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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WWOZ
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
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A string of flowers haloed around your head
Candle light
Ceiling fan
Curtains blow away and back again
Back again
Don't wake me, I think I'm in a dream
Sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Calling back and forth through heavy air
The barges sound their warnings in the dark
Peace comes like a trusted friend
As it starts to rain again fall away
Fall away
So don't wake me I think, I'm in a dream
Now sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Sleeping is easy
I used to walk the streets for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Let go of your fear, let's grow old together
Find a place along the way
Let's reel through the years
Each makes the other better.
But what thoughts can I call allies
When this circle of ribs keeps working on its own?
WWOZ's on in stereo.
Well it's on in stereo.
The song WWOZ by Better Than Ezra is a ballad that reflects on moments of peace and contentment amidst the chaos and confusion of life. The lyrics paint a dream-like scene that starts with the singer finding solace in the music of WWOZ, a New Orleans-based radio station that specializes in jazz, blues, and other forms of African American and Caribbean music. The reference to stereo suggests that the singer is fully immersed in the sound, possibly listening through headphones or a high-quality sound system. The string of flowers around the head and the candlelight suggest a romantic setting, perhaps a bedroom. The curtains blowing away and back again, and the ceiling fan add to the surreal ambiance. The singer feels like they're in a dream and doesn't want to be woken up.
The second stanza further explores the idea that sleeping is easy and desirable for the singer, who used to struggle with insomnia. Waiting for something all their life, the singer has finally found some comfort and peace. The barges sound their warnings in the dark, possibly reminding the listener of the dangers lurking outside. However, peace comes like a trusted friend, and the rain washing away everything else. The singer wants to dwell in this moment of tranquillity and not be jolted back to reality. They end the song with a call to their loved one to embrace the uncertainty of the future together and make each other better.
Line by Line Meaning
WWOZ is on in stereo
The radio station WWOZ is playing in stereo.
A string of flowers haloed around your head
You have a beautiful flower crown on your head.
Candle light
There are candles providing light in the room.
Ceiling fan
There is a ceiling fan in the room.
Curtains blow away and back again
The curtains are blowing in the wind and then coming back.
Back again
The curtains come back again after blowing away.
Don't wake me, I think I'm in a dream
I am in such a peaceful state that I think I might be dreaming. Please do not wake me up.
Sleeping is easy
It is easy to fall and stay asleep here.
I used to lay in bed for hours
I had trouble falling asleep for a long time in the past.
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
I have waited for what feels like a long time, maybe I can learn something from this moment.
Calling back and forth through heavy air
Communicating through thick air or bad connection.
The barges sound their warnings in the dark
The barges are making a warning noise in the darkness.
Peace comes like a trusted friend
Peace is like a friend I can trust, and I feel content with this peace.
As it starts to rain again fall away
The peace I was feeling is starting to go away while it starts raining again.
Fall away
The peace is fading away.
So don't wake me I think, I'm in a dream
I am in such a peaceful state that I think I might be dreaming. Please do not wake me up.
Now sleeping is easy
It is easy to fall and stay asleep here.
I used to lay in bed for hours
I had trouble falling asleep for a long time in the past.
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
I have waited for what feels like a long time, maybe I can learn something from this moment.
Sleeping is easy
It is easy to fall and stay asleep here.
I used to walk the streets for hours
I used to walk around aimlessly for long periods.
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
I have waited for what feels like a long time, maybe I can learn something from this moment.
Let go of your fear, let's grow old together
Let us be vulnerable with each other and grow old together.
Find a place along the way
We should find a place to call our own while we journey together.
Let's reel through the years
Let us pass through the years together, enjoying life.
Each makes the other better.
We make each other better by being together.
But what thoughts can I call allies
What thoughts can I trust to be friends and allies of the mind?
When this circle of ribs keeps working on its own?
When my body keeps operating on its own, what thoughts can I trust and rely on?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind