Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s romantic 2016 duet captivated fans, but few knew the song’s lyrics were inspired by an intimate conversation Urban had with his wife, Nicole Kidman.
By 2016, Urban had already cemented his status as a country superstar, with multiple chart-topping albums. Underwood, likewise, was a powerhouse in contemporary country music. Therefore, their duet was highly anticipated.
“The Fighter” was a song off Urban’s Ripcord album. Released on May 6, 2016, the LP would go to the top spot in the United States, Canada, and Australia, making it the second time the singer/songwriter topped the charts in those countries during his album’s debut week, according to The Boot.
Ripcord spawned the Underwood duet, which rose to the number 11 spot on the country music charts, per Billboard. However, at the time of the song’s release, many fans were unaware that its lyrics originated from a private conversation Urban had with Kidman.
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Keith Urban said ‘The Fighter’ was about wanting to ‘heal someone’
To Billboard, Keith Urban discussed the song’s inspiration. The words he and Nicole Kidman shared shaped the lyrics.
“It’s all from a conversation my wife and I had early on in our relationship, that when things get tough, I need to hold her tighter and just try to take care of her,” Urban explained. “The song is about wanting to heal somebody, wanting to take care of somebody, wanting to protect somebody. It’s really like a vow in so many ways.”
He continued, “I thought I’d love to write a duet that is more of the girl asking something and the guy answering. I like that back and forward, a little bit like ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ or ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’ — really more of a conversation.”
American Songwriter said in the song Urban, acting as “a fighter and protector went beyond a song metaphor. Yes, [Urban and Kidman] are famous, but they are people, too, and keeping the vultures at bay added layers of uncertainty to the new relationship.”
Keith Urban’s love song to Nicole Kidman, ‘The Fighter’
The lyrics of Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood’s rocking country duet, “The Fighter,” are about two people committing to each other and facing life’s struggles as a united front. The song is romantic, uplifting, and motivational.
(lyrics per Genius)
[Verse 1: Keith Urban]
I know he hurt you
Made you scared of love, too scared to love
He didn’t deserve you
‘Cause your precious heart is a precious heart
He didn’t know what he had and I thank God, oh
And it’s gonna take just a little time
But you’re gonna see that I was born to love you
[Chorus: Urban, Carrie Underwood]
What if I fall?
I won’t let you fall
What if I cry?
I’ll never make you cry
And if I get scared?
I’ll hold you tighter
When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter
What if I fall?
I won’t let you fall
What if I cry?
I promise I’ll never make you cry
And if I get scared?
I’ll hold you tighter
When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter
[Verse 2: Urban]
Look in the mirror
You’re beautiful, so beautiful
I’m here to remind you
You’re my only one, let me be the one
To heal all the pain that he put you through
With love like you never knew
Just let me show you