Justified by Kacey Musgraves Lyrics Meaning – Navigating the Complexities of Post-Breakup Emotions
Lyrics
I rolled on, didn’t think of you
We lost touch with each other
Fall came and I had to move
Moving backwards, hurt comes after
Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line
If I cry just a little
And then laugh in the middle
If I hate you then I love you
Then I change my mind
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That you should have treated me right
Then I’m more than just a little justified
Mm-mm, mm-mm
I’m more than just a little justified
To touch somebody
You know I tried to make that you
And when you lied and said, you didn’t want me
Tell me what was I supposed to do?
Moving on, was feeling strong
But healing doesn’t happen in a straight line
If I cry just a little
And then laugh in the middle
If I hate you and I love you
Then I change my mind
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That you should have treated me right
Then I’m more than just a little justified
Mm-mm, mm-mm
I’m more than just a little justified
If I die just a little
Inside just a little
If I want you and I call you
Then I change my mind
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That I should have treated you right
I’m more than just a little
If I cry just a little
And then laugh in the middle
And I hate you and I love you
Then I change my mind (a million times)
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That you should have treated me right
Then I’m more than just a little justified
Mm-mm, mm-mm
I’m more than just a little justified
In the intricate tapestry of modern country music, Kacey Musgraves continues to embroider her unique brand of introspective storytelling with her song ‘Justified’. The track, a standout from her critically lauded album, functions as not only a narrative but a cathartic outlet, exhibiting the nuanced post-breakup emotions many find familiar but few can articulate with such delicate precision.
‘Justified’ serves as a musical exploration of healing’s unpredictable nature. It’s a song that delves into the heart’s complexities amidst the aftermath of lost love, posing a universal question of how we reconcile the need for closure with the innate desire for emotional vindication.
The Paradox of Healing: Embrace the Non-linear Journey
Musgraves’ opening lines paint a picture of seasonal change and personal growth, yet a closer listen reveals the core theme of ‘Justified’: healing is not linear. The songstress lays bare the often-backward steps that come hand-in-hand with moving on, dismantling the myth that recovery from heartache is a smooth, forward-moving process.
This revelation not only resonates with anyone who has experienced loss but also serves as an affirmation. Musgraves grants permission to feel both strength and vulnerability in waves, validating the listener’s emotional rollercoaster as totally, unapologetically normal.
The Dichotomy of Emotions: Love’s Complicated Aftermath
In the chorus, the oscillating lyrics ‘If I cry just a little, and then laugh in the middle’, and ‘If I hate you then I love you, then I change my mind’ articulate the tumultuous push-and-pull often felt after a relationship’s end. Musgraves articulates an emotional dichotomy, one minute enveloped in sorrow, the next finding humor in the absurdity of pain, then bouncing to love, hate, and indecision.
This fluctuation is a raw and real portrayal of the human heart’s complexity, as contradictory emotions coexist and overlap. ‘Justified’ captures this jumble of feelings with a poise that bolsters understanding and self-forgiveness.
Finding Vindication: The Path to Emotional Justice
At the heart of ‘Justified’ is the quest for emotional vindication. When Musgraves croons about needing ‘just a little more time to deal with the fact that you should have treated me right’, she taps into that desire for retribution or at least recognition of one’s pain and worth.
This isn’t about wallowing, but rather acknowledging self-worth and the injustice of the situation. It’s a reminder that seeking time for oneself to process and find peace is not just understandable but, as the title reinforces, entirely ‘justified’.
The Hidden Meaning: Self-Compassion in Accountability
Lurking beneath the more apparent themes of ‘Justified’ is an undercurrent of self-reflection and accountability. When she sings, ‘If I die just a little inside just a little, If I want you and I call you, Then I change my mind’, Musgraves hints at the self-inflicted anguish that often accompanies the end of a romantic foray.
These lines serve as a mirror, asking listeners to review their own roles in the relationships they mourn. It posits that perhaps in seeking closure and healing, one must also face their own mistakes and grow from them, rounding out the recovery process.
Memorable Lines: Echoes of Relatable Turmoil
The closing iteration of ‘If I cry just a little, And then laugh in the middle’ encapsulates the cyclical nature of post-breakup emotions, creating a resonant refrain that listeners can find solace in. It speaks to the notion that it’s okay to not be okay, to be inconsistent, to change your mind a million times because that’s the honest reality of detangling from another’s presence in your life.
These memorable lines strike a chord not only for their poetic quality but for their fierce honesty. They reverberate long after the song ends, becoming a lyrical mantra for those navigating the murky waters of heartbreak.
