In 2012, the band released their second studio album, Even on the Worst Nights, via No Sleep Records. They would also release two EPs - Somewhere in Trinsic and How to Throw a Successful Party - as well as a split seven-inch with Broadway Calls entitled Vision Quest. The band released their third album, Ordinary Silence, in 2013.
Something Better
Mixtapes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I barely speak about anything except long nights
I miss even having a chance to fight
And we're just doing all the same shit
And they're just saying the same things anyway
I'm bored, of course, by this whole thing
And every day I find it harder to relate
I barely care about anything except tonight
It's alright
I'll make it up when I feel alright
And I'm so sick of second chances
These awkward glances seem different than before
I'm sure of myself, temporary
This wistfulness is getting harder to ignore
And maybe we'll find a good way
Just don't count on me
We'll find something better eventually
We'll think about all the good times
And sort through the bullshit that makes us believe
That we can never make a change
I know these streets I've walked along so many times before
Last night, I swear I finally found what I came here for
We sat outside talking about movies and music we hate
Cause there's not much left to like
But we still hold on to the songs that became a reason to live
And the soundtracks to our lives
And maybe we'll find a good way
Just don't count on me
We'll find something better eventually
We'll think about all the good times
And sort through the bullshit that makes us believe
That we can never make a change
The first verse of Mixtapes's song Something Better presents a feeling of boredom and disconnection from the daily routine that surrounds the singer. He barely speaks about anything except long nights, and he misses having a chance to fight, which suggests a lack of passion or a sense of defeat. The repetition of "doing all the same shit" and "saying the same things anyway" reinforces the idea of monotony and lack of novelty. The singer claims to be bored by the whole thing, finding it harder to relate to what's happening around him every day. The second verse begins with a similar refrain, "all night, we got by," implying that the singer, despite his boredom, is balancing his emotions enough to "get by." He claims to barely care about anything except tonight and his wish to make it up when he feels alright. He expresses being "so sick of second chances," which seems to refer to relationships or situations that have failed to meet his expectations. Additionally, awkward glances seem different than before, suggesting a sense of alienation even towards people who he might know. He reflects on the fact that his wistfulness is getting harder to ignore, hinting a deeper desire for a change.
The chorus acts as a bridge between the verses, and the first line, "maybe we'll find a good way," serves as a glimmer of hope amidst monotony and despair. The singer, however, makes it clear that he shouldn't be counted on, acknowledging a sense of impermanence in his feelings and his life. The repetition of finding something better eventually reiterates the idea of change, a need for something new, and the lyrics suggest that something better is achievable. The singer encourages the listener to think about all the good times and sort through the bullshit that makes them believe that they can never make a change, thereby offering some optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright, I get by
I'm doing fine, I'm managing to survive
I barely speak about anything except long nights
I don't have much to say except for talking about how I spend my evenings
I miss even having a chance to fight
I long for the days when I had the opportunity to have disagreements and stand up for myself
And we're just doing all the same shit
We're stuck in a routine, doing the same things over and over again
And they're just saying the same things anyway
People keep repeating themselves and their ideas, it's all becoming dull
I'm bored, of course, by this whole thing
It's no wonder that I'm uninterested in this whole situation
And every day I find it harder to relate
I'm having difficulty connecting with others and finding common ground
All night, we got by
We managed to make it through the night
I barely care about anything except tonight
I don't really care about anything except what's happening right now
It's alright
Everything is okay
I'll make it up when I feel alright
I'll make up for anything I missed once I feel better
And I'm so sick of second chances
I'm tired of constantly needing to give second chances to others and to myself
These awkward glances seem different than before
The uncomfortable looks from others are appearing in a new light
I'm sure of myself, temporary
I have confidence in myself for now, but it may not last
This wistfulness is getting harder to ignore
I'm finding it increasingly difficult to suppress my feelings of longing and melancholy
And maybe we'll find a good way
There's a chance that we'll come across a better path
Just don't count on me
Don't rely on me to necessarily find that path
We'll find something better eventually
We'll eventually discover something better than what we currently have
We'll think about all the good times
We'll remember the happy moments we've experienced
And sort through the bullshit that makes us believe
We'll sift through the lies and nonsense that have shaped our beliefs
That we can never make a change
We'll overcome the notion that we're powerless to make a difference
I know these streets I've walked along so many times before
I'm familiar with these roads, having traversed them many times
Last night, I swear I finally found what I came here for
Last night, I'm positive that I discovered what I had been seeking
We sat outside talking about movies and music we hate
We spent time conversing in the open air, discussing works of art that we despise
Cause there's not much left to like
There isn't a whole lot to enjoy these days
But we still hold on to the songs that became a reason to live
Despite the negativity, we still cling to music that has given us a sense of purpose
And the soundtracks to our lives
Music has played a significant role in our personal histories
Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.