His first album was 'The Great War of Words' followed by 'A Better Man' in 1996 which gained quadruple platinum sales in Ireland. This led to awards for 'Best Irish Male Album' and 'Best Irish Male Artist’. With the release of the album, 'Now That I Know What I Want' he found himself with 3 albums simultaneously in the top 30 of the Irish album charts.
In his varied career he has toured frequently, recorded with Ronan Keating, has acted and has performed in Riverdance and on Broadway. Brian has recently made a number of popular BBC TV programmes in which he sings traditional Irish songs. He has released albums based on the series and also a single ‘You Raise Me Up’. This famous song he originally recorded for Secret Garden and indeed he is also the vocalist on their CD ‘Earth Songs’ where he sings Always There. Secret Garden are Norwegian Rolf Lovland writer of two Eurovision winners (La Det Swinge for Bobbysocks in 1985 and Nocturne for Secret Garden in 1995) and also his Irish partner in the group is Fionnuala Sweeney.
Better Man
Brian Kennedy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say what you say and I'll listen
For a while
Where is you smile?
The one that reminds me to whisper
Like a child
Now hope is gone
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man
Will it be there
The taste that reminds me I missed you
All this time?
You know I still care
I'm walking around in a circle
Like I'm blind
Oh it's been so long
But I'm holding on
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man, oh yeah
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man
Brian Kennedy's song A Better Man is an emotional ballad in which the singer asks for guidance and support. The song is a plea for help and the lyrics suggest a deep sense of loss and vulnerability. The opening line "Open your eyes" is a call for attention, a request to be seen and understood. The singer then asks for understanding from the person listening, stating, "Say what you say and I'll listen for a while".
The song then changes tone as the singer starts to express his pain and confusion. He asks, "Where is your smile? The one that reminds me to whisper like a child". The singer then questions his own strength and raises doubts about his own ability to cope, asking "How can we stay strong? Now hope is gone". The chorus of the song is then introduced, where the singer asks for a reason to believe, a feeling of love that can help him be a better man. The singer's vulnerability is highlighted throughout the song, as he asks for clarity and guidance from those around him to help him be the best he can.
In conclusion, A Better Man is a heartfelt ballad in which the singer expresses his vulnerable side, asking for help and support. The song is filled with emotions of pain, love, and hope, and its lyrics arouse sympathy and understanding in listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Open your eyes
Wake up and see things clearly
Say what you say and I'll listen
Speak your mind and I'll pay attention
For a while
Listen to me for some time
Where is your smile?
Why don't I see that happy expression on your face?
The one that reminds me to whisper
The smile that used to make me talk softly
Like a child
The way a kid talks in a tender manner
How can we stay strong?
What can we do to remain firm?
Now hope is gone
We have lost confidence in the future
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Provide me with a motivating factor to strive for excellence
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man
Give me the affection I crave to become a better person
Will it be there
The taste that reminds me I missed you
All this time?
Will I have that feeling of regret for not being with you all this time?
You know I still care
I'm walking around in a circle
Like I'm blind
I still have feelings for you and I feel like I'm not making progress
Oh it's been so long
But I'm holding on
Despite the time that has passed, I'm still trying to make things work
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Provide me with a motivating factor to strive for excellence
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man, oh yeah
Give me the affection I crave to become a better person
Give me a feeling
The love that I'm needing to make me
A better man
Give me the affection I crave to become a better person
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Provide me with a motivating factor to strive for excellence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PHILIP EDWARD GALDSTON, JONATHAN G LIND, WENDY WALDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Open your eyes 👀
Say what you say and I’ll listen 👂
For a while
Where is you smile?
The one that reminds me to whisper
Like a child 🧒
How can we stay strong?
Now hope is gone
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨
Will it be there
The taste that reminds me I missed you
All this time?
You know I still care
I’m walking around in a circle ⭕️
Like I’m blind
Oh it’s been so long
But I’m holding on
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨 oh yeah
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨
Callum Rickard
I had never heard of Brian Kennedy.
Amazon accidentally sent me a CD of his instead of whatever it was I ordered.
It sat by my bed for ages. Tonight, I decided to rip it to iTunes, and whilst I did, decided to check if Brian had released anything else...
I clicked this video first, based purely on the song-title.
I thought this was an ace ballad. Defo gonna have to investigate further. Nice singer :)
Tony Fitzpatrick
Iv never understood why Brian was not more popular internationally . What a voice !!!!
David Mitchell
🎉 so🎉
Gary Bonner
One of most underrated artists!
Becca Haynes
I can't believe that I ever forgot how beautiful this is. God bless you Brian on your cancer diagnosis, you can beat this! Best wishes xx
Frank Burns
Brian Kennedy's BEST song. A KILLER song!
g m
A beautiful voice and a beautiful man...wish him health and happiness after his operation ❤️❣️❤️
John Conway
I bought the "A Better Man" album back in 1996. I still play it regularly because it is simply far superior to anything I have bought since.
unions100
Same here, amazing ❤
Graeme Glendinning
FAB song, still play it till today, never diminishes, REAL music!
Patrick Stocks
Open your eyes 👀
Say what you say and I’ll listen 👂
For a while
Where is you smile?
The one that reminds me to whisper
Like a child 🧒
How can we stay strong?
Now hope is gone
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨
Will it be there
The taste that reminds me I missed you
All this time?
You know I still care
I’m walking around in a circle ⭕️
Like I’m blind
Oh it’s been so long
But I’m holding on
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨 oh yeah
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨
Give me a reason
I can believe in
Help me to be the best I can
Give me a feeling
The love that I’m needing to make me
A better man 👨