Releases include 1998's Super Shitty to the Max! and its 1999 follow-up, Grande Rock. The Hellacopters also teamed with Gluecifer for a 1999 split release, Respect the Rock America. White Trash Soul appeared in early 2001, followed by the European release of High Visibility. That record wouldn't see American soil for a whole year (while it was a major-label release at home, it appeared on the independent Gearhead imprint in the States), while they garnered awards in their home country. Universal opted to release the band's next full-length set, 2002's By the Grace of God, on both sides of the ocean, while fans who were having trouble keeping up with their many singles and compilation tracks got relief with two odds-and-sods compilations, Cream of the Crap! and Cream of the Crap!, Vol. 2. Despite being filled with old-fashioned rock & roll, the band's 2005 release was titled Rock & Roll Is Dead. Geoff Ginsberg, All Music Guide
Better Than You
Hellacopters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're bored
He's out having fun
You're always on the lookout
And he's a star
You struggle with do's
And who the hell you are
So c'mon, c'mon you want to get on
You're a giver he's a getter
Just a little bit better than you
He's a doctor
You're a nurse
He's got unbounced checks
You got an empty purse
He's a hundred and ten
When you got a hunch
He's a five star king
And you're out to lunch
So c'mon, c'mon you want to get on
If you only knew
You're a giver he's a getter
Just a little bit better than you
He's piling trophies
You're on the hunt
He's of royal descent
You're a bonafide runt
He's the don of your humiliation
While you paint it pink
He cranks Brownsville Station
So c'mon, c'mon you want to get on
The Hellacopters' song "Better Than You" is an ode to a character who is constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling inadequate as a result. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is always trying to keep up with someone who is perceived as being better or more successful than them. Lines such as "You're a knife to his gun/ When you're bored/ He's out having fun" and "He's piling trophies/ You're on the hunt" illustrate this feeling of always being one step behind.
The song also touches on themes of social status and class differences. The line "He's of royal descent/ You're a bonafide runt" highlights the idea of someone feeling inferior because of their background or upbringing. The contrast between the doctor and nurse, as well as the reference to unbounced checks and an empty purse, further emphasizes this dynamic.
Overall, "Better Than You" is a commentary on the toxic and damaging nature of constantly comparing oneself to others and chasing after an unattainable standard of success.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a knife to his gun
You're at a disadvantage in comparison to him
When you're bored
In times of leisure, you're not as interesting as he is
He's out having fun
He's engaging in enjoyable activities while you're not
You're always on the lookout
You're constantly vigilant and paranoid
And he's a star
He's famous or highly regarded
You struggle with do's
You're indecisive and unsure of what to do
And who the hell you are
You don't have a strong sense of identity
So c'mon, c'mon you want to get on
You're eager to be on his level
If you only knew
You're unaware of what you're up against
You're a giver he's a getter
You're selfless while he's selfish
Just a little bit better than you
He's only slightly superior to you
He's a doctor
He has a prestigious profession
You're a nurse
Your profession is not as highly regarded as his
He's got unbounced checks
He has more money and financial freedom
You got an empty purse
You don't have much money
He's a hundred and ten
He's at the top of his game
When you got a hunch
You're not very confident in your abilities
He's a five star king
He's highly respected and successful
And you're out to lunch
You're not attuned or aware of what's happening
You're a giver he's a getter
You're selfless while he's selfish
Just a little bit better than you
He's only slightly superior to you
He's piling trophies
He's accomplished many achievements
You're on the hunt
You're still working towards your goals
He's of royal descent
He comes from a highly respected family
You're a bonafide runt
You're not very physically impressive
He's the don of your humiliation
He's responsible for your feeling of shame
While you paint it pink
You're distracted or focused on something trivial
He cranks Brownsville Station
He's enjoying himself and listening to music
So c'mon, c'mon you want to get on
You're eager to be on his level
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES ALAN HETFIELD, LARS ULRICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind