They began in August of 2013 with no intention of being a band. Originally, they began practicing together for a one time feature with an indie music promoter. But their chemistry and sound gained some attention, and they were invited to several small gigs which gained further attention. Shortly after, their status as a band became official.
Something Better
The Ransom Collective Lyrics
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A heart of stone and crooked teeth
I cursed the dirt behind my heels
Oh I curse the one who doesn't know how I feel
Of all the things I've said in vain
You know I never mentioned you by name
And though it's all in the past
'Cause all my life
I've seen these skies
It's paradise, paradise
And every time
I leave this place
I'm terrified, terrified.
What if it just in my head
I should've listened to you instead
And all those times when I tried to hard
When all along I should have stayed on guard
You'd think that I would have learned by now
But I'm still working on learning how
To keep my mind in a quiet state
To finally keep my head on straight
'Cause all my life
I've seen these skies
It's paradise, paradise
And every time
I leave this place
I'm terrified, terrified.
The song "Something Better" by The Ransom Collective describes a person's struggle with inner turmoil and their attempts to find something better in life. The first verse implies that the singer is a stoic and indifferent individual whose past experiences have left them emotionally numb. They are plagued by a sense of bitterness and regret as they curse themselves and those who don't understand their true feelings. The lyrics show that the singer is still carrying the weight of their past and the pain that has scarred them, never imagining that it would affect them for so long. The phrase "heart of stone and crooked teeth" is a metaphor that conveys the sense of emptiness and hopelessness the singer feels.
In the second verse, the singer looks back on their life and laments the opportunities they have squandered. They regret not taking the advice of a more experienced person and failing to be vigilant in life, leading to tumultuous experiences. This verse casts the singer as someone who is always chasing something better, hoping to escape their pain, but they start to realize that they will always struggle. The phrase "I'm still working on learning how/ To keep my mind in a quiet state/ To finally keep my head on straight" is a reminder that the singer is not perfect, but they are willing to keep trying to get better.
The chorus is a commentary on the singer's life. They know that they live in a paradise, but every time they leave it, they become terrified, which implies the fear of the unknown. The lines "All my life/ I've seen these skies/ It's paradise, paradise" reflects a form of contentment despite the struggles faced, with the line "every time I leave this place/ I'm terrified, terrified" showcasing the fear that plagues the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
No matter what you say to me
Nothing you say to me can change my heart and my flaws.
A heart of stone and crooked teeth
I am indifferent and unchangeable, and I have my imperfections.
I cursed the dirt behind my heels
I regret where I've been and what I've done before.
Oh I curse the one who doesn't know how I feel
I despise the person who doesn't understand me.
Of all the things I've said in vain
Most of the things I've said don't make any sense.
You know I never mentioned you by name
I never specifically talked about you.
And though it's all in the past
Everything is in the past. It's over.
Oh I never could've known how long this would last
I never expected that this would go on for so long.
'Cause all my life
Throughout my life
I've seen these skies
I have witnessed these beautiful, dream-like moments.
It's paradise, paradise
It's pure bliss and happiness.
And every time
But every single time
I leave this place
When I am about to leave this paradise
I'm terrified, terrified.
I am terrified of what could happen next once I leave.
What if it just in my head
What if everything that I am feeling is not real
I should've listened to you instead
Maybe I should have taken your advice to heart.
And all those times when I tried to hard
And the times when I pushed myself too much.
When all along I should have stayed on guard
When I should have been more careful about my approach.
You'd think that I would have learned by now
You would expect me to be more experienced by now.
But I'm still working on learning how
But I am still trying to understand how to do it better.
To keep my mind in a quiet state
To keep my thoughts in peace and undisturbed.
To finally keep my head on straight
To finally avoid getting confused and maintain my focus.
Contributed by Micah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.