Better Off Dead
B.Withers Lyrics
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so she just took the kids and went.
You see, I've got a drinkin' problem,
all the money that we had I spent.
Now I must die by my own hand
'cause I'm not man enough to live alone.
Hey, hey, she's better off without me
Ah, she gave the most, took the least,
she even had the priest come to our home.
And I cried and prayed and promised
that I'd leave the stuff alone.
Now I must leave what I can't face,
I hope she finds the kids a happy home.
Hey, hey she's better off without me
and I'm better off dead now that she's gone.
She used to call her friend and cry,
then the man cut off the telephone.
She'd sit and cry while I went out
and pawned the things we owned.
Now I must die by my own hand
'cause I'm not man enough to live alone.
Hey, hey she's better off without
me and I'm better off dead.
The lyrics of Better Off Dead by B. Withers are about a man who has lost his family due to his alcoholism. He acknowledges that he has a drinking problem and that as a result, he had spent all their money, which led his wife to take their children and leave him. He is full of remorse that he could not stop drinking and prevent his family from leaving him. In the chorus, he says that his wife is better off without him and that he is better off dead now that she is gone. This line shows us how frustrated he feels with himself and his life, to the extent that he believes his death would fix things.
The second verse adds more depth to the story, with the singer admitting that his wife had done everything she could to help him. She had gone as far as inviting a priest to their home, hoping he would stop drinking. Despite crying, praying, and promising to stop drinking, he had failed. The man accepts that he must leave what he can't face, and he hopes that his wife finds a happy home for the kids. In the third verse, the man acknowledges that his wife was left to deal with the fallout from his drinking. She would call her friend and cry, but the man would go out and pawn off their belongings. Finally, the man believes he has no choice but to take his own life as he cannot live without his family.
In summary, the song is a tale about personal struggles with alcoholism, the effects of addiction on family, and the ultimate and tragic result. The song is an emotional plea to those that suffer from addiction to seek help before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
She couldn't stand me anymore, so she just took the kids and went.
She reached a breaking point with my behavior and decided to leave me, taking the children with her.
You see, I've got a drinkin' problem, all the money that we had I spent.
My addiction to alcohol caused me to waste all of our financial resources.
Now I must die by my own hand 'cause I'm not man enough to live alone.
I have decided to end my life because I cannot bear to be alone without my family.
Hey, hey, she's better off without me and I'm better off dead now that she's gone.
My former partner will have a better life without me, and I believe that death is preferable without them.
Ah, she gave the most, took the least, she even had the priest come to our home.
My partner gave more than she received in our relationship, even resorting to seeking spiritual guidance to help us.
And I cried and prayed and promised that I'd leave the stuff alone.
I was emotional and made empty promises to stop my destructive behavior.
Now I must leave what I can't face, I hope she finds the kids a happy home.
I am running away from my problems instead of confronting them, and I wish for my children to have a positive home life.
She used to call her friend and cry, then the man cut off the telephone.
My former partner had a support system, but I prevented her from reaching out for help when she needed it.
She'd sit and cry while I went out and pawned the things we owned.
My addiction led me to prioritize getting my next fix over the welfare of our family, leading to the loss of our possessions.
Hey, hey she's better off without me and I'm better off dead.
I am certain that my partner can live a better life without me, and I believe that death is preferable due to my own shortcomings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILL WITHERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CB Fall
I got this record at home! I always listen to the B-side more than the A-side!! Great song.
basementrecords100
These records are from my parents collection. They don't sound all that great (obviously) as they weren't taken good care of. Watch some of my vinyl videos on my other channel at adudewithgoodmusic (or Jeremy Hodge), and see how great vinyl can sound.
basementrecords100
@cbfall so do i. I always loved this song
hebay2
I really don't miss vinyl one bit...bloody horrible
CB Fall
@basementrecords100 :)