| ←Satan's Bed | Better Man | Aye Davanita→ |
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Better Man lyrics handwritten by Eddie Vedder as seen on Vitalogy.
"Better Man" is the eleventh song of Vitalogy, the third album of Pearl Jam. The song was written by Eddie Vedder before his entry in the band, and was released first when the vocalist was in the same role for his former band Bad Radio. Besides, the song changed its style to fit on Pearl Jam's way.
Background[]
Written long before Vedder enter on Pearl Jam, "Better Man" was first played when he was the vocalist of Bad Radio, a funk rock group influenced by Red Hot Chilli Peppers. For this influence, the song was pretty much different from what it would become when Pearl Jam recorded it. It was intended for the song to be in Vs., but the band chose to put it on Vitalogy.
Becoming a ballad, "Better Man" starts with a sad melody but then goes on a crescendo of active guitar chords. Despite the rythm, the lyrics tells the story of an abusive relationship, and according to Vedder: "it's dedicated to the bastard that married my Momma".
Analysis[]
The song is about a woman who waits in bed, apprehensive for her partner to arrive home. While waiting, she practices what to say to manifest her desire for breaking up with him. Suddenly, the man opens the door and enters the room while she pretends to sleep. She seems to lose courage to break up with him. The reason is not specified but it's likely that she suffers physical and/or psychological abuse.
The woman worries and thinks that no one must discover what she's going through. She remembers a time when she was strong and believed she would have a good future, even recalling when he was a good man, but she is sure that man is gone. The main chorus leads you to believe that she has lost her courage to put an end to the relationship so she lies to herself, saying she's in love with him and can't find anyone better. In the end, it is implied that the story continues over and over because of the weakness of a suffering woman.
Music & Lyrics[]
Waitin', watchin' the clock, it's four o'clock, it's got to stop
Tell him, take no more, she practices her speech
As he opens the door, she rolls over
Pretends to sleep as he looks her over
She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man
She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Oh
Talkin' to herself, there's no one else who needs to know; she tells herself
Oh
Memories back when she was bold and strong
And waiting for the world to come along
Swears she knew it, now she swears he's gone
She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man
She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
She lies and says she still loves him, can't find a better man
She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Yeah
She loved him, yeah... she don't want to leave this way
She feeds him, yeah... that's why she'll be back again
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better... man