Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Better Off Without You
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the things you used to say
Loving you is just a memory
But that's the way that it's gotta be
I'm better off without you
I'm better off on my own
I'm better off without you
I got to carry on
I'm better off without you
So many miles of memories
Of the way our life used to be
Holding in the morning light
Now I just can't seem to get you off of my mind
I'm better off without you
I'm better off on my own
Better off without you
I know that I must be strong
Ooh, I got to carry on
I can't convince myself
But I know it's true
I'm better off without you
Tables turn, lessons learn
Oh lessons been learned so well
Goes to show that you never know
There's a part of me that can't believe
But if you love somebody you gotta set them free
I'm better off without you
I'm better off on my own
Better off without you
I know that I must be strong
But, I got to carry on
I keep telling myself
That it can't be true true
I'm better off without you
(Better off without you)
I'm better off without you
(Better off without you)
Better off without you
(Better off without you)
Better off without you
(Better off without you)
The lyrics to Tesla's song "Better Off Without You" explore the aftermath of a failed relationship and the struggle to move on. The opening lines "Thoughts of you to start my day, all the things you used to say" reveal that the memories of the ex-lover are still lingering in the singer's mind. Despite this, the chorus asserts that the singer is better off without the former partner and must be strong to carry on.
The second verse expresses the depth of memories shared between the couple, but distant the couple has become from each other. The singer admits that they are struggling to move on as they can't stop thinking about their former lover. The line "Now I just can't seem to get you off of my mind" is the primary expression of their continued obsession with their ex. However, the chorus reassures that being without the former lover is the better path forward, even if it's not easy.
The third verse emphasizes how the breakup taught the singer valuable lessons, as the saying goes, "lessons been learned so well." They acknowledge that it's hard to let go of love but accept the reality and express the liberating idea "if you love somebody, you gotta set them free." The final chorus emphasizes the idea that the singer is better off alone than with someone who's not 100% committed to the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics reveal that while the singer has not entirely forgotten their ex-partner, they have come to terms with the idea that they are better off without them.
Line by Line Meaning
Thoughts of you to start my day
I wake up thinking about you
All the things you used to say
I remember all the things you told me
Loving you is just a memory
Our love is in the past now
But that's the way that it's gotta be
I have to accept that we're over
I'm better off without you
I'm happier being alone than with you
I'm better off on my own
I don't need you to be happy
I know that I must be strong
I have to be strong to move on
I got to carry on
I have to keep going without you
So many miles of memories
I have so many memories of us
Of the way our life used to be
I miss how things used to be with you
Holding in the morning light
I used to hold you in the morning, but not anymore
Now I just can't seem to get you off of my mind
I can't stop thinking about you
Tables turn, lessons learn
Things change and we learn from our experiences
Oh lessons been learned so well
I've learned my lessons from our relationship
Goes to show that you never know
You never know what will happen in a relationship
There's a part of me that can't believe
I can't believe we're really over
But if you love somebody you gotta set them free
If you truly love someone, you have to let them go when it's time
I can't convince myself
I can't make myself believe something that's not true
But I know it's true
I know deep down that we're not meant to be together
I'm better off without you
I'm happier and better off without you in my life
Better off without you
I don't need you around to be happy
Better off without you
I'm better off without you in my life
Better off without you
I don't need you to be happy
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKE STOCK, MATT AITKEN, PETER WATERMAN, MATTHEW JAMES AITKEN, PETE WATERMAN, MICHAEL STOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timothy Henderson
This song helped me leave a 14 year relationship that was destroying to many peoples lives I'm better off thank you tesla from the bottom of my heart.
Jeffery Stanley
Amen timothy keep on climbing. Buddy
How2BecomeAChristian
My recently divorced friend told me this song made him ball like a baby the other night. I said, good, it means your healing from the hurt and the grieving process is right on course. I pray my friend and others one day listen to this song and feel real joy. Then the song will have fully done it's job. THANKS TESLA! We're not better off without you - so keep writing and touring!!!
Jeffery Stanley
Well I had been with the same girl we was 15,, but I fucked it up, I had the best lady on the planet,, words escape me, I had two other wife's in between 4 kids ,,with one and one kid by the other, and two with Donna I got hurt real bad ,, I was 26 and my Donna came got me again ,, we stayed together until August 10 th,, of 0021, at 8.15 pm, the Lord came got her COVID killed her Sept 15 Jesus came got my brother ,my mama two uncles ,all in a 10 month window, they are better off with out me,, I been such a bastard ,I'm paying for it now, I miss them so much, GOD help me and your friend, hug your family extra tight tonight, don't let em go, sorry to be so long ,, I needed to take the blame
1wanda909
I have been a fan for about 25 years. You made some great memories with an ex husband and helped me through some tough times. Whenever I here you I can't help but smile and think of Jeremy. Thank you so much for your music.
John Yarnell
One of the most underrated guitarists of all time
Shawn Patterson
I like Tesla's guitar guys wow the ear and influence that shaped their soul and tone.i have only a few u can compare with talent and love and emotion.yeah,that pretty much sumS it up .these guys deserve a guitar hall of Fame award for American anthems.they made us feel some kinda way when we heard lovesongs intro or what you gives leads and fills damn that's a beast of a solo and couldn't be more perfectly written to fit a tune .from a fellow guitarist from another genre hats off to you guys .you made me want to play guitar and influenced my soul .
David Durbiano
Yes sir, he never got the respect he deserved. The beginning of What you give , is amazing!
Angie Rucker
Totally agree 100%
weaverswhitetails
One of the best under rated bands of all time... I hope they never stop writing about my life!!