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.
In the song “Waxing or Waning?” by Better Than Ezra, the lyrics seem to tell the story of a young person who has left their hometown to go to the city. The person is leaving behind their family, as demonstrated by the note they leave behind for “Sal.” The lyrics suggest the character is not content with their hometown and is seeking something more in the city. However, the transition is proving difficult, as they now live in a “cold water flat” with “the want ads are strewn on the floor.” The character is frustrated with their life and seems to long for something more, perhaps reflected in the lyrics “you can’t be like your brother and Mike, content just to live and get by.”
Despite the difficulties, the lyrics also suggest hope in the character’s aspirations and dreams. The person is “nude at the top of the stairs” and there’s a sense that they are ready to embark on something, to reveal themselves to the world. The “street serenade” mentioned in the lyrics further emphasizes the hope the character has for their future - the idea that they are going to do something big and make a difference. The vagueness of the lyrics create a sense of wide-eyed, youthful hopefulness in the character, making the song much more than just a sad story about leaving home.
Line by Line Meaning
You in your coat
You're wearing your coat.
Writing a note,
You're writing a note.
"dear sal, i hope you'll agree..."
The note is addressed to Sal, and you hope they will agree.
Then catching a bus,
You're catching a bus.
Just after dusk,
It's just after sunset.
A one way trip to the city.
You're going on a one-way trip to the city.
A cold water flat.
You live in a cold water flat.
A hot plate,
You have a hot plate.
A hat.
You own a hat.
The want ads are strewn on the floor.
You've scattered the want ads all over the floor.
And you get so mad, when your ma and dad
You become angry when you see your reflection and think of your parents.
Reflect when you look in the mirror.
You contemplate your identity when you look in the mirror.
But i see you there
The singer sees you.
Nude at the top of the stairs
You are naked at the top of the stairs.
(but so far away)
You seem distant.
And i recall all
The artist remembers
Your dreams and your schemes
The artist remembers your aspirations and plans.
Moving me.
Those dreams and schemes had an impact on the singer.
The plans that we made,
The plans the singer and you made together.
A street serenade
A musical performance on the street.
You can't be like your brother and mike,
You don't want to be like your brother and Mike.
Content just to live and get by.
You don't want to settle for a mediocre life.
I hope that your fine,
The singer hopes you're doing well.
At 13th and 9.
The artist is thinking of a location.
Waxing or waning?
The singer is asking if you're on the upswing or downswing.
Your call.
It's up to you.
But i see you there
The singer sees you again.
Alight at the top of the stairs
You're standing at the top of the staircase.
But so far away
You're emotionally distant.
And i recall all your
The singer recalls all of your
Hands and your plans moving me
Your actions and aspirations have affected the singer.
The sense that it made
The impact that you had had is significant.
A street serenade.
A performance on the street is an important memory.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind