Coming out of the streets of Fullerton California, DI was formed in the sha… Read Full Bio ↴Coming out of the streets of Fullerton California, DI was formed in the shadows of The Adolescents back in 1983 in a studio behind a pawn shop. The Adolescents, Social Distortion, Agent Orange and several other local early punk rock pioneers were the breeding ground from which DI was born. DI branded their own form of punk rock that complemented the Orange County Punk scene in sound and attitude. DI was thrown to the forefront after the band performed "Richard Hung Himself" with the original line up that recorded the bands first EP in the 1984 movie, "Suburbia", directed by Penelope Spheeris who's previous production was "Decline of Western Civilization." When the band went through a line up change after the first EP titled Team Goon, members of emerging Fullerton band Almost 21 became the backbone for the sound that DI is known for today. During that line up change, front man Casey Royer known for his cutting and outrageous social commentary through humor is joined by Rikk Agnew of The Adolescents on guitar. Rikk brought to DI a handful of songs written in previous years, such as "Falling Out" and "OC Life" which were featured on Rikk Agnew's solo album, "All By Myself" and were made wildly popular though Casey Royer's style and personality. Over the many years that DI has been on the scene, the band has went though a lot of line up changes that has made DI a very incestuous family of players. Most of the former and present members were all part of the Fullerton and north Orange County Punk scene which proved to be the key ingredient to keeping the personality that makes DI what it is. DI has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe, and everywhere they performed DI left the audience not wanting the show to be over. The current line, which many have stated could very well be the hardest hitting and most cohesive line up ever, made up of Casey Royer on vocals, brothers Eddie and Joey Tatar as the rhythm unit of bass and drums, Chickenhead on rhythm guitar and brought together by lead guitarist Clinton Calton.
DI is proud to bring you the band’s 8th release, “On The Western Front”.

Better Than Expected
D.I. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

it was a hot summer night their eyes met the moon was full he whispered in her ear she blushed and then ted pulled out the knife tracy was a girl she's just like any other girl life was such a drag and she had all the candles burning friends of hers would say she was the model of complexion by making her connection, put her in high places she had a picture inside of her mind runnin' from herself how many more times for her it must be tough to make a decision she was brand new she didn't know what to do comin' home from work she made a left and went out drinkin' thinkin' there was nothin' in a harmless conversation teddy was a friend they went to high school perfect strangers she didn't see the danger in the wheels he was spinnin' teddy had a picture in front of his mind if he had his way it'll be her last time time after time had to make a decision she was brand new, she didn't have a clue she had to have her way she had to cross the line she went a bit too far she was brand new, she didn't have a clue windin' up dead, that's hangin' out with ted teddy had a pretty face that everbody in the place knew he was an animal but only she could reach him they found her not too far from there dead in raised up underware goin' out with teddy was better than expected she had a ..... in front of her mind runnin' from herself for the last time little girl who made the wrong decision she had to have her way, what a price to pay

Overall Meaning

The song "Better Than Expected" by D.I. tells a story of a girl named Tracy who was bored with her life and felt like she was going nowhere. However, one night her life took a tragic turn when she went out drinking with her friend Teddy, who had a dark side. The lyrics suggest that Teddy had been interested in Tracy for a while, but she didn't see the danger in letting him take her out. The night ended with Teddy killing her, and the lyrics suggest that Tracy's desire to have her own way and cross the line ultimately led to her demise.

The first verse sets the scene on a hot summer night with Tracy and Teddy. They appear to be having a good time, but the mention of the knife foreshadows the tragedy to come. The second verse introduces Tracy's character and her dissatisfaction with her life, which suggests that she was more susceptible to taking risks. The chorus highlights the fact that Tracy was new to this type of situation and didn't have the experience to navigate the danger. It also suggests that Teddy was more than he appeared to be, and only Tracy could get close enough to see it.

The third verse is where the tragedy occurs, with Teddy killing Tracy. The lyrics reveal that Teddy had planned it all along, and Tracy's desire to have her way ultimately led her down the wrong path. The final verse describes the aftermath of the murder, with Tracy found dead and Teddy's animalistic nature exposed. The song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking risks and the potentially dire consequences of not knowing who you're getting involved with.

Line by Line Meaning

it was a hot summer night their eyes met the moon was full
On a warm summer evening, they made eye contact under a bright full moon.

he whispered in her ear she blushed and then ted pulled out the knife
He whispered something to her causing her to blush, but then Ted revealed a knife, posing a threat.

tracy was a girl she's just like any other girl life was such a drag
Tracy was a typical girl, just like anyone else, but her life was mundane and dreary.

and she had all the candles burning friends of hers would say she was the model of complexion by making her connection, put her in high places
She had lit candles in her room, and her friends admired her facial complexion, saying she had connections that placed her in high society.

she had a picture inside of her mind runnin' from herself how many more times
She had a mental image of herself, trying to escape from her own thoughts, wondering how many times this would happen again.

for her it must be tough to make a decision she was brand new she didn't know what to do
It was challenging for her to make choices, as she was inexperienced and unsure of what to do.

comin' home from work she made a left and went out drinkin' thinkin' there was nothin' in a harmless conversation
After finishing work, she turned left, went out for drinks and believed that there was nothing wrong with a casual conversation.

teddy was a friend they went to high school perfect strangers she didn't see the danger in the wheels he was spinnin'
Teddy was her acquaintance from high school, and they were almost like strangers. She didn't realize the danger he presented.

teddy had a picture in front of his mind if he had his way it'll be her last time
Teddy had his intentions set. If he could have his way, it would be the last time she would ever be seen again.

time after time had to make a decision she was brand new, she didn't have a clue
Repeatedly, she had to make choices that she wasn't familiar with because she was inexperienced and didn't have much knowledge.

she had to have her way she had to cross the line she went a bit too far
She wanted things her way and crossed her limits, going too far.

she was brand new, she didn't have a clue windin' up dead, that's hangin' out with ted
Again, her inexperience showed, and her poor choices led her to a fatal end for being associated with Ted.

teddy had a pretty face that everbody in the place knew he was an animal but only she could reach him
Despite everyone knowing what kind of person Teddy was, with his charming looks, only Tracy was allowed to approach him.

they found her not too far from there dead in raised up underware
The authorities found her deceased body not far from there, wearing raised up undergarments.

goin' out with teddy was better than expected she had a ..... in front of her mind runnin' from herself for the last time
Dating Teddy was a more satisfying experience than she anticipated, but she still had her inner thoughts running, and this event turned out to be her last.

little girl who made the wrong decision she had to have her way, what a price to pay
Despite being naive, she decided unwisely, and this led to consequences she had to pay with her life.

Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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