyrics of Uncle Tupelo's song "Outdone" reflect on the pressures and challenges of trying to succeed and stand out in a society where everyone is striving to be exceptional. The opening lines suggest that everything appears to be okay on the surface, but there is an underlying tension and uncertainty that is difficult to ignore. The phrase "dragging along" implies a sense of detachment or resignation, as if the singer is simply going through the motions without any real purpose or direction.
The chorus of the song is a repeated refrain that highlights the central theme of competition and the fear of being left behind or "outdone" by others. The line "too many people trying too hard not to be outdone" captures the sense of desperation and anxiety that many people feel in today's world. The image of a "proud smoking gun" suggests that people are willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it means compromising their values or taking shortcuts.
The latter half of the song becomes more reflective and introspective, with the lyrics urging the listener to take a step back from the rat race of life and consider what really matters. The lines "Dreams come and go, and one thing remains/In the back of your mind, it won't go away" suggest that there are deeper desires and aspirations that cannot be ignored. The closing lines encourage the listener to broaden their perspective and think about the world beyond their own individual experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's fine for now, no one's really laughing
Things seem fine on the surface, but there's tension underneath
Everything's just all right, or is it now
Even though everything might seem okay, there's uncertainty
? up to the round, but keep moving on
It's unclear what's coming, but we have to keep going
You can cut the cord now, just dragging along
It's time to move on from what's holding us back
Now there's too many people trying too hard
There's too much competition and not enough cooperation
Not to be outdone
People are trying to prove themselves and not fall behind
They follow close behind their proud smoking gun
People are quick to defend their beliefs and actions
It's up to you and me whether to pay them any mind
We have the power to choose what we care about
Some people turn to tomorrow, and some, a bottle of wine
People cope with stress and uncertainty in different ways
Remember back when there could be no wrong
There was a time when things seemed simpler and clearer
It's different for everyone until it's gone
Situations affect people differently, but everyone loses eventually
Things are breaking down
The situation is deteriorating
Not that stuff
It's not just material things that are breaking down
Think it over again
Take a moment to reconsider
Dreams come and go, and one thing remains
Dreams are fleeting, but something remains constant
In the back of your mind, it won't go away
Something is always nagging at us, no matter how hard we try to ignore it
Saying, "take a look around and tell me everything's just fine
We need to acknowledge the problems in our surroundings
From what I can see now, we'd be fools or lying"
It's obvious that things aren't fine, and denying it would be foolish or dishonest
They say take your leave from the common view
Reject the popular opinion and think for yourself
First look around past the college grounds
Expand your perspective beyond your immediate surroundings
Were people aware of more than themselves, they'd care
If people were more empathetic and informed, they would take action to address problems
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAY FARRAR, JEFF TWEEDY, MIKE HEIDORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind