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.
_____ _____ _____
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.
_____ _____ _____
Waxing or Waning
Better Than Ezra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Writing a note,
"dear sal, i hope you'll agree..."
Then catching a bus,
Just after dusk,
A one way trip to the city.
A hot plate,
A hat.
The want ads are strewn on the floor.
And you get so mad, when your ma and dad
Reflect when you look in the mirror.
But i see you there
Nude at the top of the stairs
(but so far away)
And i recall all
Your dreams and your schemes
Moving me.
The plans that we made,
A street serenade
You can't be like your brother and mike,
Content just to live and get by.
I hope that your fine,
At 13th and 9.
Waxing or waning?
Your call.
But i see you there
Alight at the top of the stairs
But so far away
And i recall all your
Hands and your plans moving me
The sense that it made
A street serenade.
The song "Waxing or Waning" by Better Than Ezra talks about a person who is trying to make their dreams come true by moving to the city. They are leaving behind their old life, represented by the note to their friend Sal, and trying to make it on their own. The song shows the struggles and challenges that come with moving to a new place, from living in a small, cold water flat to getting angry at their parents when they reflect back on their past. However, despite these difficulties, the song is ultimately hopeful. The singer sees the person they are singing about as someone with dreams and schemes, and they recall the plans that they made together, in the form of a street serenade.
Line by Line Meaning
You in your coat
I see you wearing your coat
Writing a note, "dear sal, i hope you'll agree..."
I see you writing a note addressed to Sal and hoping you will agree with what you say
Then catching a bus, just after dusk, a one way trip to the city.
I see you catching a one-way bus trip to the city after dusk
A cold water flat. a hot plate, a hat. the want ads are strewn on the floor.
I can see that you are living in a small apartment with few belongings, and you have thrown the want ads on the floor
And you get so mad, when your ma and dad reflect when you look in the mirror.
It seems to me that you get angry when your parents comment on your appearance when you look in the mirror
But i see you there nude at the top of the stairs (but so far away)
I can picture you naked, standing at the top of the stairs (although it feels like you are far away)
And i recall all your dreams and your schemes moving me. the plans that we made, a street serenade
I remember all of your dreams and ideas that inspired me, and the plan we made to sing a song on the street
You can't be like your brother and mike, content just to live and get by.
I know that you don't want to live an average life like your brother and Mike, who are just content to get by
I hope that you're fine, at 13th and 9. Waxing or waning? your call.
I worry about you being okay at 13th and 9. Are you getting better or worse? It's your choice
But i see you there alight at the top of the stairs, but so far away, and i recall all your hands and your plans moving me. the sense that it made, a street serenade.
I still see you at the top of the stairs, although I feel like you are far away now. I remember all the things that you did with your hands and the ideas you shared with me. It all made sense and felt like a beautiful street serenade.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind