Carrie Underwood - Wasted Lyrics
Lyrics
Standing at the back door she tried to make it fast
One tear hit the hardwood, it fell like broken glass
She said sometimes love slips away
And you just can't get it back lets face it
For one split second she almost turned around
But that would be like pouring raindrops back into a cloud
So she took another step and said
I see the way out and I'm gonna take it
I don't wanna spend my life jaded, waiting
To wake up one day and find
That I let all these years go by wasted
Another glass of whiskey, but it still don't kill the pain
He stumbles to the sink and pours it down the drain
He said it's time to be a man and stop living for yesterday
Gotta face it
Chorus:
I don't wanna spend my life jaded, waiting
To wake up one day and find
That i let all these years go by wasted
I don't wanna keep on wishing, missing
The still of the morning, the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time wasted
She kept driving along
Video
Carrie Underwood - Wasted (Official Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Carrie Underwood's "Wasted," released in 2009, delves into the profound sorrow of realizing a life spent chasing fleeting, ultimately meaningless pursuits, contrasted with the transformative power of finding true purpose. The song's narrative arc centers on a poignant awakening, a reckoning with wasted time and energy on superficial desires that failed to provide lasting fulfillment. This theme resonates deeply with the scriptural admonition found in Ecclesiastes, particularly the recurring refrain of "vanity of vanities; all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The imagery of life being "wasted" evokes the Proverbs 14:12 sentiment that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Underwood captures the raw ache of discovering that the "highs" sought were ephemeral, leaving behind an emptiness that material possessions or worldly acclaim could not fill.
The true beauty of "Wasted" lies in its implicit, yet powerful, suggestion of a turning point, a moment of clarity where the pursuit of spiritual truth replaces the pursuit of worldly illusion. While not explicitly a worship song, its message of recognizing the futility of a life lived apart from a higher calling echoes the disciples' realization in John 6:68, when Peter declared, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." The song's emotional weight comes from this profound shift – the understanding that true life is found not in what is squandered, but in what is invested in something eternal. This speaks to the biblical principle of seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other needs will be met, as stated in Matthew 6:33. "Wasted" ultimately encourages a reflection on how we are spending our days, urging listeners to consider if their efforts are building on a solid foundation or on sand, as warned in Matthew 7:26-27. The song serves as a powerful reminder that a life truly lived is one directed towards lasting value, a pursuit that finds its ultimate fulfillment in alignment with divine purpose, a truth woven throughout the teachings of Scripture from the wise counsel of Proverbs to the transformative message of the Gospels.