Daniel Powter released his debut album, I'm Your Betty, in 2000. The album, limited to a very small print, contains ten songs, two of which—"More Than I" and "Negative Fashion"—were featured on the television show Higher Ground. Powter has a music publishing deal with BMG Music Publishing for France.
Daniel Powter's first piano pop single, "Bad Day," debuted not in his home country of Canada, but rather in Europe in mid-2005. It was chosen by Warner Brothers as a submission for commercial production and was subsequently chosen by Coca-Cola as the theme song for an ad campaign in Europe. Additionally, "Bad Day" is currently being used extensively by American Idol in its fifth season. Powter sang the song live at the end of the penulimate show of that season. The song achieved heavy airplay in most European countries, and made it as high as number three on the overall European airplay chart. It did best in Germany, where it peaked at number one in national airplay, Ireland where it peaked at #1 on the Singles Chart, and in the UK, where it peaked at number two in the singles chart and stayed in the top 10 for 13 weeks. In the United States the song peaked at number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 seven weeks after it was released. In Australia, it peaked at number three. The song reached top five in Canada and is now a top 10 hit at Adult Top 40 radio. It was fifth place in the British Record of the Year 2005.
On July 2, 2005, Powter performed at the Berlin installment of Live 8, a simultaneous group of concerts in nine countries intended to raise awareness of poverty in Africa and put pressure on world leaders for aid.
On April 1, 2006, he was named the best new artist at the Canadian Juno Awards.
In March 2008, a song by Japanese singer Haru featuring Powter, "Find My Way", was released. In September, Powter released his third album, Under the Radar.
Powter also performed piano on tracks for what was scheduled to be Marcy Playground frontman John Wozniak's solo album, Leaving Wonderland...in a fit of rage, but the album will now be released under the band's name. Powter will still be given credit for his contributions to the album, particularly the album's single "Good Times".
Best of Me
Daniel Powter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you do me the right way?
Where you gonna be tonight
'Cause I won't stay too long?
Maybe you're the light for me
When you talk to me it strikes me
Won't somebody help me
Was it something that I said, was it something that I did
Or the combination of both that did me in?
You know I'm hoping you'll sing along
Even if it's not your favorite song
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left to say
You know that some of us spin again
And when you do you need a friend
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left for me
And I hate the thought of finally being erased
But baby that's the best of me
Everything's behind you
But the hopeless signs besides you
I'm living in the moment
Have I wasted all your time?
Was it something that I said, was it something that I did
Or the combination of both that did me in?
You know I'm hoping you'll sing along
Even if it's not your favorite song
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left to say
You know that some of us spin again
And when you do you need a friend
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left for me
And I hate the thought finally being erased
But baby that's the best of me, yeah
Baby that's the best of me
You know I'm hoping you'll sing along
Even if it's not your favorite song
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left to say
You know that some of us spin again
And when you do, you need a friend
Don't wanna be there when
There's nothing left for me
And I hate the thought of finally being erased
But baby that's the best of me
The lyrics of Daniel Powter’s song Best of Me convey an individual in search of something more while feeling inadequate. The opening lines of the song, “I was made the wrong way, won’t you do me the right way?/Where you gonna be tonight?/’Cause I won’t stay too long?” demonstrate a sense of vulnerability, as if the person is seeking assurance and validation from someone, possibly a lover. The chorus of the song, “Don’t wanna be there when/There’s nothing left to say…” continues to convey this same theme of fearing rejection and abandonment.
Furthermore, the lyrics “Was it something that I said, was it something that I did/Or the combination of both that did me in?” identify the persona’s anxiety as they question themselves and their actions. However, there is a glimmer of hope as the line “Maybe you’re the light for me” appears, suggesting that the individual may have found someone or something that can help them feel better about themselves.
Overall, Best of Me is a poignant song that expresses the fear, self-doubt, and hope for validation experienced by many individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
I was made the wrong way
I feel like I was born with flaws or faults.
Won't you do me the right way?
Can you help me improve or make me better?
Where you gonna be tonight?
Are you available to spend time with me tonight?
'Cause I won't stay too long?
I might not stay long due to my insecurity.
Maybe you're the light for me
Is it possible that you might be the solution to my problem?
When you talk to me it strikes me
When you speak to me, it hits me in a significant way.
Won't somebody help me
Can somebody assist me, please?
'Cause I don't feel too strong?
I'm feeling weak and vulnerable right now.
Was it something that I said, was it something that I did
Did I do something wrong or hurtful?
Or the combination of both that did me in?
Perhaps it was a combination of my actions and words that caused my downfall.
You know I'm hoping you'll sing along
I'm hoping you'll understand where I'm coming from and support me.
Even if it's not your favorite song
Even if you don't fully agree or like what I'm saying.
Don't wanna be there when
I don't want to be around when
There's nothing left to say
When there's nothing else to talk about or resolve.
You know that some of us spin again
We all have our ups and downs in life.
And when you do you need a friend
During tough times, having someone by your side can be helpful.
And I hate the thought of finally being erased
I'm scared of being forgotten and disappearing completely.
But baby that's the best of me
However, even with my flaws and imperfections, that's the best version of myself.
Everything's behind you
You've moved on from past issues.
But the hopeless signs besides you
You still have a sense of sadness or hopelessness lingering around you.
I'm living in the moment
I'm choosing to focus on the present instead of dwelling on the past.
Have I wasted all your time?
Did I make a mistake, and now you feel like you've lost your time or effort?
And I hate the thought of finally being erased
I'm terrified of disappearing and not making a mark on the world.
But baby that's the best of me, yeah
But even with my fears and faults, that's the best part of myself.
You know I'm hoping you'll sing along
I'm seeking your support and companionship.
Even if it's not your favorite song
Even if it's not your preferred way to help or show care.
Don't wanna be there when
I don't want to stick around when
There's nothing left to say
We have exhausted every conversation or resolution.
And I hate the thought of finally being erased
I'm scared of disappearing from people's memories.
But baby that's the best of me
Despite my anxieties, that's the best version of myself.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kara Dioguardi, Daniel Powter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind