Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Everybody's Better
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
everybody's better than me
everybody's swell I guess
they're doing well some more or less
everybody's better than I am I think
you know, to be king you don't need a castle
to row, back to shore can sure be a hassle
(why you walk around with your head low down)
everbody's in on the act
too many of them to avoid
it could be that I'm paranoid
I matter as a matter of fact
you know, to be king you don't need a castle
to row, back to shore can sure be a hassle
why you walk around with your head low down
the true king rules without a crown
if your boat's afloat after the typhoon
row it safely back to the lagoon
and never mind the green grass you won't mow
or what it is you have or don't to show
or what it is you can or can't afford
the good are good without reward
you know, to be king you don't need a castle
to row, back to shore can sure be a hassle
(why you walk around with your head low down)
Everybody's better than I am, I think
Everybody's better than me.
Everybody's swell I guess
they're doing well some more or less
Everybody's better than I am I think
you know, to be king you don't need a castle (no no)
to row, back to shore can sure be a hassle
you know, to be king you don't need a castle
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ song “Everybody’s Better” is a poignant and relatable ode to feeling inferior to those around you. Throughout the song, the singer grapples with feelings of inadequacy, comparing themselves to those around them who seem to be doing better in life. Despite feeling like they don’t measure up, the singer acknowledges that material possessions and wealth don’t determine one’s worth as a person. The chorus is a reminder that one doesn’t need to have a “castle” to be a “king” and that success is not measured by these external factors.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of paranoia and feeling like everyone is in on a joke except for the singer. The line “everybody’s acting like I don’t matter” speaks to a feeling of being left out or overlooked by others. The repeated refrain of “why you walk around with your head low down” is a rallying cry to lift oneself up and recognize their own value.
Overall, “Everybody’s Better” is a powerful message about self-worth, reminding us that people are more than the sum of their possessions, and that true success is measured by personal growth and happiness rather than external factors such as social status.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's better than I am I think
I feel like everyone is better than me.
everybody's better than me
I think everyone excels more than I do.
everybody's swell I guess
I assume everyone is doing great.
they're doing well some more or less
Some people are doing better than others, but mostly everyone is doing well.
everybody's acting like I don't matter
People seem to disregard my value.
everbody's in on the act
It seems like everyone is pretending or putting on a show.
too many of them to avoid
There are too many people to evade them all.
it could be that I'm paranoid
Maybe I'm just overly suspicious or anxious.
I matter as a matter of fact
I am important regardless of what others think.
you know, to be king you don't need a castle
You don't need to have everything to be a leader or successful.
to row, back to shore can sure be a hassle
Getting back on track can be difficult.
(why you walk around with your head low down)
Why are you constantly feeling down or defeated?
the true king rules without a crown
A real leader does not require a symbol of power to lead.
if your boat's afloat after the typhoon
If you managed to survive a difficult time.
row it safely back to the lagoon
Make your way back to safety or security.
and never mind the green grass you won't mow
Don't worry about the things you don't have or can't accomplish.
or what it is you have or don't to show
Don't let material possessions define your worth or success.
or what it is you can or can't afford
Money shouldn't dictate your happiness or potential.
the good are good without reward
Being a good person is rewarding in and of itself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sierra Bravo
Joe Gittleman has to be one of the Best Bass players Alive....that groove is Fucking SICK!!!👍👍👍
lonebison
Still one of my favorite albums of all time! Seriously.
Talita Cristiane
mine too!
Neel Sengers
I just heard this song yesterday for the first time at my first rave party. I just downright fell in love with it. Great times.
Jorge Leon
They played this awesome song at the 9:30 club in Washington DC!!! It was F-ing incredible!
Medalion
Pretty much my fave song from this album and why I love the album so
Janko Takac
LOVE!!!!
InflatablePlane
Wow. My senior year in high school. This was the soundtrack to it :).
Director_Coulson
I saw them in New Jersey with the Murphys, and I agree, it was an amazing show.
Elayes
i love this band =)