The Susan Tedeschi Band began in 1994 and featured Tom Hambridge and Adrienne Hayes. In 1995 Tedeschi began playing guitar and honing her skills. In December that year she released Better Days to regional audiences. Record contracts were difficult to keep together; however, recording sessions from 1997 were acquired by Richard Rosenblatt, and the band was signed to Tone-Cool Records and Just Won't Burn was released in February 1998 to rave reviews from blues publications.
During 1998 and 1999 Tedeschi toured extensively through out the United States and her spectacular stage presence and powerful voice drew larger crowds. Eventually Tedeschi was opening for John Mellencamp, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, The Allman Brothers Band, Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan. In 2000, Just Won't Burn reached gold record status, rare for such a production. She recorded two tracks with Double Trouble band members Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon for their album.
Tedeschi's voice has been described as a blend of Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, though she explains this is due to sharing the same influences as the two. Her guitar playing is influenced by Buddy Guy, Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King and Doyle Bramhall.
Tedeschi grew up in Norwell, Massachusetts and attended the Berklee College of Music where she received her bachelor of music in composition and performance. Tedeschi had always been musically inclined, performing in musicals, singing for family members, and listening to her father's record collection. She formed a band in high school called the Smoking Section at age 15, sang in a Gospel choir at Berklee and began sitting in with local blues jams at venues in Boston. In 2001, she married Derek Trucks, Allman Brothers guitar player, leader of The Derek Trucks Band, and nephew of founding Allmans drummer Butch Trucks. They have two children, Charlie and Sophia. They currently reside in Jacksonville,FL, and regularly collaborate on each other's albums.
Better Days
Susan Tedeschi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been wrong, wrong for so long
Living life like this, I just can't go on
Without a helping hand
I just can't seem to find my way
So I'll keep waiting, waiting for my better days.
Better Days
Now I said a prayer last night
when my day was through
that I could live my life
the way the Lord would want me to
'cause without a helping hand
I just can't seem to find my way
So I'll keep waiting, waiting for my better days.
Better Days
Tell me I have a home just as long as you have yours
Cause there's a pain in my heart
Oh that I've just got to cure
Please, please baby won't you take me in
There's been too many times I needed to find a true friend
Say you'll always, always tell the truth to me
Cause there's been too many times
that I've been lied to and deceived
and somehow I got lost, and now I can't find my way
Oh I guess I'll keep waiting, waiting for my better days
Better Days
Tell me I have a home just as long as you have yours
Cause there's a pain in my heart
Oh that I've just got to cure
and somehow I got lost, and now I can't find my way
Oh I guess I'll keep waiting. waiting for my better days
Better Days
The lyrics of Susan Tedeschi's "Better Days" tell a story of a person who feels lost and alone, looking for guidance and help to find their way back to a better life. The line "I've been wrong, wrong for so long" suggests that this person has gone through a long period of struggle, perhaps making mistakes that they regret, and is now feeling exhausted and uncertain about how to move forward. The repeated phrase "without a helping hand, I just can't seem to find my way" highlights the importance of community and support in times of hardship, and the hope that someday, things will get better.
The second verse of the song adds a spiritual dimension to the lyrics, calling on the Lord to guide the singer's life and help them live in a way that is true to their beliefs. The plea "tell me I have a home just as long as you have yours" suggests a desire for acceptance and belonging, while the line "there's a pain in my heart that I've just got to cure" speaks to the emotional toll of feeling lost and disconnected from others. Overall, the song is a powerful expression of vulnerability, longing, and the belief that better days are always within reach.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been wrong, wrong for so long
I have been making mistakes repeatedly for a long time
Living life like this, I just can't go on
I can't keep living my life the way I have been living
Without a helping hand
I need help from someone else
I just can't seem to find my way
I am lost and don't know how to find my own path
So I'll keep waiting, waiting for my better days.
I am hoping that things will get better for me in the future
Now I said a prayer last night
I prayed last night
when my day was through
after my day had ended
that I could live my life
that I would be able to live my life
the way the Lord would want me to
in accordance with God's wishes
'cause without a helping hand
because I need help from someone else
Tell me I have a home just as long as you have yours
Say that I have a home with you for as long as you have yours
Cause there's a pain in my heart
Because I have emotional pain
Oh that I've just got to cure
That I need to heal
Please, please baby won't you take me in
Please let me stay with you
There's been too many times I needed to find a true friend
I have been searching for a trustworthy friend many times
Say you'll always, always tell the truth to me
Promise to always tell me the truth
Cause there's been too many times that I've been lied to and deceived
I have been deceived and lied to many times
and somehow I got lost, and now I can't find my way
I became lost and I don't know how to find my path
Oh I guess I'll keep waiting, waiting for my better days
I will keep waiting for things to get better in the future
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dreamlover4359
Here again 2023! 🥰
@Nena800
Listening in 2021..waiting for my Better Days...this song brings it home♡
@ericahonzell7491
So much beautiful, raw talent...Even more so performing LIVE!
@Greg_D99
Beyond incredible. One of my favorites of all times.
@bluesharp59
Happy holidays my friend. This girl is such a great singer. I save this video to my cool videos playlist . A big thumbs up thank you.
@martimsutton5178
One of my top 10 favs!
@kirstenbaileybates
One of my favorite albums
@Llygadydydd
Nice one, like her vocals. Thank you for posting.
@dreamlover4359
Wish it was on Spotify…???
@Greg_D99
You can say that again!