Behind the Meaning of Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It”

“Undo It” is admittedly not a very complex song. Underwood herself has said it didn’t take very long to write.

“I mean, who would have thought,” Underwood once said. “How do you write that down on paper? It was something that it didn’t take that long to write, and it’s so much fun to sing on stage, and people get into it. If you listen to it twice, you know all the words! We had a lot of fun with it.”

That’s not to say, however, that there isn’t a narrative to follow. Sometimes the strongest narratives come easily. Uncover the meaning behind this track, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It”

Should’ve known by the way you passed me by
There was something in your eyes, and it wasn’t right
I should’ve walked, but I never had the chance
Everything got out of hand and I let it slide

Underwood has her fair share of incomparable breakup songs. We’d go as far to call her one of the best in that speciality. This song sees her reckon with a partner turning out not to be who she expected. Should’ve known by the way you passed me by / There was something in your eyes, and it wasn’t right, she sings, noticing the subtle changes.

Though it’s her partner that has changed, she takes some responsibility for not noticing the red flag sooner. The pre-chorus makes that very clear.

Now I only have myself to blame
For falling for your stupid games
I wish my life could be the way
It was before I saw your face

Now you only have yourself to blame
For playing all those stupid games
You’re always going to be the same
Oh, no, you’ll never change

It doesn’t take long for Underwood to bounce back. She pushes their love to the side seeing it for what it is: a lie. Now your photos doesn’t have a picture frame / And I never say your name and I never will, she sings in the second verse.

Now your photos doesn’t have a picture frame
And I never say your name and I never will
And all your things, well, I threw ’em in the trash
And I’m not even sad

Though she’s moved on, in the chorus she tells the listener that she’d rather have not gone through any of it in the first place. The ear-worm chorus sees her dreaming of turning back the clock and undoing the damage he caused.

You stole my happy, you made me cry
Took the lonely, and took me for a ride
And I wanna un-un-un-un-un-undo it

You had my heart, now I want it back
I’m starting to see everything you lack
Boy, you blew it, you put me through it
I wanna un-un-un-un-un-undo it

(Photo by Stephanie Augello/Shutterstock)