Merry Go 'Round Lyrics
Kacey Musgraves
Lyrics
If you ain't got two kids by 21, you're probably gonna die alone
At least that's what tradition told you
And it don't matter if you don't believe, come Sunday mornin'
You best be there in the front row like you're supposed to
Same hurt in every heart
Same trailer, different park
Mama's hooked on Mary Kay
Brother's hooked on Mary Jane
Daddy's hooked on Mary two doors down
Mary, Mary quite contrary
We get bored, so, we get married
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go 'round and 'round and 'round we go
Where it stops nobody knows
And it ain't slowin' down
This merry go 'round
We think the first time's good enough
So, we hold on to high school love
Sayin' we won't end up like our parents
Tiny little boxes in a row, ain't whatcha want, it's whatcha know
Just happy in the shoes you're wearin'
Same checks we're always cashin'
To buy a little more distraction
'Cause mama's hooked on Mary Kay
Brother's hooked on Mary Jane
Daddy's hooked on Mary two doors down
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We get bored, so, we get married
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go 'round and 'round and 'round we go
Where it stops nobody knows
And it ain't slowin' down
This merry go 'round
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
We're so bored until we're buried
Just like dust, we settle in this town
On this broken merry go 'round
Merry go 'round
Jack and Jill went up the hill
Jack burned out on booze and pills
And Mary had a little lamb
Mary just don't give a damn no more
Song & Lyrics Facts
Kacey Musgraves’ song “Merry Go 'Round” is a country-pop single released in 2012. It was written by Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally, and produced by Luke Laird and Shane McAnally for her major label debut album Same Trailer Different Park (2013).
The lyrics of the song describe life in small towns as having "the same old cliches" and how people are stuck in a cycle of gossiping, getting drunk and going to church on Sundays. Musgraves' vocals are accompanied by guitar, drums, bass, organ, banjo, and strings. The song peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and won Best Country Song at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. In addition, it was chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 50 best songs of 2013 and named the third best country song of the decade by Taste of Country. Lyrically, the song speaks to the universal themes of tradition, conformity, and disillusionment with the status quo.