Better Man, Better Off
Encyclopedia
"Better Man, Better Off" is the title of a song written by Stan Paul Davis and Brett Jones. It was recorded by American country music
artist Tracy Lawrence
on his 1997 album The Coast Is Clear
, from which it was released in February 1997 as the first single. Lawrence's eighteenth chart single, it peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts in 1997 and reached number 3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It also peaked at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, making it a minor crossover hit.
. In it, the narrator admits his mistakes in a failed relationship, but says that he will be a "better man, better off" for having learned from his mistakes.
magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it lyrically similar to Clint Black
's "A Better Man
". She goes on to say that the production "gives the tune a radio-ready feel, and Lawrence sings with a believeability that adds to the strength of the song."
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence is an American country music artist. He started at a country music restaurant called "Live At Libby's" where owner Libby Knight would help local talent find their way into country music...
on his 1997 album The Coast Is Clear
The Coast Is Clear (Tracy Lawrence album)
The Coast Is Clear is the fifth studio album released by country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It produced five singles: "How a Cowgirl Says Goodbye", "Better Man, Better Off", "The Coast Is Clear", "One Step Ahead of the Storm" and "While You Sleep"...
, from which it was released in February 1997 as the first single. Lawrence's eighteenth chart single, it peaked at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts in 1997 and reached number 3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. It also peaked at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, making it a minor crossover hit.
Content
"Better Man, Better Off" is a mid-tempo in the key of D majorD major
D major is a major scale based on D, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B, and C. Its key signature consists of two sharps. Its relative minor is B minor and its parallel minor is D minor....
. In it, the narrator admits his mistakes in a failed relationship, but says that he will be a "better man, better off" for having learned from his mistakes.
Critical reception
Deborah Evans Price, of BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it lyrically similar to Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
's "A Better Man
A Better Man
"A Better Man" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Clint Black. It was released in February 1989 as the lead and debut single from his debut album, Killin' Time. It was written by Black and Hayden Nicholas. When "A Better Man" went to No...
". She goes on to say that the production "gives the tune a radio-ready feel, and Lawrence sings with a believeability that adds to the strength of the song."
Music video
The music video was directed by Michael Merriman and premiered in early 1997. The video was his first since "Sticks and Stones" in 1992 not to be directed by Marc Ball.Chart positions
"Better Man, Better Off" debuted at number 55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of February 22, 1997.| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 8 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 3 |