Behind the Meaning of Kacey Musgraves’ Acceptance Anthem, “Cup of Tea”

The song of acceptance Kacey Musgraves is most known for is “Follow Your Arrow.” However, there is another track that is equally as inspiring: “Cup of Tea.” Uncover the meaning behind this track, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Kacey Musgraves’ Acceptance Anthem, “Cup of Tea”

You can’t please everyone. It’s a familiar phrase that never fails to ring true. Musgraves’ “Cup of Tea” is one long ode to that idea.

In the opening verse, Musgraves lists ways someone could be judged. From second hand clothes to sexual exploits, Musgraves offers some advice: You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea so you might a well be whoever you want to be.

Maybe your jacket is a hand-me-down

Maybe you slept with half of your hometown

In a world of squares, maybe you’re just round

You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea

Some like it bitter, some like it sweet

Nobody’s everybody’s favorite

So you might as well just make it how you please

‘Cause you can’t be everybody’s cup of tea

She likens people’s preferences in life to the way they make their tea. It’s the perfect metaphor to make something that often seems like a weighty problem very light. Even if you still don’t know just who you are, Musgraves offers assuage to follow your own journey.

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Maybe you’re working in a hotel bar

Maybe you’re still driving your high school car

Maybe you still don’t know just who you are

You can’t be everybody’s cup of tea

Some like it bitter, some like it sweet

Nobody’s everybody’s favorite

So you might as well just make it how you please

Maybe you married the wrong person first

Maybe your hair’s way too long

Your sister’s in jail or maybe you failed

Out of college, but hey, life goes on

We’ve all got the right to be wrong

The bridge contains some of Musgraves’ most poignant lyrics: We’ve all got the right to be wrong. All of us fall short. All of us stumble and that’s okay. If you need a reminder of that, revisit this track, below.

‘Cause you can’t be everybody’s cup of tea

Some like it black, some like it green

Nobody’s everybody’s favorite

So you might as well just make it how you please

(Photo by Steve Galli/Shutterstock)