Better Off

Album: Slow Me Down (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This traditional-based Marla Cannon-Goodman and Karyn Rochelle penned song features Vince Gill, who previously harmonized with Evans on her 1998 debut chart-topper "No Place That Far." The singer told Billboard magazine that working with Gill is always a treat. "He's one of the nicest guys in the world, and always so willing to come in," she said. "He never wants any compensation, or anything like that. He just loves music. I would like to think he loves to sing with me. He's had me come in and sing harmony on his records. Our voices just blend so perfectly."

    "I grew up singing bluegrass," Evans continued. "The song is one of the Countriest songs I have recorded in years. It's stone country, so who else than Vince to come in and put that high harmony on it."
  • Evans told Billboard magazine that the song was an automatic add to her Slow Me Down album. "A friend of mine, Shane Stephens, played it for me. He said, 'You have to hear this song that Karyn Rochelle wrote. He was just playing it for me,'" she recalled to Billboard. "I thought it was simply amazing - one of the most Country songs I have ever recorded in my entire career. It's like my wheelhouse. That is how I learned to sing - very Patty Loveless/Reba McEntire. It has these huge, high, wailing country notes, and there's obviously nobody any better than Vince Gill to do something like that."
  • The song's message is one that any one woman who has been hurt can get behind. "Basically, it's saying 'If he wants to leave, let him go.'" Evans told Taste of Country. "'Cause he'll only leave you better off."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.