Launching their debut album in 2012 on Copenhagen Records, Lukas Graham quickly became a popular live act in Denmark. That success translated to the rest of Europe and caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records who co-signed them in 2013. The band’s music was first introduced worldwide with the release of their two singles "Mama Said" and "7 Years", the latter of which topped various international charts. Their second album was released internationally on April 1.
Better Than Yourself
Lukas Graham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying I can come and see you
I really don't have time
But promised that I'd come and see you
You're sitting far away
But do you know I sometimes need you
I know that you deserve
The time you got of all the people
Even in the strongest wind
I really wished to every God
That you were innocent
I'm happy and I'm proud
That I can still call you my friend
I hope you read the letters
And the magazines I send
You got your head up
But I don't have my hopes high
I know that you're a good man
And that's what, brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better than yourself
I was sixteen
And we used to roll together
You told me back then
That I was meant for something better
You know in our life
Nothing's gonna change but the weather
It seems it's been forever
Since we really stuck together
I'm living a crazy life
I wish that you could see it too
See a thousand people sing
My song from me to you
Every time I sing it
You know I'm bleeding too
Man I accept you as you are
No I don't need the truth
I got my head up
But I ain't got my hopes high
See I know that you're a good man
And it brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself
I reminisce to back then, when it was you and I
Smoking big fat blunts, drive in movie night
They tried to get you down, but you refused to die
They tried to give you angel wings, but you refused to fly
You'd rather stay in hell, and take your time in jail
They're only punishing a soul that you will never sell
We both know that we owe nothing to each other
But can you blame me, for loving and missing my brother
Oh, oh I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better than yourself
Oh, oh I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better than yourself
In Lukas Graham's song "Better Than Yourself" he speaks on a personal level about a friend who is incarcerated. The song describes the letters and magazines that the singer sends to their friend who is far away from them. He mentions that he doesn't always have the time to visit his friend but promised that he would. The singer expresses the hope that the friend will read the letters and know that they are not alone in their situation, and that they know that they are a good person.
The song also reflects on the time when the two friends were together and reminds the friend of their belief in their potential for being something better. The singer reflects on their success and happiness, and wishes that his friend could see it too. He notes that he knows his friend is a good person and that he should have hope for himself. The singer accepts the friend for who he is and expresses his love and appreciation for their friendship.
Overall, "Better Than Yourself" is a deeply emotional and introspective song that reflects on the value of a true friendship and the hope that even in challenging situations, one can maintain their dignity and hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I got the letter back
I received a response to my letter
Saying I can come and see you
The response stated that I am allowed to visit
I really don't have time
I am busy and do not have much free time
But promised that I'd come and see you
Despite being busy, I made a promise to visit
You're sitting far away
You are currently in a distant location
But do you know I sometimes need you
Even though you are far away, I still feel a need for your presence
I know that you deserve
I am aware and believe that you deserve
The time you got of all the people
You deserve to have time spent with you more than anyone else
I know you never bent
I know that you have always remained strong and unwavering
Even in the strongest wind
You have remained steadfast even in the toughest of times
I really wished to every God
I have fervently prayed to every deity
That you were innocent
I have prayed that you did not commit the crime you were accused of
I'm happy and I'm proud
I feel content and content in my association with you
That I can still call you my friend
I am grateful that despite your situation, we are still friends
I hope you read the letters
I hope that you have received and read the letters I sent you
And the magazines I send
As well as the magazines I have mailed to you
You got your head up
You are holding your head high despite your situation
But I don't have my hopes high
But I do not have high expectations
I know that you're a good man
I know you are a good person at heart
And that's what, brings a tear to my eye
This realization brings tears to my eyes
I'm like, oh
I feel emotional
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
I want you to know that you are not alone in your situation
And there ain't, no
There is not anyone
No one can change it
Who can change it for you
No one can do it better than yourself
You are the only one who has the capability to better your situation
I was sixteen
I was 16 years old back then
And we used to roll together
We used to hang out together
You told me back then
You shared with me in the past
That I was meant for something better
You believed that I was destined for something greater
You know in our life
We both know that in life
Nothing's gonna change but the weather
Only the weather will change, and everything else will remain the same
It seems it's been forever
It feels like it has been an extremely long time
Since we really stuck together
Since the two of us were truly close friends
I'm living a crazy life
I am currently living a hectic and chaotic life
I wish that you could see it too
I wish you were here to experience it with me
See a thousand people sing
Witnessing an audience of thousands singing along
My song from me to you
While I sing my song in dedication to you
Every time I sing it
Every instance that I perform
You know I'm bleeding too
You should know that I am also emotionally invested in this situation
Man I accept you as you are
I accept you for who you are – flaws included
No I don't need the truth
I do not require an explanation, I just want you to know that I support you
I got my head up
I am remaining optimistic and positive
But I ain't got my hopes high
However, I am not holding out for high expectations
See I know that you're a good man
I am aware that you are a virtuous person
And it brings a tear to my eye
This revelation causes me to feel emotional
I'm like, oh
I am feeling emotional
I reminisce to back then, when it was you and I
I fondly remember the times when it was just you and me together
Smoking big fat blunts, drive in movie night
We would smoke marijuana and go to drive-in movies
They tried to get you down, but you refused to die
Others may have tried to bring you down, but you persevered
They tried to give you angel wings, but you refused to fly
Others tried to help you, but you declined their help
You'd rather stay in hell, and take your time in jail
You prefer to remain in your situation and serve your sentence
They're only punishing a soul that you will never sell
Punishing you is not effective, as you will never give up your values
We both know that we owe nothing to each other
We both understand that we do not owe anything to one another
But can you blame me, for loving and missing my brother
I cannot help but love and miss you, as you are like a brother to me
Oh, oh I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
I want you to understand that you have support and are not alone
And there ain't, no
There is not anyone
No one can change it
Who has the power to change your situation
No one can do it better than yourself
You have the ability to improve your life more than anyone else
Oh, oh I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
Again, I want you to know that you are not facing your situation alone
And there ain't, no
There is not anyone
No one can change it
Who can alter your circumstances
No one can do it better than yourself
Only you have the ability to improve your life to its fullest potential
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lukas Forchhammer, Stefan Forrest, Morten Ristorp Jensen, David Labrel, Morten Pilegaard, Rasmus Hedegard, Sebastian Fogh, Brandon O'Bryant Beal, Christopher Steven Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Camacho
I got the letter back
Saying I can come and see you
I really don't have time
But promised that I'd come and see you
You're sitting far away
But do you know I sometimes need you
I know that you deserve
The time you got of all the people
I know you never bent
Even in the strongest wind
I really wished to every God
That you were innocent
I'm happy and I'm proud
That I can still call you my friend
I hope you read the letters
And the magazines I send
You got your head up
But I don't have my hopes high
I know that you're a good man
And that's what, brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better than yourself
🎵🎶🎵🎶
I was sixteen
And we used to roll together
You told me back then
That I was meant for something better
You know in our life
Nothing's gonna change but the weather
It seems it's been forever
Since we really stuck together
I'm living a crazy life
I wish that you could see it too
See a thousand people sing
My song from me to you
Every time I sing it
You know I'm bleeding too
Man I accept you as you are
No I don't need the truth
I got my head up
But I ain't got my hopes high
See I know that you're a good man
And it brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself
🎵🎶🎵🎶
I reminisce to back then, when it was you and I
Smoking big fat blunts, drive in movie night
They tried to get you down, but you refused to die
They tried to give you angel wings, but you refused to fly
You'd rather stay in hell, and take your time in jail
They're only punishing a soul that you will never sell
We both know that we owe nothing to each other
But can you blame me, for loving and missing my brother
Oh, oh I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better than yourself
eji1ru81fu6
"Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind Pt. 2)"
I got the letter back
Saying I can come and see you
I really don't have time
But promised that I'd come and see you
You're sitting far away
But do you know I sometimes need you
I know that you deserve
The time you got of all the people
I know you never bent
Even in the strongest wind
I really wished to every God
That you were innocent
I'm happy and I'm proud
That I can still call you my friend
I hope you read the letters
And the magazines I send
You got your head up
But I don't have my hopes high
I know that you're a good man
And that's what, brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself
I was sixteen
And we used to roll together
You told me back then
That I was meant for something better
You know in our life
Nothing's gonna change but the weather
It seems it's been forever
Since we really stuck together
I'm living a crazy life
I wish that you could see it too
See a thousand people sing
My song from me to you
Every time I sing it
You know I'm bleeding too
Man I accept you as you are
No I don't need the truth
I got my head up
But I ain't got my hopes high
See I know that you're a good man
And it brings a tear to my eye
I'm like, oh...
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself
I reminisce to back then, when it was you and I
Smoking big fat blunts, drive in movie night
They tried to get you down, but you refused to die
They tried to give you angel wings, but you refused to fly
You'd rather stay in hell, and take your time in jail
They're only punishing a soul that you will never sell
We both know that we owe nothing to each other
But can you blame me, for loving and missing my brother, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself, oh
I hope you know you're not alone in that hell
And there ain't, no
No one can change it
No one can do it better but yourself
Christian Oskar
This is something different, it isn't his normal songs you can really hear the pain and sadness in his voice, this is amazing thank you Lukas thank you.
Jose Gonzalez
This one really hits me deep down ive been listening to it since like 8th grade almost daily. It reminds me of my uncle who suffered from alcoholism and how much everyone believed in him and who he was despite what he was putting himself through. I love him so much and i miss him every day!
Samm
Its about his actual family member. Its not just a song...this is trith thats why you feel the pain...he cries when he sings this song. Watch his lives of it...you can hear and see
Kate Borders
Christian Oskar that is true
Raven Danger Navy
Lukas Graham is a band named after the lead singer
stig Christensen
Lukas made this song for his friend serving hard time in jail. Pretty deep but gets even deeper. Just moments before Lukas went on stage live in 2012 he learned that his friend got shot down not knowing if he would survive or not. Worst feeling ever as he decribes besides when his father suddenly died at 61 (which he by the way mention in 7 years)
john edwards
Consider maybe, like many artists, the stories they tell are bigger then the lives they live themselves..
laura mothersole
He has no brother is only a close friend who he calls brother in the song cos they were close
Dark PlasmaYT
No your wrong he did have a brother his brother was old get it now
The Dawar
@Madelyn Gautreau bruh instead of interpreting the song wrong why don't you go check out an interview eh?