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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This Time of Year
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like a Friday afternoon
Yeah you can go there if you want
Though it fades too soon
So go on, let it be
If there's a feelin' coming over me
Seems like it's always understood this time of year
Well I know there's a time for us
Think about the good times and you live with all the bad
You can feel it in the air
Feelin' right this time of year
Well there's a football in the air
Across the leaf-blown field
Yeah, and there's your first car on the road
And the girl you steal
So go on, if you fell
If there's a feelin' that there's somethin' else
Seems like it's always understood this time of year
Well I know there's a reason to change (this time of year)
Yeah I know there's a time for us (this time of year)
Think about the good times but you live with all the bad (this time of year)
You can feel it in the air
Feelin' right this time of year
Well there's a feelin' in the air
Just like a Friday afternoon
Yeah you can go there if you want
Thought it fades too soon
So go on, let it be
If there's a feelin' comin' over me
Seems like it's always understood this time of year
Well I know there's a reason to change (this time of year)
Yeah I know there's a time for us (this time of year)
Ya think about the good times, and you live with all the bad (this time of year)
You can feel it in the air
Feel it in the air
Yeah I can feel it in the air
Well I can feel it in the air
Yeah you can feel it in the air
Feelin' right this time of year
The song "This Time of Year" by Better Than Ezra is all about the feeling of nostalgia and memories that come flooding back during autumn. The lyrics describe a sense of excitement in the air, reminiscent of Friday afternoons, football games, first cars, and young love. The verses repeat the phrase "there's a feeling in the air," emphasizing the power of these memories and the sense of something special happening at this time of year. The chorus adds to this, stating that "this time of year" is a time for change and for thinking about both the good and bad times.
The lyrics also suggest that these memories are fleeting and that the feeling of nostalgia fades too soon. This adds a bittersweet quality to the song, as if the singer knows that these good times will never come back. Despite this, the chorus encourages the listener to embrace the feeling and let it be, to fully enjoy the moment while it lasts.
Overall, "This Time of Year" is a song about the power of memories and how they can evoke strong emotions even years later. It captures the excitement and nostalgia of autumn, while also acknowledging the impermanence of these feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's a feelin' in the air
There is an intangible sensation of something happening
Just like a Friday afternoon
Similar to the excitement felt at the end of the workweek
Yeah you can go there if you want
You have the option to experience this feeling
Though it fades too soon
The feeling is short-lived and will not last forever
So go on, let it be
Accept the feeling and do not try to hold onto it
If there's a feelin' coming over me
If I am experiencing this feeling
Seems like it's always understood this time of year
This feeling is common during this season
Well I know there's a reason to change
I am aware of a need to make a change
Well I know there's a time for us
I know that there is a specific moment for us
Think about the good times and you live with all the bad
Reflect on the positive moments and learn to accept the negative ones
You can feel it in the air
This feeling is pervasive in the atmosphere
Feelin' right this time of year
This feeling is appropriate for the current season
Well there's a football in the air
The presence of a football in the sky
Across the leaf-blown field
The field with leaves scattering across its surface
Yeah, and there's your first car on the road
The sight of your first car on a street
And the girl you steal
A girl who has captured your attention
So go on, if you fell
Follow your heart if you feel compelled to do so
If there's a feelin' that there's somethin' else
If there is a nagging sense that another feeling exists
You can feel it in the air
This feeling is tangible and present
Yeah I know there's a reason to change (this time of year)
A realization that this season is a time for transformation
Ya think about the good times, and you live with all the bad (this time of year)
Reflect on the past but do not dwell on negative experiences
Well I can feel it in the air
The artist can sense the feeling in the atmosphere
Feelin' right this time of year
The feeling is appropriate for the current season
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Heffernan
Absolutely beautiful song..that whole album Deluxe is a gem from top to bottom
leonard milne
you bet.. thanks for not going overboard
Matthew Kanon
BTE - thank you for this song. I'm a music therapist and played this in a band many moons ago, have shared it with many people since then and always get a good reaction. Long live your ode to autumn...
Morello
The most underrated band ever.
leonard milne
f u
Jason
I alway thought they were much better than they ever got credit for.....must not have been willing to play the game.
Daniel Muhlhauser
Agree, without a doubt
Paul Cyr
The sun hangs a little lower, the stadium lights glow off in the distance and a familiar chill hangs lightly on the air.
Listening to this song is akin to a time machine.
Linda Fielding
Love this and all the good memories it brings.
John Vollmar
These guys. Seriously. THESE GUYS! Tears and laughter and these guys.