Better Than Ezra is an alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisian… Read Full Bio ↴Better Than Ezra is an alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band was formed in Baton Rouge in 1987 by Kevin Griffin while he and the other original members were attending college at Louisiana State University. By 1988 Better Than Ezra had released a demo cassette tape, Chime Street Studio Demo Tape. In 1989 the band released a cassette-only album, Surprise. They released their first nationally-distributed album Deluxe in 1993 (Swell Records / 1995 Elektra). It was released on 2 different labels, the independent Swell Records first, in 1993, and later national label Elektra Records, in 1995. That same year, "Good" became a major pop hit, reaching the #1 position on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. Subsequent album releases include Friction, Baby (Elektra, 1996), How Does Your Garden Grow? (Elektra, 1998), and Closer, (Beyond Records, 2001). The band also released the B-Sides and rarities collection artifakt on its own "Ezra Dry Goods/Fudge" label in 2000. Late 2004 saw the band simultaneously releasing an official live concert DVD, as well as an official live album, both entitled Live at the House of Blues New Orleans (Sanctuary Records). Recent releases include a Greatest Hits collection (Warner Brothers, March 15, 2005), and a new album entitled Before the Robots (Artemis Records, May 31, 2005.)

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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Teenager
Better Than Ezra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Listen to them fight
Hear your mother cry
Weekend at your dad's
They don't know what they do to you
Teenager
Teenager

Wrap yourself in black

Listen to The Cure
'Love-line' won't call back
They don't know, they don't care, they don't see, but I do
And if it feels good, do it
'cause if it tastes fine, then drink
There's a range of possibilities to find
Teenager
Teenager

No-one knows your name
No-one hears your cry
Fall in with the fringe
'cause they know what you're going through..they do
And if it feels good, do it
And if it tastes fine, then drink
There's a range of possibilities to find
Teenager
Teenager

No-one's wrong, no-one's right
It comes down on you
I have found the light, inside mine
Hear your mother cry
Fade into the night
When they ask you why
They won't know, they won't feel, they won't see
But you will

And if it feels good, do it
'cause if it tastes fine, then drink
Well there's a range of possibilities to find
Well if it feels good, do it

'cause if it tastes fine, then drink
Well there's a range of possibilities to find

Teenager
Teenager

Overall Meaning

Better Than Ezra's song Teenager is a poignant and introspective look at the struggles of adolescence. The opening lines speak of the pain that comes with witnessing one's parents fight, and the tears of one's mother. The weekend spent with a parent who may not fully understand or appreciate the challenges faced by a teenager. The song goes on to highlight the feelings of isolation, as the singer falls in with the "fringe" who seem to understand what they're going through. The lyrics urge the listener to embrace the moments of pleasure and enjoyment that can be found amidst the chaos of teenage life.

The song also touches on themes of identity and the struggle for self-discovery. The lyrics speak to the idea that during the teenage years there's a range of possibilities to explore, and a sense of freedom that comes with the lack of preconceived ideas of who we should be. The singer is searching for something, anything that feels good or tastes fine, as a way of navigating these choppy waters. The song comes to a head with the line "they won't know, they won't feel, they won't see; but you will". This speaks directly to the idea that even in the depths of teenage angst, one can find themselves and ultimately come out the other side.

Line by Line Meaning

Listen to them fight
You are constantly within earshot of your parents arguing with each other.

Hear your mother cry
You also hear your mother crying in pain or frustration during these fights.

Weekend at your dad's
Your parents are divorced, and you spend every other weekend staying with your father.

They don't know what they do to you
Your parents don't seem to realize that their argumentative and unstable relationship is taking a toll on your well-being.

Teenager
You are a teenager, dealing with all the troubles and uncertainties that come with adolescence.

Wrap yourself in black
You dress in dark, monochromatic clothing as a way of expressing your melancholy mood and emotional numbness.

Listen to The Cure
You listen to the music of The Cure, a band whose songs often deal with themes of sadness, isolation, and disillusionment.

'Love-line' won't call back
You've tried calling the 'Love-line' radio show for advice or companionship, but you've yet to receive a response.

They don't know, they don't care, they don't see, but I do
The adults in your life seem oblivious to your feelings and needs, but you are aware of your own struggles.

And if it feels good, do it
You are tempted to engage in activities that offer temporary relief or pleasure, regardless of their long-term consequences.

'cause if it tastes fine, then drink
You are open to trying new experiences, even if they have negative side-effects, as long as they provide some form of fleeting enjoyment.

There's a range of possibilities to find
You are aware that there are many ways to cope with your problems, some healthier than others, and you are searching for the right one for you.

No-one knows your name
You feel overlooked and anonymous, like no one sees the real you.

No-one hears your cry
Your inner turmoil and pain go unnoticed by those around you.

Fall in with the fringe
You hang out with other outcasts and misfits, whom you feel more comfortable relating to than with mainstream peers.

'cause they know what you're going through..they do
You feel understood and validated by your unconventional friends, who share your sense of alienation and struggle.

No-one's wrong, no-one's right
You understand that everyone has their own point of view and biases, and there is rarely a clear-cut 'right' or 'wrong' in life.

It comes down on you
Ultimately, you are the one who must deal with the consequences of your actions and decisions.

I have found the light, inside mine
You have discovered your own inner strength and resilience, which carries you through tough times.

Fade into the night
You often feel like escaping from reality and disappearing from the world, just to avoid the pain and hardships.

When they ask you why
People in your life might question your choices or mood, but they can't fully grasp your experiences or motivations.

They won't know, they won't feel, they won't see
You can't expect others to understand your struggles or fix your problems, as they have their own lives and limitations.

But you will
You are the one who has to take responsibility for your own well-being and happiness, and to find meaning and purpose in your life.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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