The Kinks - Better Things (w/ lyrics)

[nancyalis2]

Happy New Year, everyone !!!

[christopbeeyatch]

I remember this song from high school. I actually thought it was on Think Visual. I forgot the album (cassette) I replayed ad nauseum, Give the People What they Want. A gem in the rough of 80s music.

[LLcoolDel]

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS THAT I EVER HEARD BUT ITS NEVER PLAYED ON THE RADIO AND A LOT OF MUSIC LISTENERS NEVER HEARD IT. I WISH IT COULD BE RE-RELEASED.

[Miat62]

I absolutely LOVE this song!

[kokitiloco]

fountains of wayne hasa cover of this, but it isnt in youtube.

one day i've got to upload it

[lectricman64]

Another Epic Kinks song!

[thom1850]

Timley lyrics for today's world "I hope tomorrow you'll find better things"

[oasisfan1510]

The Kinks, The Beatles, The Smiths, The Rolling Stones, The Who, greatest bands of all time!

[emlod1]

a very uplifting song. i think the song is very sincere, a another group sang this song at a benefit concert after 9/11. how can anyone say this song is ambivalent? it is a song of hope and optimism. how can any question that?

[robertemmet321]

@emlod1 Ray Davies is a snarky devil, that's why people - including his brother who this was written about - think he was being sarcastic here. Not that it isn't a great song. Love Dave's guitar work.

[MrGuitarjones]

@robertemmet321 No man, Ray is not snarky. He is sincere and optimistic and his music is full of hope and happiness, even if the subject is dour. This song came out around 20 years after the begining of their career, but he still has the fire in his belly. Not many so called artists do after that long.

[gropingwithastoker]

@MrGuitarjones It's hard to say about this one, but Dave Davies has said Ray wrote this about him when he was considering leaving. I think Dave's solo album came out around the same time. From "Kink" - "I felt that in a way Ray was trying to say he'd dearly love to see the back of me yet at the same time he just couldn't let go".

[debneter]

I may be wrong, but I think Ray was being SARCASTIC when he wrote this. Depends on what you find uplifting I suppose.

[gropingwithastoker]

@debneter Not sure. With Ray, it's all about ambivalence and things can go either way. But considering Brother Dave thinks Ray was directing this towards him, you could be right.

[R1zlaa]

Best band, ever.



[RONJAN2]

amen

[youngdre95]

Like if you remember this on Grown Ups

[mslizzybell19]

1 person is obviously not going to find better things

[LakerUNLTD]

Chaos Theory!

[skbarton13]

Right arm.

[abhineet123451]

I was sitting alone at home, there was no one at home still,-everybody are gone, ,I am always hoping that the better thing is on the way, because ghosh i had enough of my messed up life, I met a very old friend of mine after 5 years, met him last when I was in school, I am 20 years old but i feel like 90 now, there no one at home, planned for a drink with him, playing this song and all feels good till now hope it is always good for a better thing, gotta go zero characters remaining to type.bye

[Daffy3009]

Excellent song,group and songwriter.A true legend.Me and my wife saw Ray Davies live 3 years ago and was one of the best concerts i was ever at.The Kinks were one of the few true Mod groups to come out of the Sixties and influenced so many groups since.Top group.

[agedude]

Play this song and try not to smile...........com'on, I dare you

[shaneh1983]

great song

[GreenhouseEffectGE]

Simply A stand out classic Song.

[SEVFEST]

Dar Williams does one hell of a cover of this song too

[SEVFEST]

I'm a GIANT Kinks fan and wish they wiuld reform for another tour..... Ray, Dave..... Please do it now before we wish it had happened......

[TheDeekyboy]

This song just sums up my life just now and i just cant wait till tomorrow

[Js14414]

I listened to this song daily when i first started recovering from my alcohol and drug addiction. It helped keep me going.

[MrShoeman21]

If ever there was a feel good song this is it!

[happy2pogo]

the one dislike of this video was not thinking of better things..............:)

[digitalpretzel]

love it

[Kumakahi777]

How could this song NOT put you in a better mood, instantly?

[trickymutha]

This song is underrated 

[JustPassingThrough27]

The  best song on Give The People What They Want

[jlopen]

Fountains of Wayne do a helluva cover of this tune.

[Whodisdeya]

My favorite part is 1:33-1:45

[kanhawk]

Kudos to Adam Sandler and the producers of the movie "Grown Ups" for digging up this old jewel and playing it in the closing credits to the movie.

[slopes3688]

Good listen after the Tuscan tragedy.

[Hamstertimesuper]

the ray davis and bruce springsteen one is good aswell

[majomor]

What a goddamn great song...

[SuperMonsterzero]

Waiting myself, but still- what a beautiful, hopeful, generous song this is. If i wasn't such a total hardass it would bring tears to my eyes. Really.

[SWILLY36]

I'm still waiting for better things to come but it's been almost 30 years and I have my doubts.

[sderoski]

this song makes me think that black francis listened to the kinks

[punkaroos123]

loll Longview!!! you mean, The Pixies remind you of The Kinks!!!!

[LongviewGD182]

This song reminds me of the pixies

[shafuu]

My fave Kinks song!

[renotsecniv]

If you have a loved one who is having a hard time right now, LINK THIS TO THEM.

[shogan41]

"TOO" in the lyrics should be "TO". It runs into the next line as one sentence-

'and the very best of choruses TO follow all the doubt and sadness'.

[Jiggs46]

I love the Kinks, this song is so on point....such a positive song for those who are struggling with life's lessons...myself included

[jenzeppelin]

For those of us who have been through hard times, this song brings tears to the eyes and a glimmer of hope to the soul.

[Jiggs46]

Just made my day...thanks

[smitpauly]

whatever happened to the video of this song,that had the little cartoon sunshine harvesters and the dank grumpies?that was way cool.

[jeffsaxton22]

I actually remember one poor soul who stated that Chrissie Hynde was so correct in dumping Ray Davies & that Sade (of all people!) had more talent than he did. I remained silent 'cos if you argue with a fool, there's just two fools arguing!

[Equestional]

@TheReesedakota lol dude this song is so damn high!!!! holy crap my throat aagh...

[TheReesedakota]

@Equestional lol its not hard

[TheReesedakota]

i have to sing this it sucks balls

[queenmarciatrixi]

dedicated to my baby alexis and everyone i love..better things are on the way

[queenmarciatrixi]

What a great tune and lyrics. Accepting life and what it brings can be hard to see as positive but looking back at life is so sweet..thanks and here's to a future with better things on the way.

[michaelzxhc]

The Bouncing Souls did a great more uptempo version of this song.

[SuperToto5]

I have heard this song for the first time and think it's great. Apparently Bruce Springsteen has covered it for a Links Tribute Album. What a sweet song. I love The Kinks. Waterloo Sunset has to be my favourite of theirs but this was a great song of hope.

[breeeegs]

this is like the song equivalent of someone hugging you and saying its going to be okay

[jeffsaxton22]

Too bad YouTube removed a real cool & fantastic old cartoon reel that was associated with "Better Things" & was on this site until 10/23/2009 for violating their posting policy. Does anyone remember this or know the name &/or source of that video? Please reply if you know or find out. It was such a happy cartoon & was the perfect imagery for this Kink's classic. When life kicks you in the butt, just blast a couple of rounds of this gem. It gets ya into the optimistic, positive groove!

Thanks!

[deweypug]

Sue, this one was written for us... (I'm sorry things didn't work out)

[jenzeppelin]

@deweypug i don't know you, or Sue, but that hit me in the gut.

[moby406]

this song always makes me cry

[skontch1]

i remember hearing this a few times right after 9/11. it still brings a lump to my throat when i hear it...

[jenzeppelin]

this moves me to tears

[IdleOz]

I heard this as a musical track to SModcast 61

[friendlyalberta]

@IdleOz and also manchurian candidate at the ending but its a different version :/

[MelPeace333]

I like it =)

[gnizak]

This is one of the first songs I can remember listening to as a kid, on my dads Kinks CDs. Can't say enough about it, it's my perpetual 'things are looking up' song.

[nancyalis]

The NY rock station was WNEW-FM, where rock USED to live. Vin Scelsa played it. I remember it as well !! ("One day I was listening to a NY station, I couldn't BELIEVE what I heard at all.. We started dancin' to that fine, fine music, My life was saved by rock & Roll"--Lou Reed "Rock & Roll" )

[schenkmore0]

That's where I heard this song for first, too!!! I miss that station and the old format like I miss Tower Records.

[VariablyCloudy]

I first heard this song on New Years Eve on a NY Rock radio station many years ago and I've been listening to it ever since.  Happy New Year !!!

[knowfuture22172]

Here's the the Kinks, who reached deeper and brought us more than any other band I can think of.

[jenzeppelin]

@knowfuture22172 ditto!!!

[SawyerSexx]

bouncing souls did it better =]

still a great a song.

[Emily12386]

I love this song! it is awesome! was looking for that for ages!!!

[skontch1]

i fell in love with this song in the days following 9-11-01. still sends chills up my spine when i hear it...

[billinsporttt]

Is there an official video of The Kinks to accompany this great song?

[billinsporttt]

OMG I just listened to this song for the first time in years!!! I've been searching YouTube lately for the songs of my youth...I was 16 when this album came out, I forced my oldest brother to take me to see the Kinks as my first concert at The Philadelphia Spectrum, around the fall of '81. (Feel free to correct me, lots of years ago) What a great song from one of the most under-appreciated bands of my generation...It also brought tears and a lump, as I am going thru some ruff times now...

[upthcreek]

I saw them that year in Portland OR... they did play this song, as it was on the album, they came out with, that year... Give the People what they want... How cool you were only 16... must have blown you away... hope your bad times have aged... One song I like to listen to, when I lose perspective, is " always look on the light , side of life", by Monty Python... sums up the "human condition" for me, anyway... "better things" are here... I'd rather have a crappy life, than, no life at all...

[19970817]

Tears

[rustydog0329]

I think that "Give the People What They Want" should be ranked as one of the top 100 albums of all time.

Can I get a witness?

[bearmassaro]

I'll second that!

It's already on my list...

[jenzeppelin]

@rustydog0329 i think that all the top spots on the 100 best albums list should list all of the Kinks albums first, starting at #1 going down, and when all the Kinks albums have been listen, then the other bands on the planet can start to join the list.

[jenzeppelin]

@jenzeppelin have been listed oops

[ericleekramersr]

@rustydog0329 i'll witness for ya.Avery special record for me!

[Leifura]

@rustydog0329

One og the top ten I say

[ecbean]

@rustydog0329 you're so right, man. Fantastic LP.

[lixie1]

@rustydog0329 Totally!!

[flippyflyer]

@rustydog0329 agreed

[dcmicrowave]

@rustydog0329 I completely agree. I've known several folks who claimed it as their very first album purchased. I always get along with these people.

[krakahead]

@rustydog0329

Amen!

It is definitely the best Kinks album for me.

[videostrategies]

In the imaginary country where I am president, this is the national anthem.

[Fishfinger223]

@videostrategies and what a great country that would be!

[breeeegs]

can i come visit? ;)

[jwb91560]

@videostrategies Mine is Forever Young by Alphaville, but I do loooove Better Things!

[eclando]

@videostrategies YESSSSS!

[sch1964musicman]

@videostrategies True words!!!

[bearmassaro]

@videostrategies I'd stand at attention for the entire 2:58. One of my all-time favorite songs...

[TOMMYTOMA4]

@videostrategies wow...so well said about all the misery people put themself through for no reason...hey man Tomorrow you'll find Better Things...

[charlieblundell]

I absolutely love this song! Always reminds me of the good times I have with friends and such :)

[angustrato]

the kinks always was a great bandd great great bandd...they always makes me feel so good

and this song is so special....

thanks

[jeffsaxton22]

When I'm in a rut, I turn out the lites, turn up the volume & sing along at the top of my voice, cos no matter what, better things will & do always come!

Thank you Ray Davies!

[joebasick]

This song is exactly how i feel now.

[daahsg]

I feel so together listening to this. Thank you davies bros. Wish someone current would cover this. beautiful. GSTK

[digitalpretzel]

i suggest The Bouncing Souls version of Better Things.  It's absolutely fantastic.

[IStillLoveMyEx]

A truly underrated song late in their prime for the Kinks. So simple yet so inspiring.

[babu357]

Thanks for posting this. I was a young teen going thorough a real hard time when this came out and it felt like he was talking to me. I love him for this song

[danmane243]

thanx for posting this :)

[skontch1]

heard this a few times shortly after 9-11. it brought a lump to my throat. i've loved it ever since. thx for sharing

[bendobrin]

great sound. don't like to be critical but it's 'doubt and sadness' not 'drudge and sadness'. might have been written that way but i'm pretty sure that Ray sings doubt not drudge. let me know if i'm wrong.

[Littlerockstar989]

I'm doing it for grad to....Tahani. o.o

[llynllaura]

...  :)

[honeytutu22]

i have to do this song for my 5th grade grad. and its awsome. I love it

[londonhistory]

I love this song! Great song! "Give The People What They Want" is one my of favorite CDs of all time and this is my favorite song on that CD.

[thatdrattedcat]

I think I was first introduced to this song as a cover by Dar Williams...

[jjirish]

Question, shouldn't it be " follow all the doubt and sadness" not drudge and sadness? Minor detail I know, great song, great memories...

[Pamicox]

i love this song so much, kinks punch and melancoly 80s

[videostrategies]

At every graduation ceremony, at every school from kindergarten up to the most prestigious PhD program, and at every rehab center, corporate training facility, dog obedience school, recreation center, SCUBA training school, and every other place where people are striving to make something better of themselves . . . THIS SONG SHOULD BE PLAYED OVER AND OVER!!

[hilender0]

I love this song! Going through a terrible time, sister dying, this song was quoted at her wedding 27 years ago and it still makes me smile. Only the best to any and all who get the point! :)

[orbit319]

Im so sorry to hear about your sister..

[Valkes]

I'm not. one fewer breeder on the planet. >= )

[ItsDuckSandwichFilms]

wow. that was kind of rude..... kind of really rude

[Valkes]

Kinda the point, do try to keep up.

[ItsDuckSandwichFilms]

....oh.....you clever bastard

[Valkes]

Yes, I know, I'm pretty awesome. It's sometimes hard to cope with the true level of awesome I have attained. Many people go blind from exposure to my awesomeness. They say things like "you're not awesome", but we know the truth, We are aware of the fact that they have simply been over come by my level of true awesomenessatude, and are simply unable to process it .

[ItsDuckSandwichFilms]

I was being a little bit on the sarcastic side. no offence but I don't know you so I can't judge

[paddyo702]

Ray Davies is the greatest, most prolific song writer in rock history.

[kangaroocomedy]

From the album, Give the People What They Want, released in late 1981.

[7thParade]

One of the best lyrics of the century.

Accept your life and what it brings.

[kangaroocomedy]

For me, the best Kinks song...excellent post...

[Dloomis494]

To Chrissie Hynde. No?

[mcbump]

This is such a great song.Thats why it was my first choise to post as our first video, right here on youtube.Iffy and Rusty

[tannechino]

I remember my roommates and I singing this the night before we graduated from college back in '83. You're right, it is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Great song.

[videostrategies]

So true, fhlyer! It's a great combo of strong rock songwriting and a philosophy I think MANY more people (including me) need to live by. I especially like the line, "Accept your life and what it brings." Almost everyone is more blessed than they realize most of the time.

[fhlyer]

Just heard this song the other day for the first time in 17 years. It's enough to bring tears to your eyes these days.