The first band members were skinheads (although not white power skinheads). After a few years and lineup changes, the band and their style changed slightly. By 1996, Al Barr was the only remaining original member of The Bruisers. One notable release by the band was a 7" split with Barr's future band Dropkick Murphys in 1997. After 10 years, the band broke up in 1998. The Bruisers had a reunion concert on September 14, 2005 at The Roxy in Boston. The bill included local acts The Ducky Boys and Tommy & The Terrors, as well as The Casualties from New York City.[1] The Bruisers played a second reunion show on August 31, 2012 headlining the first night of the 2000 Tons of TNT Fest at the Webster Theater in Hartford, CT.
Better Days
The Bruisers Lyrics
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Tearing it up trying to get away
I'm no dreamer I'm just waiting on the day
When my luck changes and things start going my way
And I hope that tomorrow ain't
More of the same
Death and taxes and who's to blame
That's my claim to fame
And that ol' freeway's calling out my name
Looking for better days
Just when I thought I finally got it down
The rent goes up and my car breaks down
It's a wicked thing when luck turns on you
And if it don't work out what are you gonna do
And I hope that tomorrow ain't
More of the same
Death and taxes and who's to blame
I'm a hard working man
That's my claim to fame
And that ol' freeway's calling out my name
Looking for better days
When I get my chance I'll put it all behind
And I'll take whatever comes cause it's all mine
I'm hitting the gas I got the windows down
And just for a while nothings gonna get me down
And I hope that tomorrow ain't
More of the same
Death and taxes and who's to blame
I'm a hard working man
That's my claim to fame
And that ol' freeway's calling out my name
Looking for better days
The Bruisers’s song “Better Days” is an anthem for anyone who is working hard every day just to make ends meet, hoping that one day their luck will change. The song begins with the singer driving his car “tearing it up” trying to escape his current circumstances. He’s not a dreamer, just someone hoping for brighter days ahead where things finally start going his way. The rest of the lyrics repeat this sentiment, emphasizing the frustration of working hard and feeling like you’re getting nowhere because life keeps throwing obstacles in your way.
One of the most relatable aspects of this song is the idea that just when you think you’re making progress, something always sets you back. “Just when I thought I finally got it down, the rent goes up and my car breaks down”. This sentiment is mirrored in the chorus, where the singer hopes that tomorrow won’t be more of the same - the same struggles, the same cycles of disappointment and frustration. But despite it all, the singer remains determined to keep pushing forward, insisting that he’s a “hard-working man” and that nothing is going to keep him down forever.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a car shining bright as day
I own a car and it's in great condition
Tearing it up trying to get away
I'm using my car to escape my current situation
I'm no dreamer I'm just waiting on the day
I have realistic expectations, but still hope for a better future
When my luck changes and things start going my way
I'm waiting for a stroke of luck that will improve my life
And I hope that tomorrow ain't
I don't want tomorrow to be the same as today
More of the same
I don't want my current struggles to continue
Death and taxes and who's to blame
I'm tired of the same old problems and want to see change
I'm a hard working man
I work hard to get by
That's my claim to fame
Working hard is what I'm recognized for
And that ol' freeway's calling out my name
I want to leave my current situation behind and start anew
Looking for better days
I'm hoping for a brighter future
Just when I thought I finally got it down
I thought I finally figured everything out, but...
The rent goes up and my car breaks down
But life throws me unexpected curveballs
It's a wicked thing when luck turns on you
It's unfair when life takes a turn for the worse
And if it don't work out what are you gonna do
I don't have a backup plan if things don't go my way
When I get my chance I'll put it all behind
If I get an opportunity, I'll leave my problems behind
And I'll take whatever comes cause it's all mine
No matter what happens, I'll take the good with the bad because it's my life
I'm hitting the gas I got the windows down
I'm driving fast and enjoying my freedom
And just for a while nothings gonna get me down
I'm feeling good and nothing can bring me down at the moment
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.