Better Off
Art of Dying Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Why do I still want to answer every time you call
I've got to try to cut out this cancer
Before it gets too strong

I'm better off
Better off without you
I'm better off
Better off without you
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
I'm better off
Better off without you

Killing it will end the torture
But never stop the pain
What kind of idiot makes a fortune
Just to piss it all away

It's hard to forgive when you can't forget
And now somehow I despise the day that we met
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
I used to think it would end up being me and you
I never thought I'd ever leave you for someone new




I'm better off
Better off without you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Art of Dying's song Better Off depict the singer's struggle to let go of a toxic relationship that has caused him nothing but pain. The opening lines suggest that the person addressed in the song is still trying to keep in touch with the singer, and he realizes he needs to cut off all contact with them to remove the metaphorical cancer from his life before it becomes too powerful. The chorus of the song acts as a mantra for the singer, as he repeats that he is better off without the person and acknowledges that he never thought they would lie to him.


The second verse of the song portrays the singer's inner conflict between wanting to get rid of the person responsible for his misery but also feeling the need to hold onto them. He admits that killing the relationship may put an end to the suffering, but it would not heal the damage that was already done. The lyrics also suggest that the person responsible for the singer's pain might be someone who had inherited money but never appreciated it. The lines, "What kind of idiot makes a fortune just to piss it all away," indicates how the person had everything but still managed to lose it all through their actions.


In conclusion, Art of Dying's Better Off is a song about the damaging effects of being in a toxic relationship. The lyrics portray the singer's struggle to cut off all ties with someone who has caused him pain and their conflict between wanting to let go of this person but also holding onto them. The song's central message is that it is not easy to forgive someone who has caused significant pain, but distancing oneself from them may be the best way to move forward.



Line by Line Meaning

Why do I still want to answer every time you call
Despite the abuse and pain caused by the caller, the singer still has an emotional attachment which they struggle to sever.


I've got to try to cut out this cancer
The singer acknowledges the toxic nature of the relationship and feels a pressing need to eliminate it before it causes irreversible harm.


Before it gets too strong
The singer fears that if they do not sever this relationship soon, it will become too powerful for them to control and will cause permanent damage.


I'm better off
The artist recognizes that while painful, their decision to end the relationship is ultimately for the better.


Better off without you
The artist affirms their decision to end the unhealthy relationship and declares with confidence that they are now better off without their former partner.


I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
The singer expresses shock and disappointment at their partner's untruthful behavior, which ultimately led to the relationship's demise.


Killing it will end the torture
While ending the relationship may be difficult, the singer acknowledges that it will ultimately bring an end to their emotional pain and suffering.


But never stop the pain
Despite ending the relationship, the artist understands that they will still have to grapple with the aftermath and consequences of their former partner's toxic behavior.


What kind of idiot makes a fortune
The artist expresses their disbelief at those who acquire wealth but then squander it through their own poor choices and actions.


Just to piss it all away
The artist laments at those who carelessly waste their hard-earned fortune instead of using it for good or responsible purposes.


It's hard to forgive when you can't forget
The singer emphasizes the inherent difficulty in forgiving someone who has caused deep emotional wounds that continue to linger and haunt them.


And now somehow I despise the day that we met
The emotional pain caused by their former partner has caused the artist to view the entire relationship with disdain, even retroactively wishing that they had never met their ex at all.


I used to think it would end up being me and you
The singer reflects on their prior optimism about the relationship and how that hope has now been irreparably damaged.


I never thought I'd ever leave you for someone new
The singer never anticipated that their former partner's actions would lead to the end of the relationship and the possibility of finding someone else.


I'm better off
The singer reiterates that their decision to end the relationship was ultimately for the better.


Better off without you
The artist reinforces their decision to end the relationship and affirms that they are happier and more fulfilled without their toxic former partner.




Contributed by Hailey H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@sallyc3227

ART OF DYING (2011) – BETTER OFF (Traducción)
Why do I still want to answer every time you call
¿Por qué aún quiero contestar cada vez que llamas?
I've got to try to cut out this cancer before it gets too strong
Tengo que tratar de eliminar este cáncer antes de que se vuelva demasiado fuerte
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
Nunca creí que me mentirías de la manera en la que lo haces
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
Killing it will end the torture but never stop the pain
Matándolo acabará la tortura pero el dolor nunca parará
What kind of idiot makes a fortune just to piss it all away
Que clase de idiota hace una fortuna arruinándolo todo
It's hard to forgive when you can't forget
Es difícil perdonar cuando no puedes olvidar
And now somehow I despise the day that we met
Y ahora de alguna manera desprecio el día que nos conocimos
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
Nunca creí que me mentirías de la manera en la que lo haces
I used to think it would end up being me and you
Solía creer que acabaríamos siendo tú y yo
I never thought I'd ever leave you for someone new
Nunca pensé siquiera que te dejaría por otra persona
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti



All comments from YouTube:

@morticiaaddams7227

Make more music please you have the sound most people want in a band

@ginapetolicchio2684

Wow really good song why didn't this end up on the album

@rosecandelario7602

Awesome and in some cases true. Love it

@sallyc3227

ART OF DYING (2011) – BETTER OFF (Traducción)
Why do I still want to answer every time you call
¿Por qué aún quiero contestar cada vez que llamas?
I've got to try to cut out this cancer before it gets too strong
Tengo que tratar de eliminar este cáncer antes de que se vuelva demasiado fuerte
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
Nunca creí que me mentirías de la manera en la que lo haces
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti
Killing it will end the torture but never stop the pain
Matándolo acabará la tortura pero el dolor nunca parará
What kind of idiot makes a fortune just to piss it all away
Que clase de idiota hace una fortuna arruinándolo todo
It's hard to forgive when you can't forget
Es difícil perdonar cuando no puedes olvidar
And now somehow I despise the day that we met
Y ahora de alguna manera desprecio el día que nos conocimos
I never thought that you'd lie to me the way you do
Nunca creí que me mentirías de la manera en la que lo haces
I used to think it would end up being me and you
Solía creer que acabaríamos siendo tú y yo
I never thought I'd ever leave you for someone new
Nunca pensé siquiera que te dejaría por otra persona
I'm better off better off without you
Estoy mejor, mejor, sin ti

@katyhikson921

love this!

@VarietyMusicLover

LOVE IT thx :D

@ThePykro

The bassist is cousin of Adam Gontier (Former singer of TDG) In case you didn't know guys.....

@FatDadProject

Why we can't find these kinds of songs anymore.

@farcry18th

Is it just me or do they sound extremely similar to Three Days Grace? Not so much the song but the guys voice :o

@chelitheguitarist

Those sound like Adam’s screams 100%

More Comments

More Versions