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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Hollow
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you were wondering if it would ever start
Stop.
Sunlight on a razor blade
Three different souls and the lives they made
I grew up in the 80s in the palisades
I was listening to Devo
Were voted "most likely to succeed"
Holly came out, and Billy got paid
But Jenny got pregnant the first time she got laid
[Chorus:]
All my rage sits inside
And even the finest things are leaving you hollow
And all my days left behind
And even the finest things are leaving you hollow
Cut to an interior view:
Holly married well, but so did you
One was black, one was blue
I was watching the days go by
Could you be seeing a silly dream
Where Billy lives on Prozac and nicotine?
Holly got a G.E.D. living in maternity
Nursing her broken heart for the love she lost
[Chorus]
And the sky is blue, but so are you
Mary takes a drage off a cigarette
And the stereo is coming up behind her
Like she needs something to remind her
That life is richer in a minor key
Bill and Holly disagree, but I don't think so
[Chorus]
The song "Hollow" by Better Than Ezra conveys a sense of disillusionment and disappointment with the world. The lyrics speak about the struggles of life and how even the finest things can leave a person feeling empty inside. The first verse speaks of a person whose life has been marred and is wondering if it will ever start. The abrupt stop in the lyrics could signify that there is no clear answer to this question. The second verse is a reflection on the 80s when the singer was growing up. Though there was success for some, such as Billy, who got paid, there were others like Jenny, who got pregnant the first time she got laid. This contrast shows that life is not always fair, and things can happen unexpectedly.
The chorus of the song repeats the message that everything seems to be leaving the person feeling hollow. The third verse is a cut to an interior view, where the singer is observing people who have married but have vastly different lives. One was black, one was blue, which could mean that despite the differences, both lives might feel hollow. The final verses talk about the sky being blue, but so are you, which could mean that even though the world might seem beautiful, it is hard to find joy in it. The song ends with a reference to a minor key, which implies a sad or melancholic tune. Overall, "Hollow" is a reflection on the harsh realities of life and how they can leave a person feeling empty.
Line by Line Meaning
And they say your life was marred
People talk about how difficult your life has been
And you were wondering if it would ever start Stop.
You had doubts about whether your life would ever truly begin
Sunlight on a razor blade
Representing the fragility and danger of hope
Three different souls and the lives they made
Three individuals with unique life experiences and choices
I grew up in the 80s in the palisades
The artist shares a personal detail of their background
I was listening to Devo
The singer was interested in a particular band in their youth
And everybody catered to your needs
Discussing privilege and being spoiled as a child/teenager
Were voted 'most likely to succeed'
Commenting on societal pressure for success and achievement
Holly came out, and Billy got paid
Telling a story of two people and their experiences
But Jenny got pregnant the first time she got laid
Highlighting the obstacles and consequences of certain choices and actions
All my rage sits inside
The singer feels angry about something but keeps it bottled up
And even the finest things are leaving you hollow
Even seemingly great things can feel empty on a deeper level
And all my days left behind
Looking back on past experiences and time passing
Cut to an interior view:
Transitioning to a new scene or perspective
Holly married well, but so did you
Two people are now in different places in their lives
One was black, one was blue
Referring to the contrasting lives and experiences of the two individuals
I was watching the days go by
The artist is a passive observer of time passing and change happening
Could you be seeing a silly dream
Asking a hypothetical question about someone's thoughts
Where Billy lives on Prozac and nicotine?
Asking another hypothetical question about someone's life
Holly got a G.E.D. living in maternity
Describing a difficult life situation and a less-than-ideal outcome
Nursing her broken heart for the love she lost
Dealing with heartbreak and emotional pain
And the sky is blue, but so are you
An observation about someone's mood or emotional state
Mary takes a drag off a cigarette
Another personal detail of one of the characters
And the stereo is coming up behind her
Setting the scene and adding detail
Like she needs something to remind her
Commenting on the role of music and other media in our lives
That life is richer in a minor key
Suggesting that the contemplative, melancholy aspects of life are also valuable
Bill and Holly disagree, but I don't think so
Noticing a possible disagreement between two of the characters
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Natalie
I love this guy! I just love all their songs so much. They sing songs I never ever hear on the radio
jointhearmy555
eitmonline has a really cool interview of them they did a month or so back. I think you can find it via google or youtube, but for all you BTE fans out there, it's worth a look. It's a couple parts, but pretty cool. Other than that, awesome song. Wouldn't expect anything less from Better Than Ezra. Maybe they should change their name to Better Than Everythingelseontheradiotoday
J Cav
Poor Jenny. :( BTE ROCKS!!!
Anna Baker
I say that EVERY time I hear this song! Poor Jenny.