BETTER THINGS

Ray Davies' album version



Ray Davies:Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Bruce Springsteen:Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to follow
Ray Davies:Follow all the doubt and sadness
Bruce Springsteen:I know that better things are on the way

Bruce Springsteen:Here's hoping all the days ahead
Won't be as bitter as the ones behind you
Ray Davies:Be an optimist instead
And somehow happiness will find you
Bruce Springsteen:Forget what happened yesterday
Ray Davies:I know that better things are on the way

Davies and Springsteen:It's really good to see you rocking out and having fun
Living like you just begun
Accept your life and what it brings
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things
I know tomorrow you'll find better things

Ray Davies:Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Bruce Springsteen:Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to follow
Ray Davies:Follow all the drudge and sadness
Bruce Springsteen:I know that better things are on the way

Davies and Springsteen:I know you've got a lot of good things happening up ahead
The past is gone it's all been said
So here's to what the future brings
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things
I know tomorrow you'll find better things

Ray Davies:Here's wishing you the bluest sky
Bruce Springsteen:Wishing you the bluest sky
Ray Davies:Hoping all the verses rhyme
Bruce Springsteen:Hoping all your verses rhyme
Davies and Springsteen:I hope tomorrow you'll find better things


Info

BETTER THINGS is a song by written by The Kinks' lead singer and songwriter Ray Davies. It was first released by The Kinks in 1981 and again by Ray Davies in 2010. Davies' re-recorded version features a guest appearance by Bruce Springsteen who plays guitar and sings duet vocals along with Davies. The above lyrics are for Ray Davies' album version of BETTER THINGS as released in 2010.

The Kinks' Original Version

BETTER THINGS was first released by The Kinks as a single in June 1981 in the UK (with MASSIVE REDUCTIONS on the b-side) and November 1981 in the US (with YO-YO on the b-side). A slightly shorter version of the song was included on their album Give The People What They Want, released in August 1981 in the US and January 1982 in the UK. The single version clocks at 2:59 while the LP version clocks at 2:44.

The Kinks -- "Better Things / Yo-Yo"
The Kinks -- "Better Things / Yo-Yo"

7" single - Arista (AS 0649) - USA, 1981

Stock copy, no picture sleeve.
The Kinks -- "Better Things / Massive Reductions"
The Kinks -- "Better Things / Massive Reductions"

7" single - Arista (ARIST 415) - UK, 1981

Stock copy, with picture sleeve.
The Kinks -- Give The People What They Want
The Kinks -- Give The People What They Want

LP - Arista (AL 9567) - USA, 1981
LP - Arista (SPART 1171) - UK, 1982

Ray Davies' album version

In 2010, Ray Davies paid tribute to his revered band The Kinks on his album See My Friends. The album features new studio collaborations of Davies' compositions, which were originally recorded by The Kinks. An ensemble of all-star cast is featured on the album, including Bruce Springsteen who plays guitar and sings duet vocals along with Davies on the opening track, BETTER THINGS. The track also features Paul Shaffer on piano and backing vocals, Sid McGinnis on guitar, Anton Fig on drums, Felicia Collins on guitar and backing vocals, and Will Lee on bass and backing vocals.

The album was released in Europe on Universal Records in November 2010 and in the US on Decca Records in early 2011. Different issues of the album were released throughout the world, some with one or two bonus tracks. BETTER THINGS was also included on a UK promotional sampler compiling 6 tracks from the album.

Ray Davies -- See My Friends
Ray Davies -- See My Friends

CD - Universal (2752942) - Europe, 2010
CD - Decca (B0015310-02) - USA, 2010

This issue includes 14 tracks.
Ray Davies -- See My Friends
Ray Davies -- See My Friends

CD - Universal (2754817) - Europe, 2010
CD - Universal (2754817) - Canada, 2010

This issue includes 15 tracks.
Ray Davies -- See My Friends
Ray Davies -- See My Friends

CD - Universal (2755289) - Europe, 2010
CD - Universal (UICO-1199) - Japan, 2010

This issue includes 16 tracks.
Ray Davies -- See My Friends
Ray Davies -- See My Friends

CD-R - Universal (no catalog number) - UK, 2010

Promotional sampler compiling 6 tracks from the See My Friends album. Comes in a cardboard sleeve.

Live History

As far as it's known, Bruce Springsteen has never performed BETTER THINGS live.

Available Versions

List of available versions of BETTER THINGS on this website:

BETTER THINGS [Ray Davies' album version]

Page last updated: 14 Jan 2018