Better

by **Soulmonster** Tue Aug 31, 2010 4:56 pm

BETTER

Albums:

Chinese Democracy, track no. 3, November 2008.

Written by:
Axl Rose and Robin Finck. Richard wrote the second half of the chorus riff.

Musicians:
Axl Rose – lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, piano, guitar
Robin Finck – lead guitars, keyboards
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal – lead guitar
Buckethead – lead guitar
Paul Tobias – rhythm guitar, piano
Richard Fortus – rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson – bass, backing vocals
Dizzy Reed – keyboards, piano, synthesizer, backing vocals
Chris Pitman – keyboards, programming, sub bass, backing vocals, bass, 12 string guitar, mellotron
Bryan "Brain" Mantia – drums, percussion
Frank Ferrer – drums, percussion

Live performances:
'Better' was played live for the first time on May 12, 2006, at the Hammerstein Ballroom, USA. In total it has, as of {UPDATEDATE}, at least been played {BETTERSONGS} times.

Notes:
An early instrumental version of the song was called "Three Dollar Pyramid".

Better
From the alternative Red Hand album artwork
Credit to troccoli

Better
From the alternative Grenade album artwork
Credit to troccoli

Lyrics:

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

The hardest part
This troubled heart
Has ever yet been through now

Was heal the scars
That got their start
Inside someone like you now

For had I known
Or I'd been shown
Back when how long it'd take me

To break the charms
That brought me harm
And all but would erase me

I never won
Or thought I could
No matter what you'd pay me

Replay the part
You stole my heart
I should have known you're crazy

If all I knew
Was that with you
I'd want someone to save me

It'd be enough
But just my luck
I fell in love and maybe

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

So bittersweet
This tragedy
Won't ask for absolution

This melody
Inside of me
Still searches for solution

A twist of faith
A change of heart
Cures my infatuation

A broken heart
Provides the spark
For my determination

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
You know I know better
Now I know you better

I never wanted you to be so full of anger (anger)
I never wanted you to be somebody else
I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves
I only wanted you to see things for yourself

All that I wanted was

Now I know you better
Now we all know better
All that I wanted was

Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
Na na na na
(cont. thru verse)

If I were you
I'd manage to
Avoid the invitation

Of promised love
That can't keep up
With your adoration

Just use your head
And in the end
You'll find your inspiration

To choose your steps
And won't regret
This kind of aggravation

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

No one ever told me when
I was alone
They just thought I'd know better, better

Quotes regarding the song

In "Better" I actually did these background bluesy riffs in the second verse right before the second chorus. I did some fretless stuff about the big bridge before the last choruses.

Ultimate Guitar, July 2014

I was adding to ideas that were already there. The entire record was written when I joined the band, except for, I wrote the chorus to 'Better' [plays another part he wrote, the breakdown]. Robin wrote the main riff. [Plays the verse riff]. Which is really interesting harmonically. [Plays more]

Intimate guitar workshop with Richard, November 2014

You know, most of these, in fact almost every song on this album would be done before I came into the band. And there was one section that he was like, "Hey, do you have anything for this?" And that just happened.

KSHE 95, December 5, 2016

Axl wanted something for a part, you know, he was like, "Hey, in this section, do you have something that could go in there?" and so I just came up with that part.[...] I think I just came up with it, you know, I played through it a bunch and came up with a part I liked, and he liked it, too. He had ideas as well, you know, a lot of the stuff that I... when I came in to play on it, he had ideas of what he wanted, you know, just like any producer, it's like the feel that you want or the vibe that he was going for.

StageLeft Podcast, June 1, 2017

by **Soulmonster** Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:56 pm

I had to add last night's Better Smile

.

by DanyYo Wed Feb 29, 2012 2:02 pm

One of the best songs on the album sfhaetdj

by **Soulmonster** Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:09 am

Talking about adding a guitar riff to the chorus of Better:

You know, most of these, in fact almost every song on this album would be done before I came into the band. And there was one section that he was like, "Hey, do you have anything for this?" And that just happened.

KSHE 95, December 5, 2016

by **Soulmonster** Sun Jul 16, 2023 8:32 am

Axl wanted something for a part, you know, he was like, "Hey, in this section, do you have something that could go in there?" and so I just came up with that part.[...] I think I just came up with it, you know, I played through it a bunch and came up with a part I liked, and he liked it, too. He had ideas as well, you know, a lot of the stuff that I... when I came in to play on it, he had ideas of what he wanted, you know, just like any producer, it's like the feel that you want or the vibe that he was going for.

StageLeft Podcast, June 1, 2017

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