Born on born 9th January 1987 in Paisley, Scotland, his father is of Italian descent and his mother Glaswegian, although his father's family have been in Scotland for four generations. Nutini had no formal music training, and was expecting to follow his father into the family fish and chip shop business. He was first encouraged to sing by his music-loving grandfather and a teacher at his school who recognised his talent. He left school to work as a roadie and to sell T-shirts for Speedway and spent three years learning the music business, performing live, alone and with a band, and working as a studio hand at Glasgow's Park Lane Studio.
His big chance came when he attended a concert for David Sneddon's return to his home town of Paisley at the beginning of 2003. Sneddon was delayed, and as the winner of an impromptu pop quiz, Nutini was given the chance to perform a couple of songs on stage during the wait. The favourable reaction of the crowd impressed another member of the audience, who offered to become his manager.
A Daily Record journalist, John Dingwall, saw him performing at the Queen Margaret Union, and invited him to appear live on Radio Scotland. Still only seventeen, he moved to London, and performed regularly at the Bedford pub in Balham whilst still legally too young to drink alcohol himself. Other radio and live appearances followed, including two live acoustic spots on Radio London, The Hard Rock Cafe, and support slots for Amy Winehouse and KT Tunstall.
His debut album, These Streets, produced by Ken Nelson (Coldplay/Gomez), was released on 17th July 2006, and immediately entered the U.K. album charts at number three. Many of the songs on the album, including "Last Request" and "Rewind", were inspired by a turbulent relationship with a girlfriend, and "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" is a true story about encounters with an older woman.
On 29th May 2009 Nutini released his second studio album, Sunny Side Up, after the first single from that album, "Candy", was released on 18th May. In July, he appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, performing "Coming Up Easy". This was released as the second single from the album on 10th August.
Better Man
Paolo Nutini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She thinks the way I think
That girl makes me wanna be better
Took her down Bleecker Street
Saw she drank the way I drink
I kiss the sky to send her blue a letter
That girl
Makes me wanna be a better man
Gonna treat her like a real man can
She's fearless, she's free
Oh she is a real live wire
And that girl
She's got me feeling so much better
Oh you trade all the money in the world
Just to see this girl's smile
All the while, she'll make you feel so much better
Oh that girl, makes me wanna be a better man
And should she see fit, gonna treat her like a real man can
Ah, ah, la la la
Come on in my arms
You make me feel alright
You make me feel alright
You know I might get eager
I might lose my cool
Feel like I'm in detention
In the office at the school
And you'll either love me love me
Or you hate me
But I can see you've got no time
For the in-between
But the reflection in your eyes
Gonna look so much better
I said that girl makes me wanna be a better man
Yeah yeah yeah
And should she see she fit, gonna treat her like a real man can
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Gonna treat her like a real man can
In "Better Man," Paolo Nutini sings about a woman who inspires him to become a better man. The song details how he met this woman and how she makes him feel. It is clear that the connection between them is based on their shared traits and interests, such as the way they drink, think, and their fearlessness. The woman's presence in his life brings him happiness and he wants to make her feel loved and appreciated like a real man would. Throughout the song, Nutini expresses his desire to be better for this woman and to treat her with the respect and care she deserves.
Line by Line Meaning
She makes me smile
She brings happiness to my life and makes me feel good.
She thinks the way I think
We have similar thoughts and ideas, which creates a strong connection between us.
That girl makes me wanna be better
She inspires me to improve myself and become a better version of myself.
Took her down Bleecker Street
We went to Bleecker Street together, which is a special memory for us.
Saw she drank the way I drink
We have a similar drinking style or habits, which brings us closer.
I kiss the sky to send her blue a letter
I am so happy with her that I want to express my love to the universe, hoping that it reaches her in the form of a blue sky.
That girl makes me wanna be a better man
Being with her motivates me to become a better person in all aspects of my life.
Ye should she see fit
If she agrees or chooses to do so.
Gonna treat her like a real man can
I will treat her with love, respect, and care like a real man should.
She's fearless, she's free
She has a fearless and carefree attitude towards life.
Oh she is a real live wire
She is full of energy and always exciting to be around.
And that girl
Referring to the girl he loves.
She's got me feeling so much better
Being with her makes him feel happier and more fulfilled.
Oh you trade all the money in the world
He would be willing to give up everything he has for her.
Just to see this girl's smile
Her smile is priceless and means everything to him.
All the while, she'll make you feel so much better
Being around her will have a positive impact on one's life.
Gonna treat her like a real man can
He will treat her with respect and love like any real man should.
Ah, ah, la la la
A musical interlude with no specific meaning.
Come on in my arms
He wants her to come into his embrace and feel his love for her.
