Like many bands in the then-burgeoning alt-rock movement of the mid-'90s, Better Than Ezra enjoyed their period of greatest chart success immediately following their debut major-label release (Deluxe), which spawned their highest-charting hits. At least commercially (and in terms of mainstream radio play), the band has experienced slightly diminishing returns with each successive release; however, unlike the majority of their contemporaries, Better Than Ezra's extremely loyal fan base has kept the group from dropping off of the musical map. Ezra's followers, who refer to themselves as Ezralites, have never cared whether radio stations play the band or not--in fact, many fans follow the band religiously, attending scores of their performances. It is Ezra's loyal fans and a relentless touring schedule which has allowed them to continue to produce new music, remain extremely viable in the music world, and out-live their projected shelf life. Additionally, Better Than Ezra's independence and survival in a business that has chewed up and spat out many bands who they used to jockey for chart position seems to indicate that the band will be around to satisfy their fans' rapacious appetite for their music for many years to come.
In addition to vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin from Monroe, Louisiana, the current members of Better Than Ezra are bass guitar player Tom Drummond and drummer Travis McNabb. Original drummer, Cary Bonnecaze, left the band after the release of Deluxe. Original lead guitarist, Joel Rundell, committed suicide in 1990. Multi-Instrumentalist James Arthur Payne also from Monroe, Louisiana tours with the band, fills in vocal, keyboard, guitar, and harmonica parts, and is a fan favorite.
Who or what Ezra might be is a mystery that the band members have no interest in clearing up. Drummond once told a reporter that the meaning of the band's name is "so lame you wouldn't even want to print it." However, it has also been said that the name came into being when the then nameless band entered a battle of the bands in competition with a group named Ezra. Needing a name to register they simply said that they were better.
In 2005, Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry used the band's song "Juicy" as the background music for the second season of the show's promotional advertisement.
The band is slated to headline A Taste of Fort Collins in Fort Collins, Colorado.
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In 2009 there were line-up changes and a new album released. Drummer Travis McNabb left to tour with the Country music group Sugarland. The split was friendly and McNabb still serves on the Ezra charitable organizations. McNabb was replaced by Michael Jerome as touring and ?future? drummer, with Blair Sinta filling in on parts of the album Paper Empire and 2 dates of the bands summer 2009 concert tour.
Travis McNabb played his last show with Ezra on Feb. 15, 2009 in Metairie, Louisiana.
Paper Empire was released on May 12, 2009.
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Good
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
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Hidden behind the window and the door
Searching for signs of life
But there's nobody home
Well, maybe I'm just too sure
Or maybe I'm just too frightened by the sound of it
Pieces of note fall down, but the letter said
Aha, it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah-ah-aha it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah, good good good good good
Sitting around the house
Watching the sun trac shadows on the floor
Searching for signs of life
But there's nobody home
Well, maybe I'll call or I'll write you a letter
Now maybe we'll see on the fourth of July
But I'm not too sure, and I'm not too proud
Well I'm not sure, and I'm not too proud to say
Aha, it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah-ah-aha it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah, so good
Aha, it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah-ah-aha it was good
Living with you, aha, it was good
Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah
Yeah, you were so good
Yeah, you were so good
(Yeah, that's right)
The lyrics of Better Than Ezra's song "Good" speaks of the longing and the memories of a past relationship that has ended. The first stanza of the song describes how the singer is searching for signs of life around the house, but can't find anyone. The use of the window and the door as imagery suggests the concept of being trapped and locked out, unable to enter and be with the one he loves. He then contemplates the reason for the breakup, questioning whether he was too sure or too frightened to let the relationship continue. The letter that he received later on, reminds him of the good times they had together.
The next stanza further describes the singer's feeling of loneliness, as he watches the sun casting shadows on the floor. He then contemplates on whether he wants to reconnect with his past love, to write a letter or to call her. He then admits that he's not too sure or too proud to do so. The repeated chorus "Aha, it was good, Living with you, aha, it was good" emphasizes the positive memories of the past relationship and not forgetting the good times they had together.
Overall, the song speaks of the universal feeling of nostalgia for a past relationship and the longing to go back to those happy times. It also touches upon the concept of being trapped and locked away, unable to reconnect with the one you desire.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking around the house
The singer is searching aimlessly.
Hidden behind the window and the door
The singer is trying to find life or something to bring them comfort.
Searching for signs of life
The singer is desperate for life or something to fill their void of sadness.
But there's nobody home
The artist can't find anything to bring them comfort or fill their void.
Well, maybe I'm just too sure
The artist is uncertain about their feelings.
Or maybe I'm just too frightened by the sound of it
The singer is scared of the truth about their situation.
Pieces of note fall down, but the letter said
The singer received a letter which caused their world to crumble.
Aha, it was good
The artist acknowledges that it was once good when they were together.
Living with you, aha, it was good
The artist realizes that their happiness correlated with their significant other.
Ah-ah-ah-ah-aha it was good
The artist laments that their happiness is now gone.
Living with you, aha, it was good
The singer reminisces again how happiness was lost due to their separation.
Ah-ah-ah, good good good good good
The artist wishes that good times last forever.
Watching the sun trace shadows on the floor
The singer is feeling empty by the mundane activity in their environment.
Maybe I'll call or I'll write you a letter
The singer is thinking of ways to connect back with their significant other.
Now maybe we'll see on the fourth of July
The singer is thinking of a day where they may meet again.
But I'm not too sure, and I'm not too proud
The artist finds it difficult to reach out to their ex.
Well I'm not sure, and I'm not too proud to say
The artist admits that they are struggling with their emotions.
Ah-ah-ah, so good
The singer reaffirms that it was once so good when they were together.
Yeah, you were so good
The singer praises their significant other for being an important part of their life.
Yeah, you were so good
The artist repeats their appreciation for their ex.
(Yeah, that's right)
The artist strongly believes their sentiment.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind