Egypt and Red Henry, Both based out of Washington DC, had known each other and played on many shows together. Kevin Murphy and Andy Waldeck, would join up with Chris (Crix) Reardon and Tony Lopacinski even before the dust had settled from their two previous bands breaking up.They hit the ground running, and with the help of a long residency at the famous TRAX night club in Charlottesville ,VA
Soon had a growing regional following. Word of the fledgling bands' powerful stage show, compelling look, and great song writing, reached Coran Capshaw of Red Light Management, and the band was soon under management contract and working hard.
ETA was brought to Bear Tracks recording studio to work with Producers John Alagia, and Doug Derryberry. The result was the album "Simple Machine" which brought the band to the attention of Giant records.
In the summer of 1999, EarthtoAndy signed with Giant records and went to Los Angeles to record the critically acclaimed album "Chronicle Kings".This is the work that is known best by most ETA fans. With a major label budget, The cd got into many hands,and blew many minds. While touring the country in support of CK, ETA met many people and made each and every one of them a fan, and many became friends to this day.
Its difficult to say what was the catalyst for the band deciding to split up, call it an unfortunate set of uncontrollable circumstances, call it the music industry, call it fatigue. In the summer of 2002 EarthtoAndy threw in the proverbial towel, thus ending their hard fought time,and continuing on in peoples hearts and minds. The band members are all friends. It was, without a doubt, the most friendly parting of ways the business has even known. And so their music lives on, and the possibility of re-uniting for a show now and then does as well.
Better Days
Earth to Andy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Worldwide, nigga it's 1999
Shit out of control, sign of the times
I ain't had this much fun since '79
I was only eight then, hadn't been to the pen
Just a young nigga on the front of a swing
Playing football up in Powly High
Too young to ride but it's still Eastside
It's 99 nigga, shit, I know you strapping up
Hell motherfucking yeah, nigga wanna see the end
So next year we can do it all again
Same dogg channel, same dogg time
Only the strong will survive in 99
So much drama and delusion, my conclusion is confusing
Dripping on my memories, twisted off my music
Trying to make my people do things, oh yeah we do's it, we do's it
Here's my number baby girl don't you lose it
It's smoky in this motherfucker while we cruising
And East-side niggas is the shadiest (shadiest)
But them West-side niggas is the craziest (craziest)
Summertime on the grind, baby let me shine, let me shine
Roll with this shit, I'm cold with this shit in my prime
Nigga done time and I never dropped a motherfucking dime
Be smart, fresh start is all you need
First thing first, cause, stop smoking cess weed
You are what you smoke, nigga stop hating
That's why you broke and that's why we celebrating
But life's so hard on a G, that's what they all say
But somehow someway, better days ahead, Freddy's dead
And Betty said Eddie's a fed
Sweaty in bed with a nine to his head
And he fucking with this hood-rat that he met up in dance
Betty getting mad cause Eddie wanna share
But look at how you living for a minute then compare
I love confetti, I always stay ready
Keep some killers by my side and some riders by the telli
I'm ready to do now, who now, you now
Eddie wasn't ready when they drew that, booyow
Two down, with just one gun
My nigga, and who said killin wasn't no fun
I sit alone in the zone with a face of stone
Live the life of Al Capone or Don Coroleone
Tragically casualties and fatalities
And all kinds of funny ass niggas coming after me
My grand pappy once sat me on his lap and he said
Sonny get your money 'fore you end up dead
I never really understood what he said
Until my motherfucking dogg took a slug in his head
Cold way nigga gotta learn his lesson
Slow down and go down, shit you know now
Be smart, fresh start is all you need
First things first cuz, stop smokin cess weed
You are what you smoke, my nigga stop hating
That's why you broke and that's why we celebrating
But life's so hard on a G, that's what they all say
But somehow someway, you got to make a better way
(Somehow someway)
You got to make a better way
(You got to make a better way)
You got to make a better way
(You got to make a better way)
You got to make a better way
(You got to make a better way)
You got to make a better way
(Yeah, better days ahead)
Better days ahead
(Better days ahead)
Better days ahead
That's real.
I feel your pain nigga.
I used to be just like you nigga.
Before I got off in this rap shit.
Shit, nigga did anything to get a dollar.
You know, but one thing I never did do.
I ain't never beg a nigga for nothing or ask a nigga for nothing.
I went out and got my own ya feel me?
So from me to you, man to man.
Better days ahead my nigga.
Shit, keep the faith and get your hustle on.
Cause I'm a get mine regardless.
Nigga whether I'm rapping or on the streets.
I gotta have it.
The song "Better Days" by Earth to Andy tells the story of two young men living in a chaotic world, where violence and drugs are rampant, and the only way to survive is to be strong and smart. The lyrics highlight the struggles of the men living in a tough neighborhood, trying to make ends meet while avoiding the pitfalls of their reality. The song celebrates the resilience and tenacity of people who survive in such a difficult environment, while also warning of the dangers of the choices one makes.
The song opens with a reference to the year 1999, suggesting the end of the century and the beginning of a new era. The singer acknowledges the volatile situation but chooses to celebrate the moment and have some fun, suggesting that it will be another year before they have to endure it all over again. However, the lyrics pivot toward caution, with warnings about violence and drugs, and the need to be smart, have a fresh start, and stop smoking weed to make a better life. Throughout the song, the singer shows empathy with a fellow man, reminding him that better days are ahead with a positive attitude and hard work.
