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.
_____ _____ _____
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.
_____ _____ _____
Desperately Wanting
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you never called home
Where they turned out the lights
Though they say you'll never know
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
When they pumped out your guts
Filled you full of those pills
You were never quite right
Deserving all the chills
They say the worst is over
Kicked it over and ran
Then they ask what went wrong
When they turn you on again
They turn you on again.
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Kick them right in the face
Make them wish they weren't born
And if they bring up your name
Well they'll say you won the war.
Baby burst in the world
Never given a chance
Then they ask what went wrong
When you never had it right
Oh, the letters have dropped off
Though they say you got them all
I finally figured out some things you'll never know.
Take back your life and let me inside
We'll find the door if you care to anymore.
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting.
In "Desperately Wanting," Better Than Ezra uses vivid imagery to tell the story of someone who has struggled with addiction and never quite found their place in the world. The opening lines describe a house that the person never called home, and how the lights were turned off. It's unclear whether this is a metaphor for feeling like an outsider or if it's a literal description of a house that was abandoned, but either way it sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The next verse is even more haunting, as the singer describes how the person was pumped full of pills and never quite got it right - "deserving all the chills." The chorus is a repeated plea to desperately want something more, but it's unclear what that something is. Perhaps it's love, or a sense of belonging, or just a feeling of being whole.
The third verse takes a darker turn, with the singer expressing anger towards those who have hurt the person: "Kick them right in the face / Make them wish they weren't born." But then it shifts again, with the bittersweet line "if they bring up your name / Well they'll say you won the war." It's as if the person has overcome some obstacle, but at a great cost to themselves.
In the final verses, the singer speaks directly to the person, urging them to "take back your life and let me inside." It's unclear who this person is - a friend, a lover, a family member - but there's a sense of deep empathy and a desire to understand and help. The final line, "we'll find the door if you care to anymore," leaves the listener with a sense of hope, but also the recognition that the person may not want or be able to be helped.
Overall, "Desperately Wanting" is a haunting and beautifully written song that speaks to the human desire for connection and understanding, even in the face of great pain and isolation.
Line by Line Meaning
Past the road to your house
I am reminiscing about the times I would go to your house and how it's sad that it never really felt like a home.
That you never called home
Despite the fact that you lived there, it never felt like the place where you belonged.
Where they turned out the lights
Even though it's clear that nobody lives in the house anymore, it's a sad thing to see.
Though they say you'll never know
Even though it doesn't matter to you, there are things that have happened since you've been gone that you'll never be aware of.
I remember running through the wet grass
I can vividly remember the good times we had together, specifically when we ran around outside in the rain.
Falling a step behind
Although we didn't always keep pace with each other, it never really mattered to us because we were always together.
Both of us never tiring
We had an unbreakable bond and we never let anything wear us down.
Desperately wanting
We both felt like something was missing in our lives and we were constantly searching for something more.
When they pumped out your guts
You were put through a lot of physical and emotional pain.
Filled you full of those pills
You were given medication to help you cope, but it didn't always work.
You were never quite right
Even though you tried to function as best you could, things were never the same for you.
Deserving all the chills
You were haunted by your past and nothing could truly shake that off.
They say the worst is over
Some people believe that the worst of your struggles are over now.
Kicked it over and ran
You tried to move on from your past, but it wasn't easy.
Then they ask what went wrong
People will always try to understand what happened to you, despite not being able to comprehend your inner turmoil.
When they turn you on again
Some people feel like you are just a machine and can be 'turned on again' like a switch.
Kick them right in the face
It's tempting to lash out at those who have hurt you the most.
Make them wish they weren't born
You would like to hurt people so badly that they would regret ever having been born.
And if they bring up your name
Sometimes people will bring up your name, unknowingly causing deep pain and regret for the past.
Well they'll say you won the war
Despite all of your struggles, you will emerge as the winner in the end.
Baby burst in the world
When you were born, everyone had high hopes for your life.
Never given a chance
But unfortunately, life didn't always live up to those expectations for you.
Then they ask what went wrong
People will always try to make sense of what happened to you, but ultimately they will never truly understand the complexity of your struggles.
When you never had it right
You feel like you were never truly able to get your life on track, no matter how hard you tried.
Oh, the letters have dropped off
Over time, people have stopped reaching out to you and the connections you once had have all but been forgotten.
Though they say you got them all
Even though people believe that you have everything you need to succeed, it's just not that simple for you.
I finally figured out some things you'll never know
I've come to understand things about your struggles that I never really understood before and that you'll never be able to comprehend.
Take back your life and let me inside
I want to be there for you and help you take control of your life and your struggles.
We'll find the door if you care to anymore.
But ultimately, the choice is yours and whether or not you want to confront your struggles is up to you.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kevin M Griffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind