Better Than This

You'll notice that the cover art for Better Than This features photos of some very young people. These young people are me and my partner Dawn. Dawn and I have been together for well over 20 years. The reason I'm vague about exactly how long goes some way to explaining this song. Dawn and I first met when we were 16 then after both being in various relationships and both travelling the world we found ourselves back in the place we first met in our mid twenties. We went through a period of about 18 months of being "just friends" (a subject incidentally that has ended up in a number of songs which may or may not see the light of day at some point) before finally acknowledging that we were more than just friends. Better Than This is one of the songs to come out of that time when I had finally realised how I felt about Dawn but she was a bit slow on the uptake. This is one of Dawn's favourite songs.

Also featured in the cover art are the lyrics. At that time I had an A4 exercise book that I wrote lyrics in. Dawn is always really impressed that my song lyrics appear to be written in one go without any crossing out or re-writes. This is true but it's only because I think long and hard before writing anything down. It's taken over 20 years to get round to recording this, I won't be rushed.

I like to think that this song sounds like falling in love in your mid twenties.

You can listen to Better Than This and read the lyrics below.

Better Than This Bransby 4:04

Better That This

I won't say that I love you 'cos I know I'm not supposed to
And I won't say that I want you 'cos I know that I can't have you
Just let me near you let me touch and see and hear you
Because the sent of you is fading there's no part of you remaining
And this note is all I've got it could be helping but it's not
Try to sit but I keep standing 'cos this feeling's so demanding

I will ride to you too fast
'Cos I don't know how long these kind of feelings last
But I'm playing that same song too much
'Cos when I hear the notes I see your eyes
And I can feel your touch

I really don't get much better than this
So don't love me
'Cos I really don't think that I'd suit bliss
But I love you
I'd waste my life for just one kiss
And that's all me
And thanks to you I don't get much better than this

Apologies for phoning I know you like to do your own thing
And if I'm ever getting clingy just abuse me when you're with me
And if sleeping ever comes hard and you need a shoulder massage
I'll be there before you know it try to be cool but I blow it
I know friendship's all you need now but all I need is just to be now
In your presence for a while just so I can see you smile

I'll be here when you come home
I'll always be a friend to talk to on the phone
I'll be the one who makes you smile
To be the ones who makes you laugh and makes you happy for a while

Yes