Better Off
Mike Tramp (of White Lion) Lyrics
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Shot gun blast from a young mans past
Couldn't take no more
Had to even the score
Old man dies with the truth he denies
He won't harm no one
Not his only son
Standing with the gun on his shoulder
[Chorus]
Is he better off now
That his father is dead
Ever since a boy he's been trying to forget
Mama never was what a mother should be
But a loser
Such a loser
Jumped on his bike he would ride all night
Run away from it all
Leave the nightmare behind
Wake in the morning in a brand new place
Where the people he'd meet
Didn't know his face
He don't really know where he's going
And he can't forget where he's been
[Chorus ]
Fly on your wings
Up to the sky
Only your dreams can heal you
Away from the dark
Into the light
Now you can see the real you
Standing with your life on your shoulders
Never thought you'd live to be older
The song "Better Off" by Mike Tramp (of White Lion) tells the story of a young man who has experienced a traumatic childhood. The "shotgun blast from a young man's past" represents the damage that has been done to him and the need to take revenge on his abusive father. However, even when his father dies, he is left with the burden of his past and struggles to forget the pain that he has faced. The lyrics suggest that he may be "better off" now that his father is dead, but it also acknowledges that he still carries the scars of his upbringing.
The song goes on to describe how the young man leaves his home behind and travels to a new place where no one knows him, hoping to escape his difficult past. He is searching for a fresh start and a chance to be someone new. However, despite his efforts to leave the pain behind, he cannot forget what has happened to him, and he carries that weight with him as he moves on with his life.
Ultimately, the song is about the struggle to overcome the trauma of the past and find a sense of identity and purpose in life. It acknowledges the pain and difficulties that people face, but also emphasizes the importance of looking forward and finding hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Shot gun blast from a young mans past
The impact of a traumatic event from his childhood has lingered on and its effects are still being felt in his present.
Couldn't take no more
The emotional toll of the past event was too much for him to bear any longer.
Had to even the score
He felt that he needed to take revenge to rectify the wrongs he had suffered.
Old man dies with the truth he denies
His father passed away without admitting the truth about the past event, which has made it harder for him to let go of the pain.
He won't harm no one
Despite being wronged, he doesn't wish harm on anyone.
Not his only son
His father had other children, whom he either didn't treat the same way or who didn't go through the same experience as him.
Standing with the gun on his shoulder
He's holding a gun, which symbolizes his feelings of anger and desire for revenge.
Never thought he'd live to be older
He never imagined he'd survive the trauma and make it to the present day.
Is he better off now
He wonders if his life would be better if his father had never existed or if he had died earlier.
That his father is dead
He thinks his life would be better now that his father is no longer a part of it.
Ever since a boy he's been trying to forget
He's been trying to move on from the traumatic event since childhood.
Mama never was what a mother should be
His mother didn't fulfill the role of a supportive parent as she should have.
But a loser
His mother may have been unsuccessful in life, which could have affected her parenting skills as well.
Jumped on his bike he would ride all night
He used to escape from his problems by going on long bike rides at night.
Run away from it all
He wanted to leave everything behind and start a new life elsewhere.
Leave the nightmare behind
He sought to leave the traumatic memories and their effects behind him.
Wake in the morning in a brand new place
He hoped that starting over in a new place would bring him peace and a fresh start.
Where the people he'd meet
He'd go to a place where he knew nobody, hoping to start life afresh.
Did not know his face
He wanted to escape his past and not be recognized or judged by it.
He don't really know where he's going
He's unsure of what his future holds and where exactly he wants to end up.
And he can't forget where he's been
The past event still haunts him and he can't completely let go of it.
Fly on your wings
He needs to rely on his own strength and resources to move forward in life.
Up to the sky
He should aspire to greatness and move towards a better future.
Only your dreams can heal you
He can only find true healing and contentment in pursuing his dreams and aspirations.
Away from the dark
He should move away from the negative influences that have been weighing him down.
Into the light
He must embrace positivity, hope, and a brighter future.
Now you can see the real you
By moving past the traumatic event and pursuing his dreams, he can uncover his true identity and potential.
Standing with your life on your shoulders
He has faced many challenges in life but he is still standing, taking responsibility for his future.
Never thought you'd live to be older
He's grateful to have made it this far, considering his difficult past experiences.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MIKE TRAMP, OLIVER STEFFENSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind