Better Man by Ellie Goulding Lyrics Meaning was released on July 14, 2020, as the second single from her fourth studio album, Brightest Blue.
Better Man was written by Goulding along with American songwriters Nate Campany and Sasha Sloan. The song explores the theme of self-improvement and moving on from past relationships. Goulding said in an interview with Billboard that the song is about trying to be a better version of yourself for someone else, but realizing you need to be that better version of yourself first.
The lyrics meanings of the song:
[Verse 1]
You can meet me outside
Take a bruising to the pride
Wouldn’t kick it when you’re down
But I hate it when you lie
Tried to make me lose my cool
And you thought I wouldn’t run
Every time I get a chance
Baby, I’m a better man
The song Better Man lyrics starts with the persona talking about how they are willing to meet their partner outside and take a bruising to their pride but they dislike being lied to. They also mention that their partner has tried to make them lose their cool, but they become a better person every time they get a chance. The persona then describes themselves as being “soft as a shadow and strong as a drink I like, cold as my dollars and warm as the waves I ride.” This implies that they can be both gentle and tough, and they have a balance of both.
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause I’m soft as a shadow and strong as a drink I like
Cold as my dollars and warm as the waves I ride
The pre-chorus repeats the persona’s description of them, emphasizing that they are soft, strong, cold, and warm all at the same time.
[Chorus]
I’m the better man
The chorus repeats the phrase “I’m the better man” four times, suggesting that the persona has come out of their difficult relationship stronger and more confident.
[Bridge]
Out of my head, but you makе me this way, I swear
Rose-tintеd glasses, but trust me, I’m seeing red
The bridge expresses the persona’s frustration and anger towards their partner for making them feel a certain way. They say they feel like they are out of their head but swear that their feelings are valid. They also mention “rose-tinted glasses,” which means they may have been seeing their relationship through a positive lens, but now they are seeing things clearly and are upset.
[Verse 2]
Took the confidence I had
You can watch me take it back
I’m the future and the past
That’s a perfect hourglass
Tried to make me lose my cool
Hold my karma in my hands
Every time I get a chance
Baby, I’m a better man
In the second verse, the persona talks about how their partner took away their confidence, but they are now in the process of taking it back. They describe themselves as being the future and the past, which is symbolize by an hourglass, representing the balance between the two. The persona also holds their karma in their hands, suggesting that they control their destiny and actions.
Biography of Ellie Goulding:
Ellie Goulding is a British singer, songwriter, and record producer born on December 30, 1986, in Hereford, England. She grew up in a small town in the country and began playing the clarinet at a young age. Goulding started writing songs as a teenager and eventually began performing at local pubs and cafés.
In 2009, Goulding release her debut EP, “An Introduction to Ellie Goulding,” which was well-receive by critics and help to launch her career. The following year, she released her debut album, “Lights,” which included the hit single of the same name. The album was a commercial success, reaching the top of the UK album charts and receiving widespread critical acclaim.
Over the next few years, Goulding continued to release successful albums and singles, including “Halcyon” (2012) and “Delirium” (2015), which both reached the top of the UK album charts. She has also collaborated with a variety of artists, including Calvin Harris, Diplo, and Kygo.
Goulding’s music is known for its blend of electronic and acoustic elements and her distinctive, ethereal vocals. Her style has been describe as a mix of indie pop, synthpop, and folktronica.
