If I Didnt Know Better is a song written by John Paul White and Arum Rae and performed by Scarlett O'Connor and Gunnar Scott in the Season One premiere.
In the show, this song was written by Scarlett as a poem and it was Gunnar who convinced her to turn it into a song. So she wrote the lyrics and Gunnar made the melody. They first performed this song at the Bluebird during the songwriter's night.
It is also performed by them in the Season Four episode Baby Come Home as Layla watches a video of herself and Avery singing together when he arrives and kisses her while Juliette texts when Emily arrives with Cadence.
It is included on The Music of Nashville (Season 1, Volume 1).
Lyrics[]
Scarlett:
If I didn’t know better, I’d hang my hat right there
If I didn’t know better, I’d follow you up the stairs
Scarlett and Gunnar:
Stop saying those sweet things
You know I like to hear
The horns are blowing louder
The bailiffs strolling near
Why do I keep drinking
Wasting my time on you
If I didn’t know better
Well dammit I do
Gunnar:
There’s a hole in what you’re saying
I can plainly see
You've a lover that’s waiting
But baby you're right here with me
Scarlett:
Ooh, you might as well be the devil
Keeping me out past three
Gunnar:
Well, you’re the one with that apple
So baby you can’t blame me
Why don’t you keep drinking
Give me one night with you
Scarlett:
If I didn’t know better
Well dammit I do
Scarlett and Gunnar:
Why do I keep drinking
Wasting my time on you
If I didn’t know better
Scarlett:
Well dammit, I do
Oh baby I do
Gunnar:
You’re right here with me
Scarlett:
Sweet daddy you know I do