A Soundtrack to a Love Story: The Songs Keith Urban Wrote for Nicole Kidman
Music has a way of telling our stories, and for a songwriter like Keith Urban, his biggest muse was often his wife, Nicole Kidman. Their nearly two-decade-long romance was the stuff of Hollywood legend, a whirlwind of red carpets, family life, and unwavering support.
While their journey together has now come to an end, the music it inspired remains. These songs serve as a beautiful, public diary of their love, capturing everything from the early days of doubt to the comfortable intimacy of a long-term partnership. Let’s take a look back at the soundtrack of Keith and Nicole’s iconic relationship.
Building a Foundation on Love and Trust
Every great love story has a beginning, and for Keith and Nicole, the early years were about finding their footing and holding on tight. The songs from this era reflect a deep sense of gratitude and the promise of a better future.
Thank You for a Second Chance
Right after they married in 2006, Nicole was instrumental in Keith’s journey to sobriety. His music quickly reflected how much her belief in him meant. On his album Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing, he gave us two powerful songs:
- ‘Got It Right This Time’ is a heartfelt thank you to a woman who saw the best in him. With lyrics about her making him a “better man,” it’s a clear tribute to the stabilizing force she was in his life.
- ‘Once In A Lifetime’ was his reassurance to a nervous Nicole before they walked down the aisle. He acknowledged her fears but made a powerful promise to bet on their love, no matter what.
A few years later, the aptly titled ‘Thank You’ from his 2009 album continued this theme, celebrating the woman who found him when he was lost and to whom he felt he owed everything.
Celebrating a Life Built Together
As their marriage grew, so did their family, with the arrivals of daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. Keith’s songwriting shifted to celebrate the beautiful life they had created, a life that meant more than any fame or fortune.
More Than Just Fast Cars and Guitars
The 2010 song ‘Without You’ is a perfect snapshot of this chapter. Though he didn’t write it, Keith said it was his life story captured in a song. It talks about how the traveling, the singing, and the “fast cars, the guitars” would all be meaningless without the love he shared with Nicole and their family.
Then came ‘The Fighter’ in 2016, a duet with Carrie Underwood. Keith shared that this song was inspired by a conversation he had with Nicole early on. It’s a call-and-response promise to protect and support each other through anything, a vow to be the “fighter” when times get tough. Who can forget their adorable viral video singing it together in the car?
Getting a Little More Personal
As they became more comfortable in their life together, Keith’s music got even more personal—and sometimes, a little racy.
One of his most talked-about songs is ‘Gemini’ from 2018. When a co-writer asked him to simply describe Nicole, the result was a fun, steamy, and refreshingly honest portrait of his wife. He famously described her as a “maniac in bed but a brainiac in her head,” a lyric Nicole later said she found embarrassing but sweet.
His 2020 song, ‘Better Than I Am,’ offered a more mature reflection. It’s a raw and honest look at his own imperfections and a tribute to how Nicole’s love inspired him to be the best version of himself.
These songs are more than just hits; they’re time capsules of a great love affair. Though the story has closed a chapter, the music ensures their incredible romance will never be forgotten.
What’s your favorite song Keith Urban wrote about Nicole? Share your thoughts in the comments below