'Middle Of It' by Lainey Wilson – Lyrics & Meaning

Lainey Wilson has placated fans with a smattering of singles, such as ‘Country’s Cool Again’ and ‘Hang Tight Honey’, for long enough. Now, that her highly-anticipated Whirlwind is finally here, we're getting swept up in the album's 14 tracks, taking a closer look at and listen to the star's latest offerings.

In each new batch of songs from the 'Watermelon Moonshine' hitmaker, there always seems to be lessons to impart, some of her tunes becoming tools with which to take on life. One of Whirlwind's most valuable is 'Middle Of It.'

A relatable tune about patience and trust on the long journey toward your dreams, the encouraging number is one to keep in your back pocket for when times get hard and the road ahead looks more daunting than promising.

'Middle Of It' is one of the album's more subtle tracks. It comes alive in a trickle of pensive strings before being blanketed in a wash of rigid strums. Throw in a few pillowing rhythms and yawning steel, and the tune is a soft-and-the-edges country dream, one that swims lazily through the ears but holds tightly to the heart.

"So you’re a Sophomore stuck in a slump
Cars in the drive but your hearts packed up
Feel like the next couple years are gonna drag on by
So you’re a dreamer chasing the stars
Where you wanna wind up sure ain’t where you are
Praying the dues that you’re paying are worth the price
Hard to tell how far you are from the start and the finish line"

'Middle Of It' flows with a been-there-done-that kind of wisdom from Wilson, because in reality, the country hitmaker wasn't always that. She had to pay her dues and get the dirty work done in order to get where she is today.

She offers up some of that hard-earned experience in 'Middle Of It', sharing advice for anyone who feels disheartened while chasing their dreams and like giving up is easier than forging ahead.

"In the middle of the road when the smoke ain’t clear
Don’t know how to look at that half glass beer
Got ya leaning on the Lord while ya under your breath just a cussing
Oh but one of these days you’re gonna miss these days
When you didn’t even know you were on your way
Knee deep in the weeds you can only see just a little of it
Smack dab in the middle of it"

While she admits the only way out is through, it's still important to remember this moment when you're in the midst of being on your way. It may be hard to see through the smoke or over the weeds you're standing in, but feel grateful for the journey.

Before you know it, you could be trading heartbreak for hit songs like the artist herself.

"Oh when push comes to shove yeah you gotta push through / You’ll be glad that you did when you do," she sings, but adds as the song comes to a close that there is still beauty in being "in the middle of it."

"Middle of it
Middle of it
And that’s the beauty of it
In the middle of it
In the middle of it"

While nothing has been shared specifically about 'Middle Of It,' Wilson has been open about the fact that this new project has been a major source of solace and self-discovery over the last few years as she's seen her life completely change while her career has skyrocketed.

Weaving together the highs, lows and in-betweens that she's experienced along the way, her signature storytelling is front and center across the project, which she explains has been in the works essentially since the release of Bell Bottom Country in October of 2022.

“This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon,” Wilson noted when announcing the highly-anticipated project. “This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”

Expanding on these sentiments, the decorated entertainer also added: "Writing & recording these 14 songs over the past couple of years has helped me stay grounded in ways you’d never believe. This album brought me back to my roots and made me feel at home during times when I couldn’t have been further away and my biggest hope is that it gives you that same sense of comfort that it has for me."

So you’re a Sophomore stuck in a slump
Cars in the drive but your hearts packed up
Feel like the next couple years are gonna drag on by
So you’re a dreamer chasing the stars
Where you wanna wind up sure ain’t where you are
Praying the dues that you’re paying are worth the price
Hard to tell how far you are from the start and the finish line

In the middle of the road when the smoke ain’t clear
Don’t know how to look at that half glass beer
Got ya leaning on the Lord while ya under your breath just a cussing
Oh but one of these days you’re gonna miss these days
When you didn’t even know you were on your way
Knee deep in the weeds you can only see just a little of it
Smack dab in the middle of it

You were heartbroke that boy did ya wrong
Your pride took a hit but you wrote a hit song
Traded the pictures for records on your wall
And girl I bet you didn’t see that coming at all

In the middle of the road when the smoke ain’t clear
Don’t know how to look at that half glass beer
Got ya leaning on the Lord while ya under your breath just a cussing
Oh but one of these days you’re gonna miss these days
When you didn’t even know you were on your way
Knee deep in the weeds you can only see just a little of it
Smack dab in the middle of it

Oh when push comes to shove yeah you gotta push through
You’ll be glad that you did when you do

In the middle of the road when the smoke ain’t clear
Don’t know how to look at that half glass beer
Got ya leaning on the Lord while ya under your breath just a cussing
Oh but one of these days you’re gonna miss these days
When you didn’t even know you were on your way
Knee deep in the weeds you can only see just a little of it
Smack dab in the middle of it
Middle of it
Middle of it
And that’s the beauty of it
In the middle of it
In the middle of it

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