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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Happy Day Mãmã
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I could ask you why you live your life
(disregard the pretense that you made).
Come alive, come alive, watch the city go by.
Turn me up, turn me up, turn me up, turn me up, turn me up
Your face is creased by the pillow case sheets,
The bedroom is a mess.
Can I get some room service please?
Are you lucid? Drug induced?
Through bloodshot eyes the city come alive,come alive,come alive.
Ah, how wonderful you are!
Ah, how wonderful you are!
Outside, you feel like you were born with a kick-me sign
Taped permanently to your back.
I can relate, video tape,
You got a laugh when you fell face first on the floor.
Ah, how wonderful you are!
Ah, how wonderful you are!
Are you listening?
Are you breathing?
Give me something, I can believe in,
Because you give me soul
Illuminating everything!
Aw, push it boy, push it like you never should.
Understate.
You were great,
Summering out on the cape.
I said last night how I feel about you,
But you wouldn't recall no,
You don't recall anything do you?
Ah, how wonderful you are!
Ah, how wonderful you are!
I wrote a three page note
I wrote a three page note
I wrote a three page note
Happy day Mama, happy day, happy day, happy day Mama!
The lyrics to Better Than Ezra's song "Happy Day MaMa" appear to be about someone who is struggling with addiction or self-destructive behavior. The singer has written a three-page note to this person, asking them why they live their life the way they do despite the consequences. The line "disregard the pretense that you made" suggests that the person in question may have made excuses or justifications for their behavior in the past.
The chorus of the song urges the person to come alive and watch the city go by, implying that they may be missing out on life due to their addiction. The line "your face is creased by the pillow case sheets, the bedroom is a mess" suggests that the person may be struggling with sleeping or taking care of themselves.
The song seems to alternate between moments of empathy and frustration towards the person in question. The singer acknowledges that they can relate to feeling like they have a "kick-me sign" taped to their back, but also seems exasperated by the person's lack of memory and accountability. The repetition of the line "Ah, how wonderful you are!" throughout the song could be interpreted as either a genuine expression of admiration or a sarcastic remark.
Line by Line Meaning
I wrote a three page note
I took the time to write down my thoughts that I want to share with you
So I could ask you why you live your life
I want to understand your life choices and what motivates you
(disregard the pretense that you made).
I don't want you to hide behind any false fronts or facades when answering my questions
Come alive, come alive, watch the city go by.
Wake up and start living in the moment, appreciate the beauty of the world around you
Turn me up, turn me up, turn me up, turn me up, turn me up
Make me louder, listen to what I have to say
Your face is creased by the pillow case sheets,
I notice the details of your face, and can tell you have had a restless night
The bedroom is a mess.
Your surroundings reflect the chaos in your mind
Can I get some room service please?
I want to take care of you and make your day easier
Are you lucid? Drug induced?
I am questioning your mental clarity and well-being
Through bloodshot eyes the city come alive,come alive,come alive.
You have a unique perspective on the world due to your current state, the city seems more vibrant to you than usual
Ah, how wonderful you are!
I am admiring your faults and all, and appreciate you for who you are
Outside, you feel like you were born with a kick-me sign
You feel like a target and that the world is against you
Taped permanently to your back.
This feeling of being singled out seems like it is always with you, never to go away
I can relate, video tape,
I empathize with your situation and feel like I can relate to your feelings or experiences
You got a laugh when you fell face first on the floor.
Even when you suffer a setback, you are able to find the humor in the situation
Are you listening?
I want to know if you are giving me your full attention
Are you breathing?
I want to know if you are okay and still with me
Give me something, I can believe in,
I need to believe in something to move forward and make sense of this world
Because you give me soul
You are a source of inspiration to me and keep my spirit grounded
Illuminating everything!
You have a positive impact on everything and everyone around you
Aw, push it boy, push it like you never should.
You are taking risks and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone
Understate.
Don't go over the top, keep it subtle
You were great,
You did an amazing job
Summering out on the cape.
You had a fun and relaxing summer on the coast
I said last night how I feel about you,
I have shared my emotions with you before
But you wouldn't recall no,
You don't remember what I said
You don't recall anything do you?
It seems like all the things I have shared with you in the past have been forgotten
Happy day Mama, happy day, happy day, happy day Mama!
I am celebrating and expressing joy for my mother on this happy day
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind