WILDSIDE - Keith Urban Lyrics
WILDSIDE
Uh, you can tell she was raised
Up right down in the south
Brought up to be a lady
Always made real good grades
Kept both feet on the ground
Never reckless, never crazy
[Pre-Chorus]
Pretty much picture-perfect to a T
But sugar like that's a dangerous kinda sweet
Lookin' at her, you never would believe that
[Chorus]
She knows how to shut the sun down
Light up all of downtown
Danger on the dance floor, good Lord
Takes a man to handle, gotta hold tight
'Bout to be a mile high
She’s bringin’ out her Alabamalicious, supernova
'Til the night is over
Wildside
Mm-mm, wildside
[Post Chorus]
Oh yeah
Hey
[Verse 2]
Wildside, oh my
Burnin' me up like a wildfire
3 AM, and she ain't tired
She's straight fire
When she ditches that laid-back
Spends a little time off the train tracks
It’s insane that
She’s so refined and a little shy
But come Friday night (Friday night)
[Chorus]
She gon' shut the sun down
Light up all of downtown
Dangerous on the dance floor, good Lord
Takes a man to handle, gotta hold tight
'Bout to be a mile high
She's bringin' out her Alabamalicious, supernova
'Til the night is over
Wildside
[Post-Chorus]
Oh yeah, woo
Here she come
[Pre-Chorus]
She's pretty much picture-perfect to a T
Oh, a Little Miss Angel most days of the week (Aw, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But sugar like that's a dangerous kinda sweet
Better stand back 'cause ya'll about to see
[Chorus]
That she knows how to shut the sun down
Light up all of downtown
Devil on the dance floor, good Lord
Takes a man to handle, gotta hold tight
'Bout to be a wild ride
Aw, here comes that Alabamalicious, supernova
Party's never over
Wildside (Wildside)
[Outro]
Oh, wildside
Oh, the party's never over
Wildside, woo, hey
Bringin’ out her wildside
Hey, yeah
Introduction
"WILDSIDE" is the fourth track on Keith Urban’s 2024 album *HIGH*. Co-produced by Keith Urban and Dann Huff, this energetic track celebrates the dual nature of a woman who balances her refined upbringing with a hidden wild side that comes out to play at night. With its vibrant mix of country and rock influences, "WILDSIDE" paints a picture of a fun, carefree spirit who lights up any room she enters. The song captures Urban’s signature blend of storytelling, playful lyrics, and infectious rhythms, making it a lively anthem for cutting loose.
Song Info
- Producers: Keith Urban & Dann Huff
- Release Date: June 28, 2024
- Genre: Country Rock
- Album: *HIGH*
Exploring the Lyrics of "WILDSIDE" by Keith Urban
"WILDSIDE" takes listeners on a journey through the two contrasting sides of the song’s central figure—a woman who balances her traditional Southern roots with a daring, untamed energy. Urban contrasts her calm daytime demeanor with her nighttime escapades, where she lets loose and lives life to the fullest.
Verse 1
In the opening verse, Urban introduces a woman who was "raised up right down in the south," portraying her as the quintessential Southern lady. She’s "brought up to be a lady" and "always made real good grades," reflecting her polished, responsible side. However, the hint of something more rebellious is suggested through phrases like "never reckless, never crazy," implying that her wild side is hidden beneath the surface.
Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus unveils the duality of this woman’s character. She is "pretty much picture-perfect to a T," but Urban warns that "sugar like that's a dangerous kinda sweet." Her exterior may be angelic during the week, but the excitement lies in her untamed side, which comes out in full force after dark.
Chorus
The chorus celebrates the woman’s wild side as she "shuts the sun down" and "lights up all of downtown." Her presence on the dance floor is magnetic and "dangerous," drawing attention wherever she goes. Urban emphasizes the contrast between her refined daytime persona and her free-spirited, untamed night persona. The term "Alabamalicious" adds a fun, playful twist, reflecting her Southern roots with an explosive energy that’s compared to a "supernova."
Verse 2
In the second verse, Urban paints a vivid picture of her nighttime persona: "Wildside, oh my, burnin' me up like a wildfire." The imagery suggests that when she lets loose, she’s unstoppable—radiating heat and excitement. The line "she ditches that laid-back, spends a little time off the train tracks" captures the sense of her stepping away from the expected and embracing her adventurous side. Despite her usual "refined" nature, by the time Friday night rolls around, she’s ready to let go of her inhibitions.
Pre-Chorus (Reprise)
The reprise of the pre-chorus emphasizes the juxtaposition between her two sides, as Urban highlights how she’s "Little Miss Angel most days of the week," yet transforms into a "dangerous kinda sweet" by the weekend. This repeated section reinforces the excitement and unpredictability that make her character so compelling.
Chorus (Reprise)
The chorus returns, amplifying the energy as Urban describes her as a "devil on the dance floor" and warns that "it takes a man to handle" her wild nature. The line "the party's never over" speaks to her endless energy, reinforcing her vibrant, unstoppable spirit that keeps the night alive.
Outro
In the outro, Urban repeatedly celebrates her "wildside," bringing the song to a close with a final burst of energy. The playful repetition and high-energy instrumentation reflect the never-ending excitement she brings, leaving the listener with the sense that her party spirit is unstoppable.
Song Theme
The theme of "WILDSIDE" centers on the idea of duality—balancing refinement and wildness. Urban explores the excitement and unpredictability that come with letting loose and embracing one’s uninhibited side. The song celebrates the complexities of personality, where someone can be both polished and free-spirited, embodying both restraint and wild abandon. The imagery of night, fire, and supernovas emphasizes the energy and allure of embracing this carefree side, making "WILDSIDE" a fun anthem for those who love to let loose after a long week.
Technical an*lysis
"WILDSIDE" combines Urban’s signature country rock sound with upbeat, electrifying instrumentation. The electric guitar riffs, banjo, and driving drums give the song a high-energy, danceable quality. The production by Keith Urban and Dann Huff creates a layered, textured sound that balances the playful nature of the lyrics with the excitement of the music. The repeated chorus and rhythmic momentum keep the song moving forward, ensuring it maintains an infectious energy throughout. Background vocals and harmonies add depth, while Urban’s electric guitar solos provide a touch of rock edge to the country foundation.
Impact and Reception
"WILDSIDE" is poised to be a high-energy crowd-pleaser, with its catchy chorus and vibrant production likely to make it a favorite at live shows. Its playful lyrics and fun, upbeat vibe reflect a side of Urban that fans love—one that celebrates living in the moment and letting loose. The track's universal appeal, combined with its Southern charm, is likely to resonate with a wide audience, especially those who enjoy Urban’s blend of country and rock influences.
Artist
Keith Urban has consistently blended country, rock, and pop influences to create a sound that is both accessible and innovative. Known for his energetic live performances and relatable storytelling, Urban’s ability to explore themes of love, freedom, and fun in tracks like "WILDSIDE" continues to showcase his versatility as an artist. This song highlights his skill in balancing country tradition with modern, upbeat production.