About the song
Background:
- Released in 2006 on Carrie Underwood’s debut album “Some Hearts,” “Before He Cheats” became a runaway hit, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The song was co-written by Underwood with Josh Kelley and Hillary Lindsey.
- The inspiration reportedly came from a news story about a woman who vandalized her cheating boyfriend’s truck.
Themes:
- The song is a powerful anthem of female empowerment and revenge.
- It explores themes of betrayal, anger, and taking control of the situation.
- The lyrics depict a woman who discovers her partner’s infidelity and decides to inflict damage on his prized possessions, particularly his truck, as a symbolic act of revenge.
Lyrics:
The song opens with the woman imagining her cheating partner on a date with another woman. The lyrics then detail the destruction she unleashes on his truck:
- “I got the trailer hitch, key scratched right down the side / I took a Louisville Slugger to both headlights”
- “I slashed a hole in all four tires, maybe next time he’ll think before he lies”
The song also uses vivid imagery to portray the woman’s emotional state:
- “Red high heels, seething mad / Black mascara, running bad”
Impact:
“Before He Cheats” resonated with many women who had experienced betrayal.
- It became a popular choice for karaoke nights and a symbol of female defiance.
- The song’s success helped solidify Carrie Underwood’s image as a strong and independent artist.
It’s important to note:
While the song is catchy and empowering, it does glorify violence.
- It doesn’t explore the emotional complexities of infidelity or the possibility of reconciliation.
Here are some additional details to consider:
- The music video for the song features Underwood enacting the revenge depicted in the lyrics.
- The song has been covered by numerous artists and parodied in pop culture.
“Before He Cheats” remains a significant song in contemporary country music, capturing a specific female perspective on infidelity and sparking conversations about relationships, betrayal, and female agency.
Video
Lyrics
Right now, he’s probably slow dancin’ with a bleach-blonde trampAnd she’s probably gettin’ friskyRight now, he’s probably buyin’ her some fruity little drink‘Cause she can’t shoot whiskeyRight now, he’s probably up behind her with a pool stickShowin’ her how to shoot a comboAnd he don’t know
I dug my key into the side (into the side)Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel driveCarved my name into his leather seatsI took a Louisville slugger to both headlights (both headlights)Slashed a hole in all four tiresMaybe next time, he’ll think before he cheats
Right now, she’s probably up singing someWhite-trash version of Shania karaokeRight now, she’s probably sayin’, “I’m drunk”And he’s a-thinkin’ that he’s gonna get luckyRight now, he’s probably dabbin’ onThree dollars worth of that bathroom PoloOh, and he don’t know
Oh, that I dug my key into the side (into the side)Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel driveCarved my name into his leather seatsI took a Louisville slugger to both headlights (both headlights)Slashed a hole in all four tiresMaybe next time, he’ll think before he cheats
I might’ve saved a little trouble for the next girlA-’cause the next time that he cheatsOh, you know it won’t be on meNo, not on me
‘Cause I dug my key into the side (into the side)Of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel driveCarved my name into his leather seatsI took a Louisville slugger to both headlights (both headlights)Slashed a hole in all four tiresMaybe next time, he’ll think before he cheats
Oh, maybe next time, he’ll think before he cheatsOh, before he cheatsOh