You make me feel alright
Being with her makes him feel happy and content.
You know I might get eager
He might get excited or impatient around her.
I might lose my cool
He might get too emotional or overwhelmed around her.
Feel like I'm in detention
He feels trapped or restricted around her, like being in detention at school.
In the office at the school
A metaphor for feeling trapped or restricted like being in an office at school.
And you'll either love me love me
She will either love him or she won't.
Or you hate me
She will either love him or hate him, there is no in-between.
But I can see you've got no time
She seems busy or preoccupied with other things and may not have enough time for him.
For the in-between
There is no room for ambiguity or gray areas in their relationship.
But the reflection in your eyes
The reflection of his face on her eyes.
Gonna look so much better
He believes he looks better reflected in her eyes.
Yeah yeah yeah
An expression of excitement and agreement.
Gonna treat her like a real man can
He will treat her with love, respect, and care like any real man should.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAOLO GIOVANNI NUTINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AXP66
•2021 lyriks•
She makes me smile
She thinks the way I think
That girl, makes me wanna be better
Took her down Bleecker Street
So she drank the way I drink
I kissed the sky
To send a bluer letter
That girl, makes me wanna be
A better man
Yeah and should she see fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
She's fearless, she's free
Oh she is a real live-wire
And that girl
She's got me feeling so much better
Hmmm, should trade all the money in the world, eh
Just to see this girl smile
All the while she'll make you
Feel so much better
Oh, that girl makes me wanna be
A better man
And should she see fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Ahhh, ahh, ahhh
Ahhh, ahh, ahhhh (Ahhhh, laaaa, la, la) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
(Oh make me feel all right) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
(Oh make me feel all right) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
Oh I might get eager
I might lose my cool
Feel like I'm in detention
In office at the school
And you'll either love me
Or you'll hate me
'Cause I can see you got
No time for the in-between
But the reflection in your eyes
Gonna look so much better
I said, that girl, makes me wanna be
A better man
Yeah, yeah, and if she sees fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
I'm gonna treat her like a real man can
Oh
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Yeah
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Ohhh
@idw9159
She makes me smile
She thinks the way I think
That girl, makes me wanna be better
Took her down Bleecker Street
So she drank the way I drink
I kissed the sky
To send a bluer letter
That girl, makes me wanna be
A better man
Yeah and should she see fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
She's fearless, she's free
Oh she is a real live-wire
And that girl
She's got me feeling so much better
Hmmm, should trade all the money in the world, eh
Just to see this girl smile
All the while she'll make you
Feel so much better
Oh, that girl makes me wanna be
A better man
And should she see fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Ahhh, ahh, ahhh
Ahhh, ahh, ahhhh (Ahhhh, laaaa, la, la) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
(Oh make me feel all right) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
(Oh make me feel all right) Ahhh, ahh, ahhhhh
Oh I might get eager
I might lose my cool
Feel like I'm in detention
In office at the school
And you'll either love me
Or you'll hate me
'Cause I can see you got
No time for the in-between
But the reflection in your eyes
Gonna look so much better
I said, that girl, makes me wanna be
A better man
Yeah, yeah, and if she sees fit
Gonna treat her like a real man can
I'm gonna treat her like a real man can
Oh
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Yeah
Gonna treat her like a real man can
Ohhh
@clippertae
For 3 years i have not been able to listen to this song, ive tried but it crushes me, you see, my partner sent it tto me just before he passed - today, i feel brave and listened to it...finally and tearfully- thank you Paolo
@LiisaJF
😢 I’m so sorry for your loss. I can understand the meaning behind your comment. My partner wakes me up with this playing and I wake with a smile, I just sit and listen ❤
One day, this song will make you smile again. Sending love x
@osiasu
He's underrated because he wants to be... Not fame hungry like the others, down to earth and just disappears in to obscurity for a few years between albums. He's magic.
@EA-wr2jv
Magic indeed
@mannothingtolose1245
can feel it
@eagillum
I wonder too if drugs are a factor.
@mannothingtolose1245
@@eagillum may be LOVE ?drugs are a fact for me tho .Grandson has it right in the song overdose all my family and friends are Dead and well "the drugs don't work Anymore" any more is there ANY more?
@mannothingtolose1245
@@eagillum can't feel it.lol
@43hawker
I was born in 1943 which makes me 77.
I've been listening to this guy for years now and he is like a breath of fresh air, wonderful stuff Paolo, an absolute joy.
@cynthiam3943
I’m a 70 year old lady and really appreciate his music, love his integrity he’s now decided to come back to the stage but unfortunately I can’t afford the tickets to see him live🤷♀️😘🇬🇧