Better Man, Better Off

"Better Man, Better Off" is a song written by Stan Paul Davis and Brett Jones, and recorded by American country music artist Tracy Lawrence. It was released in February 1997 as the first single from his album The Coast Is Clear. The song was Lawrence's eighteenth chart single and 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.[2] It also peaked at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, making it a minor crossover hit.

"Better Man, Better Off"
Single by Tracy Lawrence
from the album The Coast Is Clear
ReleasedFebruary 22, 1997
Recorded1996
GenreCountry
Length3:35
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Stan Paul Davis
Brett Jones[1]
Producer(s)Flip Anderson
Tracy Lawrence
Tracy Lawrence singles chronology
"Is That a Tear"
(1996)		 "Better Man, Better Off"
(1997)		 "How a Cowgirl Says Goodbye"
(1997)

Content

"Better Man, Better Off" is a mid-tempo in the key of D major. 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 Billboard 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 [sic] that adds to the strength of the song." [3]

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Merriman and premiered in early 1997. Tracy Lawrence shaved his mustache off and cuts his mullet off with this video.

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
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] 3
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[5] 8
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] 2

Year-end charts
Chart (1997) Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[7] 37
US Country Songs (Billboard)[8] 8
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References
  1. The Coast Is Clear (Media notes). Tracy Lawrence. Atlantic Records. 1997. 82985-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  3. Billboard, February 22, 1997
  4. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3213." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 26, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  5. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. "Tracy Lawrence Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  7. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  8. "Best of 1997: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1997. Retrieved July 17, 2013.


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