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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Misunderstood
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reciting lines start to end
But she's not crazy
(Knock on wood)
Just a little misunderstood
She takes a walk at 4 AM
Wakes the neighborhood again
Everything she used to tell me
Aw yeah, alright,
Truth hurts inside
Aw yeah, that's right,
You go around once in life
Everybody wants to be a part
Everybody loves a situation
Who would ever want to play the part
Of anonymous numbers
On a governmental chart
She's waiting tables the next day
She pulls a double then on her way
To an audition in Hollywood, yeah,
A little misunderstood
We sit around the house
Waiting for the phone to ring
And I know she alone holds the key
To everything I want to be
Aw yeah, alright,
Truth hurts inside
Aw yeah, that's right,
You go around once in life
Everybody wants to be a part
Everybody loves a situation
Who would ever want to play the part
Of anonymous numbers
On a governmental chart
Everybody wants to be your friend
When you've got something you can give them
All I've seen, bad and good,
She's not crazy
Just a little misunderstood.
Aw yeah, all good,
She's not crazy,
Just a little misunderstood
Two years later you're a star
Who'd have thought we'd get this far?
But I'd give it all away if I
Could see you on that day again
When you quit work
And threw that coffee
At the manager jerk
You said, "Close your eyes
I've got a surprise
A house in the hills
And a car that drives by."
Aw yeah, alright,
Truth hurts, don't it?
Inside
Aw yeah, that's right,
You go around once in life
Everybody wants to be a part
Everybody loves a situation
Who would ever want to play the part
Of anonymous numbers
On a governmental chart
Everybody wants to be your friend
When you've got something you can give them
All I've seen, bad and good,
She's not crazy
Just a little misunderstood
Aw yeah, all good,
She's not crazy,
Just a little misunderstood
The song "Misunderstood" by Better Than Ezra talks about a girl who is often misunderstood and how her life changes with time. The first verse describes how she speaks lines from her sleep, which may not make sense to others. However, the singer believes she is not crazy, just misunderstood. The second verse talks about how she walks around the neighborhood at 4 AM, waking people up. Her actions hint at her restlessness and anxiety, which is not easy for others to understand. The chorus emphasizes that everybody wants to be a part of something and be noticed, but nobody wants to be just another number on a governmental chart.
The singer continues to describe how the girl is different from others, working as a waitress in the day and chasing her dreams of acting in Hollywood at night. Her struggle to fit in with society is evident, and the realizations that people may not be understood, provides the listeners with a message. The song talks about how people associate being misunderstood as craziness, which could be far from the truth. In the final verse, the singer remembers a moment of triumph when the girl throws coffee at her manager and quits her job, leading to a break in her acting career. The song concludes with the idea that people are often misunderstood because of society's expectations, and their true desires are often unheard.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking in her sleep again
The singer's female companion frequently speaks in her sleep.
Reciting lines start to end
She recites phrases in her sleep as if she were reading them.
But she's not crazy
Despite her unusual behavior, the singer does not think she's insane.
(Knock on wood)
He follows this statement with a gesture of knocking on wood.
Just a little misunderstood
He suggests that her unusual behavior is due to her being misunderstood by others.
She takes a walk at 4 AM
She walks in the early hours of the morning.
Wakes the neighborhood again
Her nocturnal activities disturb the peace of the community.
And I find myself recalling
The artist reminisces about their conversations.
Everything she used to tell me
He thinks back to the discussions they had.
Aw yeah, alright,
A phrase of agreement and affirmation.
Truth hurts inside
The truth can be uncomfortable or painful to acknowledge.
You go around once in life
Life is brief and fleeting, so it's important to live every day to the fullest.
Everybody wants to be a part
Everybody seeks to belong to a community or society.
Everybody loves a situation
People enjoy favorable circumstances or scenarios.
Who would ever want to play the part
No one would willingly assume the role.
Of anonymous numbers
Individuals whose identities do not matter or count.
On a governmental chart
A metaphor for a bureaucratic structure where individuals' roles are defined by societal systems.
She's waiting tables the next day
The singer's companion goes to work as a server the day after her late-night walk.
She pulls a double then on her way
She works an extended shift before heading off to her next appointment.
To an audition in Hollywood, yeah,
She has an opportunity for an audition in Hollywood.
A little misunderstood
She feels somewhat misinterpreted by others.
We sit around the house
The artist and their friends are stuck at home.
Waiting for the phone to ring
They pass the time waiting for a certain call.
And I know she alone holds the key
He believes that his partner has the solution to their present circumstances.
To everything I want to be
She has the ability to give him everything that he aspires to be.
Everybody wants to be your friend
People are attracted to success or financial security.
When you've got something you can give them
Others benefit from your resources or success.
All I've seen, bad and good,
The artist acknowledges the ups and downs he's experienced in his life.
She's not crazy
The artist's companion does not appear to be insane.
Just a little misunderstood.
He suggests that her unusual behavior is due to her being misunderstood by others.
Two years later you're a star
Two years after their struggle, she has become successful.
Who'd have thought we'd get this far?
The artist reflects on how much they have accomplished since then.
But I'd give it all away if I
The artist would sacrifice everything he has gained if only he could redo that magical moment.
Could see you on that day again
He would like to experience again that significant day when she was brave enough to throw coffee at her boss.
When you quit work
The day when she chose to leave her work behind.
And threw that coffee
The moment when she threw hot coffee in the face of her boss.
At the manager jerk
She targeted her anger at an unworthy recipient.
You said, 'Close your eyes
She said something intimate to him.
I've got a surprise
She shared that she had something special in mind for the future.
A house in the hills
Their future home which is presumably in an upscale neighborhood.
And a car that drives by.'
A grand car which they can proudly show off.
Truth hurts, don't it?
The truth often stings or can be unpleasant.
All I've seen, bad and good,
The singer acknowledges the ups and downs he's experienced in his life.
She's not crazy
The artist's companion does not appear to be insane.
Just a little misunderstood.
He suggests that her unusual behavior is due to her being misunderstood by others.
Everybody wants to be your friend
People are attracted to success or financial security.
When you've got something you can give them
Others benefit from your resources or success.
Aw yeah, all good,
A phrase of agreement and affirmation.
She's not crazy,
The singer's companion does not appear to be insane.
Just a little misunderstood
He suggests that her unusual behavior is due to her being misunderstood by others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abby C.
such a great song, can't believe this doesn't have more views. better than ezra is one of my absolute favorite bands
Goat P
Love them! Went to a Mardi ball and they performed. Caught their drumsticks! They are awesome sauce!
Joni Luebbers
I love you guys! you bring me to life
musicsunhappy
LOVE THIS. THANKS FOR POSTING!
Paul Schwerin
Loved this album. Can't find them now because the deal they signed with the record label. Lost the rights to the music and the label went bankrupt so their music was gone. Read an article about it a year or so ago. :(
Beth Smith
Are they a Christian band or did I make that up? This is one of my all time favorite songs.
It speaks to me. I do comedy. I've had like 23 jobs. I wanna go to Hollywood and audition for movies. I love every word of this song.
A Virtual Tourist
QuasiChristian, music anyways, try "recognize" or "breathless"
Luxord Rin
althou this whole ablum was amazing
Mariah Conklin
This songs for some of my bosses who are assholes.
chloe
This song= Finnick and Annie!