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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Hey Love
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
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The lyrics of "Hey Love" by Better Than Ezra express a sense of loss and longing for a past love. The singer admits that he hasn't felt the presence of his love in a while and hasn't had much reason to smile. He reminisces about seeing his love's reflection in the eyes of passing couples who share the special bond that they once had, but which he has been denied for too long.
The chorus is a plea for his love to stay a little longer, but he understands that it is time for them to part ways. He found a photo of them together captured in their happy faces, just before she disappeared from his life. The singer is grateful for the memories they shared together, even if it was just for a little while, and their encounters always ended with a bittersweet goodbye.
However, towards the end of the song, the singer expresses his doubts and insecurities about moving on and starting anew. He questions whether every new beginning is just another end, and wonders if his love will ever return to him again.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hey Love" are beautifully written and express the bittersweet emotions of parting ways with a loved one, the memories and longing that come with it, and the mixed feelings of wanting to move on but also desiring to hold on.
Line by Line Meaning
I haven't felt you for a while
I haven't had the chance to be happy for some time
I see you in the eyes of couples passing by, as soulmates kiss, the innocence, too long I've been denied
I see glimpses of love in other people, but it's been a while since I had that
Hey love, where you going? Hey love, how you been?
Hello love, where have you been? How have you been doing?
I wish you'd stay a little longer, no, that's ok, I understand, maybe another day
I wish you could stick around, but I understand if you can't. Maybe we'll see each other again
Hey love, old friend, there you go again
Hello old friend love, you're leaving again
I found a photo and you were there, captured in our faces, just before you disappeared
I found a photo of us together, right before we said goodbye
It was nice to know you, if only for a while, to come and go with a sweet hello and a bittersweet goodbye
It was good knowing you, even if it was just for a short time. It's bittersweet that we had to say goodbye
I don't know where I am, I don't know, I don't know where I am
I feel lost and unsure of myself
And if every new beginning is just another's end, tell me love, why should I begin again
If everything eventually ends, why bother starting something new?
Can you come back love? Can you come back?
Can you come back to me, my love?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN, MONTY POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind