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Carrie Underwood Lyrics Analysis: “Two Black Cadillacs,” One Old-School Murder Ballad

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Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 01/23/2013 at 3:12 PM Lyrics

The Popdust Files: analysis, carrie underwood, two black cadillacs

In “Between the Lines,” we geekily analyze the the lyrics of your favorite songs, line by line, and–BEST PART–you get to join in and do the very same! Propose your own interpretation, tell us why we JUST DON’T GET IT, or lead your very own conversation.

Few country artists have made a point to keep the tradition of the country story song—a thriving form in the '60s and '70s that brought us chart-topping hits like "Ode to Billie Joe," "Harper Valley PTA" and "The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia"—like Carrie Underwood. Carrie's songs have always had strong narratives, dating back to her early hits about cheaters and All-American Girls, but now that she's moved on to crafting full-on mini-movies with her lyrics, the path of her transition from America's Sweetheart to country diva elder stateswoman is clear. New single "Two Black Cadillacs" is one of the best of these, the vidid title image used as a jumping-off point for a mysterious murder ballad that Bobbie Gentry would be proud to call her own.

Two black Cadillacs driving in a slow parade
Headlights shining bright in the middle of the day
One is for his wife,
The other for the woman who loved him at night
Two black Cadillacs meeting for the first time

And the preacher said he was a good man
And his brother said he was a good friend
But the women in the two black veils didn’t bother to cry
Bye bye, bye bye, bye
Yeah they took turns laying a rose down
Threw a handful of dirt into the deep ground
He’s not the only one who had a secret to hide
Bye bye, bye bye, bye Bye

Two black Cadillacs, two black Cadillacs

Two months ago his wife called the number on his phone
Turns out he’d been lying to both of them for oh so long
They decided then he’d never get away with doing this to them
Two black Cadillacs waiting for the right time, right time

It was the first and the last time they saw each other face to face
They shared a crimson smile and just walked away
And left the secret at the grave