Tim McGraw - Better Than I Used to Be Lyrics
Lyrics
I know how to hold a grudge
I can send a bridge up in smoke
And I can't count the people I've let down, the hearts I've broke
You ain't gotta dig too deep
If you wanna find some dirt on me
I'm learning who you've been
Ain't who you've got to be
It's gonna be an uphill climb
Aw honey I won't lie
I ain't no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
I'm cleanin' up my act, little by little
I'm getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain't as good as I'm gonna get
But I'm better than I used to be
I've pinned a lot of demons to the ground
I've got a few old habits left
There's one or two I might need you to help me get
Standin' in the rain so long has left me with a little rust
But put some faith in me
And someday you'll see
There's a diamond under all this dust
I ain't no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
I'm cleanin' up my act, little by little
I'm getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain't as good as I'm gonna get
But I'm better than I used to be
I ain't no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
But I'm cleanin' up my act, little by little
I'm getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain't as good as I'm gonna get
But I'm better than I used to be
Video
Better Than I Used To Be
Meaning & Inspiration
Tim McGraw's "Better Than I Used to Be," released in 2010 as part of the album *Emotional Traffic*, offers a profound reflection on personal growth and redemption. The song bravely confronts a past marred by mistakes, acknowledged through lines like "I know how to hold a grudge" and "can't count the people I've let down, the hearts I've broke." This candid admission of past failings resonates deeply, mirroring the biblical understanding of humanity's inherent imperfection and the struggle against sin. The core message powerfully echoes the Apostle Paul's sentiment in Romans 3:23, stating that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." McGraw's narrative isn't about dwelling in past transgressions but about the active, ongoing process of transformation.
The song's central theme is the journey towards a better self, even while acknowledging that perfection is not yet attained. McGraw states, "I ain't no angel" and admits to having "a still few more dances with the devil," a raw honesty that aligns with the Christian journey of sanctification. This process, often described as an uphill climb, involves continual effort and reliance on a higher power for strength. The lyrics, "I'm cleanin' up my act, little by little," and "I'm getting there," speak to the incremental nature of spiritual growth, a concept supported by Philippians 1:6, which assures believers, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." The repeated affirmation, "I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see," signifies a newfound self-acceptance and peace that comes from aligning one's life with a higher moral compass. This self-recognition, even with its imperfections, is a testament to the transformative power of repentance and renewed commitment, reflecting the encouragement in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The song ultimately portrays a hopeful perspective, not of arriving at a destination, but of embracing the ongoing, often challenging, but ultimately rewarding path of becoming more like the person God intends us to be.