Overall, the lyrics to "Better Days" convey the message of hope in a world often filled with despair. The song tells a story of perseverance and survival in tough circumstances, emphasizing the need to be careful, cautious, and make the right choices to improve one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Celebrate, grab a drink and put a blunt in the sky
Let's enjoy ourselves and relax by smoking weed and having drinks.
Worldwide, nigga it's 1999
It's the year 1999, and we're all experiencing the same issues on a global scale.
Shit out of control, sign of the times
Things are hectic and chaotic, which indicates the current societal state.
I ain't had this much fun since '79
I haven't had this much fun since I was a kid in 1979.
I was only eight then, hadn't been to the pen
I was only eight years old and hadn't been to prison yet.
Just a young nigga on the front of a swing
I was just a child playing outside and having fun.
Playing football up in Powly High
I played football at Powly High School.
Too young to ride but it's still Eastside
I was too young to drive, but I still lived on the Eastside of town.
Homicides didn't happen much, niggas wasn't rapping much
There were fewer murders back then, and people weren't rapping as much as they are now.
It's 99 nigga, shit, I know you strapping up
It's 1999, and I know you're carrying a gun for protection.
Hell motherfucking yeah, nigga wanna see the end
Yes, absolutely, I want to see the conclusion.
So next year we can do it all again
Let's have such a good time that we'll look forward to doing it all again next year.
Same dogg channel, same dogg time
We'll do this again next year in the same place and at the same time.
Only the strong will survive in 99
The year 1999 will only favor those who are able to endure.
So much drama and delusion, my conclusion is confusing
There's a lot of chaos and confusion around me, which makes it hard for me to make sense of things.
Dripping on my memories, twisted off my music
My memories are consuming me, and my music is my escape.
Trying to make my people do things, oh yeah we do's it, we do's it
I'm encouraging my community to take action and make positive changes.
Here's my number baby girl don't you lose it
I'm giving a girl my number and hoping she'll call me.
It's smoky in this motherfucker while we cruising
We're smoking weed while we drive around.
And East-side niggas is the shadiest (shadiest)
People from the Eastside are the most deceitful and sneaky.
But them West-side niggas is the craziest (craziest)
People from the Westside are the most wild and unpredictable.
Summertime on the grind, baby let me shine, let me shine
I'm trying to succeed during the summer, and I want to stand out and shine.
Roll with this shit, I'm cold with this shit in my prime
Come with me and see how great I am while I'm at my best.
Nigga done time and I never dropped a motherfucking dime
I served time in prison, but I didn't betray anyone or cooperate with the authorities.
Be smart, fresh start is all you need
Make wise decisions, and a new beginning is all that's necessary.
First thing first, cause, stop smoking cess weed
The first step is to stop smoking low-quality marijuana.
You are what you smoke, nigga stop hating
You become the product of what you smoke, so stop being negative towards others.
That's why you broke and that's why we celebrating
Your negative attitude is the reason you're unsuccessful, and that's why we're celebrating our success.
But life's so hard on a G, that's what they all say
People believe that being a gangster is difficult and comes with many challenges.
But somehow someway, better days ahead, Freddy's dead
Despite this, I believe that things will improve soon, and someone named Freddy has passed away.
And Betty said Eddie's a fed
Someone named Betty is saying that Eddie is an informant.
Sweaty in bed with a nine to his head
Eddie is anxious and paranoid in bed with a handgun at his head.
And he fucking with this hood-rat that he met up in dance
Eddie is having sex with a woman he met while dancing in the hood.
Betty getting mad cause Eddie wanna share
Betty is upset because Eddie wants to split something with her.
But look at how you living for a minute then compare
Instead of arguing, reflect on your lifestyles for a moment and compare them to each other.
I love confetti, I always stay ready
I like to celebrate my success, and I'm always prepared for anything.
Keep some killers by my side and some riders by the telli
I have some dangerous people by my side and some other friends who are loyal to me.
I'm ready to do now, who now, you now
I'm ready to take action now, with anyone, including you.
Eddie wasn't ready when they drew that, booyow
Eddie wasn't prepared when they suddenly attacked him with a weapon.
Two down, with just one gun
Despite only having one weapon, we were able to take down two of our enemies.
My nigga, and who said killin wasn't no fun
Killing can be enjoyable, and it's not as difficult as people think.
I sit alone in the zone with a face of stone
I'm alone, and I'm expressionless and emotionless.
Live the life of Al Capone or Don Coroleone
I'm living a life similar to famous gangsters Al Capone or Don Corleone.
Tragically casualties and fatalities
There are a lot of victims of violence and death because of the way we live.
And all kinds of funny ass niggas coming after me
There are many people attempting to hurt me or deceive me.
My grand pappy once sat me on his lap and he said
My grandfather once gave me advice when I was a child.
Sonny get your money 'fore you end up dead
My grandfather told me to prioritize making money before I end up being killed.
I never really understood what he said
I didn't fully comprehend his advice when he gave it to me.
Until my motherfucking dogg took a slug in his head
I didn't understand the importance of making money until someone I knew was killed.
Cold way nigga gotta learn his lesson
Sometimes people have to go through difficult experiences to learn valuable lessons.
Slow down and go down, shit you know now
Take your time and learn from your mistakes, and you'll be better off in the future.
You got to make a better way
You need to find a better path in life.
Better days ahead
The future holds more promising times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, CECIL WOMACK, JEFFREY ANDREW FORTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind