Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard, Undivided | Track Review 🎵

Tim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard have good intent on “Undivided,” though fall short of enacting progressive change.

“We’ve been hateful long enough / Let the Good Lord reunite / ‘Til this country that we love’s / Undivided.” 🎙 Tim McGraw and 🎙 Tyler Hubbard (of 🎙 Florida Georgia Line fame) definitely have a point. You definitely can’t question the thoughtful, tuneful chorus of their collaborative single, 🎵 “Undivided.” It definitely comes from a good, unifying place, though it fails to change an extremely polarized nation.

“Undivided” is meant to give the feels – incite being better, more thoughtful people.  Fair enough. Supported by rhythmic production work, both McGraw and Hubbard have a respectable canvas to work with.  McGraw ‘draws first blood,’ imparting a tale of Billy who’s been bullied and struggles to fit in. He ultimately states, “I wish that I’d have been the friend / That Billy never knew.” Yeah, we all know a Billy, and should all be regretful we weren’t supportive as we should’ve been.  On the second verse, Hubbard contrasts McGraw with a twang heavy approach.  If you enjoy FGL, well, you’re probably fine with this.  Personally, the twang itself is divisive at best, or at the least, heavy-handed.  Still, Hubbard is ‘woke’ to some degree on the lyric, “Why’s it gotta be all white or all black? / And when we gon’ learn to try on someone’s shoes sometimes.”

Both musicians blend nicely on second chorus – McGraw handled the first by himself.  Furthermore, beyond the centerpiece, I enjoy Hubbard’s vocals on the bridge, as he sings in his upper register.  McGraw joins him on the second half.  On the final chorus, there are moments both artists sing separately, but eventually, join forces – “Undivided” you know! There’s also an outro, which borrows from Hubbard’s second verse.  

Final Thoughts 💭

So, how does “Undivided” stack up ultimately? As aforementioned, it comes from a good place on paper.  That said, neither McGraw nor Hubbard actually provide the progressive change needed to be undivided. It’s doubtful a song could do so to be totally honest.  Far too often, songs like these have the best intentions, but end up being vague.  That’s what happens here. The right idea but lacking in detail. Give McGraw and Hubbard some credit but, there is merely ‘okay’ at best.

🎙 Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard • 🎵 “Undivided” • 🏷 McGraw Music / Big Machine • 🗓 1.13.21

[📷: McGraw Music / Big Machine]