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Orville Peck You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) Meaning and Review featuring Margo Price

Updated: Aug 12


Opening Atmosphere and Vocal Dynamic:

Orville Peck and Margo Price's duet "You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (and I Want a Divorce)" is a fiery and catchy country anthem about a relationship gone sour. The song's title alone sets the tone for the lyrical showdown that ensues, filled with witty barbs and scathing insults. The song opens with a classic country twang, driven by acoustic guitars and Price's alluring vocals. The call-and-response structure between Peck and Price creates a dynamic tension that builds throughout the song.


Relatable Lyrics and Witty Delivery:

Their voices intertwine, trading barbs and accusations, each verse escalating the conflict. The relatable lyrics about fading love and unfulfilled promises strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the frustrations of a failing relationship. Peck and Price's vocal delivery is impeccable. Their voices drip with sarcasm and disdain, adding an extra layer of depth to the already potent lyrics. The clever wordplay and clever insults are both humorous and biting, making the song an enjoyable and cathartic listening experience.



Production and Overall Impression:

The production is simple yet effective, allowing the vocal performances and lyrics to take center stage. The stripped-down instrumentation emphasizes the raw emotion of the song, creating an intimate and engaging atmosphere.


"You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (and I Want a Divorce)" is a standout track on "Stampede." It's a witty, catchy, and relatable song that perfectly captures the frustrations of a relationship on the rocks. Peck and Price's chemistry is undeniable, and their vocal performances are nothing short of stellar. This duet is a must-listen for fans of country music and anyone who has ever wanted to tell their partner exactly how they feel.



Listen to Orville Peck You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) featuring Margo Price



Orville Peck You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) Lyrics featuring Margo Price Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of "You're an Asshole, I Can't Stand You (and I Want a Divorce)" featuring Margo Price is a raw and unapologetic expression of the frustration, resentment, and desire for liberation that can arise from a failing relationship. The song's lyrics capture the bitterness, humor, and cathartic release of acknowledging a partner's shortcomings and ultimately choosing to walk away. Through witty wordplay and a dynamic call-and-response structure, the song paints a vivid picture of a relationship that has reached its breaking point, where both parties are ready to move on, even if it means hurling a few well-aimed insults along the way.



Verse 1: Growing Distance and Unspoken Resentment

The opening lines, "I woke up this morning / In our king-size bed / Everyday you get further away," immediately establish a sense of distance and disconnect within the relationship. Despite sharing a bed, the emotional gap between the two is widening. The line "The silence is louder / Than once you [?]" suggests unspoken resentment and a breakdown in communication, with the unheard words carrying more weight than any spoken argument.


Pre-Chorus 1: Accusation of Emotional Unfaithfulness

The pre-chorus, "You're goin' down on love / And everybody knows," implies that the partner is emotionally distant or unfaithful. The phrase "Ride the high-country wherever you go" suggests a reckless disregard for the relationship and a prioritization of personal freedom.


Chorus: Declaration of Independence and Divorce

The chorus is a blunt and cathartic declaration of the speaker's feelings: "Get back in the saddle / Ride away on your horse / You're an asshole, I can't stand you / And I want a divorce." These lines leave no room for ambiguity, expressing a clear desire to end the relationship and move on.



Verse 2: Fading Hope and Public Humiliation

The second verse paints a picture of a stagnant life in a "one-light town" with fading hope. The line "You borrow you freedom / On the back of the dawn" suggests that the partner's pursuit of personal freedom comes at the expense of the speaker's happiness. The speaker feels like a "rodeo clown," humiliated and made a fool of by the partner's actions.


Pre-Chorus 2: Confirmation of Betrayal and Final Goodbye

The second pre-chorus reinforces the theme of betrayal: "You're goin' out on me / And everybody knows." The line "You come out smelling like a rose" implies that the partner is escaping the consequences of their actions unscathed. The speaker's final plea, "Tell me goodbye / Grab hold of the reins," is a mix of resignation and a demand for closure.


Spoken Interlude: Petty Arguments and Escalating Insults

The spoken interlude is a hilarious and relatable exchange of petty insults, highlighting the absurdity and triviality of the arguments that often arise in strained relationships. The insults range from the absurd (spelling bee victory) to the personal (appearance). This interlude adds a touch of humor to the song while underscoring the growing animosity between the two.


Chorus (repeated): Reiteration of Resentment and Desire for Separation

The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the speaker's unwavering resolve to end the relationship. It's a final declaration of independence and a refusal to tolerate the partner's behavior any longer.



Orville Peck You’re an Asshole, I Can’t Stand You (and I Want a Divorce) Lyrics featuring Margo Price

[Verse 1]

I woke up this morning

In our king-size bed

Everyday you get further away


The silence is louder

Then once you [?]

But I hear the words you can't say


[Pre-Chorus]

You're goin' down on love

And everybody knows

Ride the high-country wherever you go

If you want a fire, grab hold of the reigns


[Chorus]

Get back in the saddle

Ride away on your horse

You're an asshole, I can't stand you

And I want a divorce


[Verse 2]

The light is fading

And the day is gone

Nothin' much left in this one-light town


You borrow you freedom

On the back of the dawn

You're making me look like a rodeo clown


[Pre-Chorus]

You're goin' out on me

And everybody knows

You come out smelling like a rose

Tell me goodbye

Grab hold of the reigns


[Spoken]

Look, I don't care it was forty years ago when you won the high school spelling bee--

:scoff: What are you even talking about?

Not everybody can spell "hippopotamus", and that's at least something you can hang on to

I can't even understand you with that thing on your face!

Margo, you sure do take the "O" out of "country"

And you put the "L" in stupid


[Chorus]

Get back in the saddle

Ride away on your horse

You're an asshole, I can't stand you

And I want a divorce


Get back in the saddle

Ride away on your horse

You're an asshole, I can't stand you

And I want a divorce



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