Ernest Keith Smith was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He took an interest in hip hop music at an early age, citing the Space Jam soundtrack and a compact disc of Eminem songs given to him by a friend as his main influences. At age 19, he suffered a heart attack brought on by a viral infection, and developed a drug addiction while in college playing JUCO baseball. After recovering, he moved back to Nashville and began writing and recording songs, in the Bro Country style with Matt Royer, the brother of his now wife, who owned a recording studio. This association led to him co-writing the title track of Florida Georgia Line's 2016 album Dig Your Roots. The following year, recording under the mononym Ernest, he began to cut country rap singles: "Dopeman" and "Bad Boy".
In addition, Ernest began writing songs for Chris Lane and Jake Owen. This led to him signing a recording contract with Big Loud, the label to which both Owen and Lane are signed, in 2019. Concurrently, he began touring with Lane and Mason Ramsey later in the year. Ernest had further success as a songwriter in 2020 with Lane's "Big, Big Plans", Morgan Wallen's "More Than My Hometown", and Sam Hunt's "Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90s". He also released his first single for Big Loud, titled "Cheers". This was followed in 2021 by two more singles; the first was "American Rust", issued in June. It was followed in December by "Flower Shops", a duet with Wallen.
Ernest also host his own podcast titled Just Being Ernest, in which he talks to other musicians about the music industry. The podcast first started April 19, 2020.
What It's Come To
Ernest Lyrics
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Dancin' in the bedroom light
Maybe it's the thought of gettin' all caught up
Like we did last night
And oh this driveway's just a mile away
From the highway that you're on
And usually, I'd be on my way
But girl, this time's too far gone
If this is what it's come to
Just a two-lane tail light
Getaway goodbye town
All the liquor I've run through
Down to the bottom of my last bottle of Crown
Ain't that I never loved you
Good Lord knows I did and how hard we tried
But it is what it is, it was what it was
We do what we do and it does what it does
If this is what it's come to
Well, cigarette smoke, drinks, neon lights
And all the cliché signs
But you're good and gone girl, tell me if I'm wrong
But maybe I just might
Pour me up a double shot, chase it with a cold beer
Baby, and stay here in this bar
No, there ain't no point in leavin' now
'Cause it's gone way too far
This is what it's come to
Just a two-lane taillight
Getaway goodbye town
All the liquor I've run through
Down to the bottom of my last bottle of Crown
Ain't that I never loved you
Good Lord knows I did and how hard we tried
But it is what it is, it was what it was
We do what we do and it does what it does
If this is what it's come to
Cut ties, nothing we can undo
Just reminds me of when
We were kickin' up dirt dust, feet laid up on the dash
And your hand high-fiving the wind
If this is what it's come to (ooh)
If this is what it's come to, yeah (ooh)
If this is what it's come to
Just a two-lane taillight
Getaway goodbye town
All the liquor I've run through
Down to the bottom of my last bottle of Crown
Ain't that I never loved you
Good Lord knows I did and how hard we tried
But it is what it is, it was what it was
We do what we do and it does what it does
If this is what it's come to
In "What It's Come To," Ernest is grappling with the end of a relationship. He reflects on the moments and memories that led to this point, while also recognizing that it's time to move on. He sings about the shadows on the wall and how they remind him of happier times spent with his significant other. He realizes that they won't be able to recapture those moments and are now just two cars passing in the night.
The songwriter then describes the cliché signs - cigarette smoke, drinks, neon lights - that surround him as he tries to escape the pain of the break-up. He orders a drink and contemplates staying at the bar, but deep down, he knows that he needs to face what's ahead of him. The lyrics ultimately acknowledge that the relationship is over, that they did their best, and that it's time to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe it's the shadows on that wall that I'm looking at
Dancin' in the bedroom light
The shadows on the bedroom wall are a reminder of the good times the singer had with his partner.
Maybe it's the thought of gettin' all caught up
Like we did last night
The singer is reminiscing about the night spent with his partner, where they had a good time getting lost in each other.
And oh this driveway's just a mile away
From the highway that you're on
And usually, I'd be on my way
But girl, this time's too far gone
Usually, the singer would leave after a night spent together, but this time he feels like he can't leave because their relationship is beyond repair.
Well, cigarette smoke, drinks, neon lights
And all the cliché signs
But you're good and gone girl, tell me if I'm wrong
But maybe I just might
The typical bar scene is a reminder of his partner, and the singer can't resist staying and drinking despite the situation.
Pour me up a double shot, chase it with a cold beer
Baby, and stay here in this bar
No, there ain't no point in leavin' now
'Cause it's gone way too far
The singer is trying to numb his pain with alcohol, and he knows that leaving won't change anything.
Cut ties, nothing we can undo
Just reminds me of when
We were kickin' up dirt dust, feet laid up on the dash
And your hand high-fiving the wind
The singer knows that their relationship is over, and reflecting on the good times only makes it harder to let go.
If this is what it's come to
Just a two-lane taillight
Getaway goodbye town
All the liquor I've run through
Down to the bottom of my last bottle of Crown
Ain't that I never loved you
Good Lord knows I did and how hard we tried
But it is what it is, it was what it was
We do what we do and it does what it does
If this is what it's come to
The singer has come to terms with their relationship being over, despite how much he loved his partner and the effort they both put in. He acknowledges that sometimes, things just end and there's nothing more to be done.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Ernest Keith Smith, Lily Rose, Ryan Vojtesak
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stan8252
If your listening to this, you’ve got a hell of an ear for music 😌
@culverp1138
This has been on repeat the past several days. Can’t wait for the album!
@daverinker4086
I've been in to you since you were spitting bars love the new stuff. Give it no time you and Morgan and jelly will take over the radio. Much love brother
@LakesideCovers
Ernest Morgan and Hardy*
@daverinker4086
Morgan and jelly already all over the radio in wv. I've requested Ernest a few times now and haven't gotten it. If we all keep requesting his songs he will be on there next.
@mosbyjessica
Ok but I totally buy a ticket for Ernest, Morgan and Jelly Roll.
@stephaniemartins5881
André Martins Fachada already took over the radio. You just never knew his name.
@heatherdillon6772
This here is the WinnERN 🏆
@tjengic
This song is so good. My favorite on album.
@dandude1706
“But it is what is ISSsss “ love that part