Better As A Memory
Kenny Chesney Lyrics


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I move on like a sinner's prayer
Letting go like a levee breaks
Walk away as if I don't care
Learn to shoulder my mistakes
I'm built to fade like your favorite song
I get reckless when there's no need
Laugh as your stories ramble on
Break my heart but it won't bleed
My only friends are pirates, it's just who I am
I'm better as a memory than as your man

I'm never sure when the truth won't do
I'm pretty good on a lonely night
I move on the way a storm blows through
I never stay, but then again, I might
I struggle sometimes to find the words
Always sure until I doubt
Walk a line until it blurs
Build the walls too high to climb out
I'm honest to a fault, it's just who I am
I'm better as a memory than as your man

I see you lean in, you're bound to fall
I don't wanna be that mistake
I'm just a dreamer, nothing more
You should know it before it gets too late

'Cause good-bye's are like a roulette wheel
You never know where they're gonna land
First you're spinning, then you're standing still
Left holding a losing hand
One day you're gonna find someone
Right away, you'll know it's true
That all of your seeking's done
Was just a part of the passing through
Right there in that moment
You'll finally understand




That I was better as a memory than as your man
Better as a memory than as your man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kenny Chesney's song "Better as a Memory" are about a man who is difficult to hold on to. He moves on quickly like a sinner's prayer and lets go with the same ease as a levee breaks. He tries to act as if he doesn't care about leaving, but the truth is that he struggles sometimes to find the words to express himself. The man admits that he is honest to a fault, and though he tries to be reliable, he is ultimately better as a memory than as someone's partner.


The chorus reinforces this idea: "My only friends are pirates, it's just who I am. I'm better as a memory than as your man." He accepts that he is not cut out for long-term commitment or deep emotional connections, and prefers to be remembered for the moments he shared with someone instead of being held accountable for any mistakes or shortcomings. He sees himself as someone who fades away like a favorite song, but he is okay with that because he believes that goodbyes are like a roulette wheel and you never know where they are going to land.


The bridge of the song provides a glimmer of hope for the listener who may relate to the man's transient nature: "One day you're gonna find someone, right away, you'll know it's true. That all of your seeking's done, was just a part of the passing through. Right there in that moment, you'll finally understand, that I was better as a memory than as your man." It suggests that the singer's inability to settle down is a temporary phase and that the person he leaves behind will eventually move on and find someone who is meant to stay.


Line by Line Meaning

I move on like a sinner's prayer
I'm good at leaving things behind, just like how a sinner would ask for forgiveness and move on


Letting go like a levee breaks
I let go of things suddenly, like how a levee would break and let go of water


Walk away as if I don't care
I pretend to be indifferent while walking away


Learn to shoulder my mistakes
I accept and bear the consequences of my own mistakes


I'm built to fade like your favorite song
I am meant to fade from your life, just like how a favorite song slowly fades away


I get reckless when there's no need
I can be foolish or careless without reason


Laugh as your stories ramble on
I find your endless stories funny and cannot retain interest


Break my heart but it won't bleed
Emotions won't affect me as much even if they hurt me deep down


My only friends are pirates, it's just who I am
I prefer to keep the company of adventurous and strong-minded people, even if they are illegal and rebellious


I'm better as a memory than as your man
I realize that I am just not the right person for you, and it is better to leave you with fond memories of me than to stay and disappoint you


I'm never sure when the truth won't do
I don't always tell the truth, especially when the truth would hurt others


I'm pretty good on a lonely night
I am comfortable being alone and don't need much company


I move on the way a storm blows through
I leave suddenly and without warning, just like how a storm would pass through


I never stay, but then again, I might
I usually leave, but in rare cases, I may stay


I struggle sometimes to find the words
I sometimes have difficulty expressing myself effectively


Always sure until I doubt
I am confident in my decisions until I start to question them


Walk a line until it blurs
I push boundaries until it isn't clear where they are


Build the walls too high to climb out
I often create barriers between myself and others that are difficult to climb and penetrate


I'm honest to a fault, it's just who I am
I am always truthful, even when it may not be the best course of action


I see you lean in, you're bound to fall
I can tell that you are starting to get attached to me, and it will end in heartbreak for you


I don't wanna be that mistake
I don't want to be the reason for your pain or regret


I'm just a dreamer, nothing more
I have big ideas and aspirations, but they may not necessarily come to fruition


You should know it before it gets too late
You need to understand that I am not the right person for you before it's too late


'Cause good-bye's are like a roulette wheel
Saying goodbye is unpredictable and can result in various outcomes, much like a game of roulette


You never know where they're gonna land
You can't predict where saying goodbye will take you


First you're spinning, then you're standing still
The process of saying goodbye can feel disorienting and confusing


Left holding a losing hand
You may be in a worse position after saying goodbye than you were before


One day you're gonna find someone
Eventually, you will find someone who is right for you


Right away, you'll know it's true
You will know that they are right for you immediately


That all of your seeking's done
Your search for the right person will be over


Was just a part of the passing through
The long search was just a part of the journey


Right there in that moment
At that point in time


You'll finally understand
You will finally comprehend the situation




Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Lady Goodman, Scooter Carusoe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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