Tim McGraw has dropped another song on his growing stack of cuts that aim to better society. “People Like Us” is for fans of “Undivided” and “Humble and Kind.”
While not (yet) a radio single, McGraw’s message (courtesy of writers Scooter Carusoe and Tom Douglas) of unity is timely. There’s a presidential election in 25 days, and everywhere you look there’s video, images and soundbites pitting us vs. them.
“If we’re willing, we can be building a tomorrow we can trust / But it’s up to people like us,” McGraw sings to close the chorus.
Find the lyrics to “People Like Us” below.
Sonically, the song is ambitious as his ultimate goal. A delicate piano opens it, but soon steel guitar and light strings support his vocals.
Drums, electric guitar and other instruments familiar to country fans join in. By the end, an orchestral arrangement emphasizes lyrics like, “But we won’t ever know each other until we walk a mile in each other’s shoes.”
“People Like Us” is ripe for a duet or cross-genre collaboration, but alas, the CMA Awards are after the election, so a made-for-TV opportunity may truly need to be made for TV.
Here Are the Lyrics to Tim McGraw’s “People Like Us”:
Mike’s a pipeline welder / Kim’s a drive-thru teller / Johnny’s a drug dealer / Bob’s a concrete sealer / Terry is a soldier / Tom’s a church league bowler / We are liars and lawyers / Lovers, sisters brothers.
Chorus:
People like us / Watch the blues on TV / Get so angry / Blame it on DC / People like us / All God’s children / If we’re willing we can be building a tomorrow we can trust / But it’s up to people like us.
We wear Jordans / We wear flip-flops / We wear wingtips and Luccheses with tube socks / And we wear high heels / And we wear work boots / But we won’t ever know each other until we walk a mile in each other’s shoes.
Repeat Chorus
We can point the finger / There’s enough blame to go around / I wonder what would happen if we turned that finger around.
People like us / We’re a preacher with a dream / Put a man on the moon / We can do anything / Yeah people like us / We’re all God’s children / If we’re willing we can be building a tomorrow we can trust / But it’s up to people like us.
I believe in / People like us.
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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sure know how to live the good life. In addition to their multiple lavish residences in the Nashville area, the superstar couple owned a spectacular mansion in a posh area of California that’s like something out of a movie. Their 11,000-square-foot, 6-bedroom, 9-bathroom residence in the high-dollar area of Beverly Park South in Beverly Hills sold for $9.5 million in 2009.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
Top 50 Tim McGraw Songs, Ranked
Whether it’s party music or songs that stop you in your tracks, Tim McGraw’s catalog has songs for every mood and emotion. Though the Louisiana native launched in 1990 with his self-titled debut record, it wasn’t until the release of his sophomore project four years later that McGraw got the adoration of both country professionals and fans alike. These are the 50 best Tim McGraw songs, ranked.
Gallery Credit: Jeremy Chua