BETTER DAYS

Album version

Well my soul checked out missing as I sat listening to the hours and minutes ticking away
Yeah just sitting around waiting for my life to begin while it was all just slipping away
And I'm tired of waiting for tomorrow to come or that train to come roaring 'round the bend
I got a new suit of clothes and a pretty red rose, a woman I can call my friend

These are better days, baby
Yeah there's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you

Well I took a piss at fortune's sweet kiss, it's like eating caviar and dirt
It's a sad funny ending to find yourself pretending you're a rich man in a poor man's shirt
Now my ass was dragging when from a passing gypsy wagon, your heart like a diamond shone
Tonight I'm lying in your arms carving lucky charms yeah out of these hard luck bones

These are better days, baby
These are better days, it's true
These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through

Now a life of leisure and a pirate's treasure don't make much for tragedy
It's a sad man my friend who's living in his own skin and can't stand the company
Every fool's got a reason to feel sorry for himself and turning his heart to stone
Tonight this fool's halfway to heaven and just a mile outta hell and I feel like I'm coming home

These are better days, baby
There's better days shining through
These are better days, baby
Better days with a girl like you

These are better days, baby
These are better days, it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through

These are better days, baby
Ah better days, it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through

These are better days, baby
Ah better days, it's true
These are better days, baby
Better days are shining through

These are better days
These are better days
Better days are shining through
These are better days
These are better days
[Fades out]

Info

BETTER DAYS is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and released on his 1992 album Lucky Town. The above lyrics are for Bruce Springsteen's album version of BETTER DAYS as released in 1992.

The album version of BETTER DAYS was included on the Greatest Hits (1995 edition) compilation album, The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition) compilation album, and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album.

Writing and Recording

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Lucky Town

The Human Touch recording sessions were completed by early 1991 and the album was planned to be released in the spring of that year. However Bruce Springsteen decided to hold off the release and he continued to write more songs during the spring and summer of 1991. The recording sessions for what later became Lucky Town spanned a period of about five months, from late summer 1991 to very early 1992. It would appear that they began in September 1991 at Springsteen's Los Angeles home studio and were then augmented at A&M Studios later in 1991. Chuck Plotkin has implied that about 15 songs were complete during this session period, which means there are likely only a handful of undocumented songs from these sessions still in the vaults. These mid to late 1991 sessions were not originally intended to produce a stand-alone album — the songs were meant to be added to the ones recorded in 1990 and then the complete body of material would be sieved to produce one album. However, Springsteen unusually decided to release two different albums, Human Touch and Lucky Town, at the same time.

Lucky Town was recorded between September 1991 and January 1992 at Thrill Hill West (Springsteen's home studio in Los Angeles, CA) and A&M Studios in Los Angeles, CA. The album was recorded by Toby Scott, mixed by Bob Clearmountain, and mastered by Bob Ludwig. It was produced by Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, and Chuck Plotkin. Roy Bittan is credited as a fourth co-producer of tracks 05, 06, and 07. Lucky Town was released on Columbia Records on 31 Mar 1992, the same day as Human Touch.

Bruce Springsteen -- Lucky Town

Lucky Town features 10 tracks and clocks at 39:38.

Music Video

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The music video for BETTER DAYS was included on the The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 home video and the Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- compilation album. It was posted on Bruce Springsteen's VEVO YouTube channel in October 2009.

Single Release

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Bruce Springsteen -- Better Days

CD EP - Columbia (657890 2) - Austria, 1992

Pressed in Austria for distribution in Europe.

01- BETTER DAYS
02- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
03- PART MAN, PART MONKEY

Bruce Springsteen -- Better Days

CD EP - Columbia (657890 2) - Austria, 1992

Pressed in Austria for distribution in the UK.

01- BETTER DAYS
02- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
03- PART MAN, PART MONKEY

Bruce Springsteen -- Better Days

12" EP - Columbia (657890 6) - Austria, 1993

Pressed in Holland for distribution in Europe.

A1- BETTER DAYS
B1- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
B2- PART MAN, PART MONKEY

Bruce Springsteen -- Better Days

12" EP - CBS/Sony (657890 6) - Holland, 1992

Pressed in Holland for distribution in Spain.

A1- BETTER DAYS
B1- TOUGHER THAN THE REST [Live 27 Apr 1988 version]
B2- PART MAN, PART MONKEY

Bruce Springsteen -- Human Touch / Better Days

MC single - Columbia (38T 74273) - Canada, 1992

A1- HUMAN TOUCH
A2- BETTER DAYS
B1- HUMAN TOUCH
B2- BETTER DAYS

Video Anthology Home Video

Video Anthology / 1978-88 is a collection of 18 Bruce Springsteen music videos and concert performances, released on VHS on 31 Jan 1989. The home video was also released on LaserDisc.

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA VHS cover art)

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (USA LaserDisc cover art)

Bruce Springsteen -- Video Anthology / 1978-88 (Japan LaserDisc cover art)

Sonny reissued the video on DVD on 16 Jan 2001. Titled The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000, the new expanded release added a second disc with 15 additional music video, concert performances, and television appearances.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Complete Video Anthology / 1978-2000 (DVD cover art)

Greatest Hits 1995 Edition

Greatest Hits (1995 edition) is a collection of some of Bruce Springsteen's hit singles and popular album tracks through the years, in addition to four previously unreleased songs, three of which were recorded with the E Street Band in 1995 — Springsteen's first release with his backing band since the late eighties. Some of the songs on Greatest Hits are shorter versions of the original album releases.

In 1994, Bruce Springsteen recorded an album with members of the 1992-1993 touring band. His manager Jon Landau wasn't a fan of the project and recommended shelving it and focusing more on a "career overview". This lead to the Greatest Hits sessions with the E Street Band in 1995. Springsteen called the band in early January to record some new songs for the album and they assembled for the recording sessions on 09 Jan 1995 at The Hit Factory in New York City, NY. The sessions, which lasted about ten days, were the band's first studio reunion in 11 years (since the Born In The U.S.A. sessions) and their first ever with Nils Lofgren.

Bruce Springsteen -- Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits was released on 27 Feb 1995 on Columbia Records. It was commercially successful, debuting at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 where it stayed on the chart for 32 weeks. It also peaked at #1 in Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many European countries. By 2008 the album had sold more than four million copies in the United States.

In 2013, Sony Music reissued the album in Venezuela as part of its Star Collection series, which was made exclusively for the Venezuelan market via Sony Music Venezuela in 2013. The album is titled after the series and features totally different artwork. Just like on Greatest Hits, the songs are shorter versions of the original album releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- Star Collection

CD - Sony Music (001) - Venezuela, 2013

The Essential Bruce Springsteen

The Essential Bruce Springsteen is a compilation album released as part of Sony BMG'S (previously Sony Music Entertainment) series of "Essential" sets. According to Springsteen's liner notes comments, the collection was intended as an introduction to his music for new fans who attended shows on The Rising Tour.

The collection is fundamentally a 2-disc set (clocking at 153:37) compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Live In New York City release. A 3-disc limited edition (clocking at 201:04) was also released. It includes a bonus third disc comprising of a selection of rarities and previously unreleased recordings.

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was released on 11 Nov 2003 on Columbia Records. It debuted and peaked at #14 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart where it spent 13 weeks. It also reached #28 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was awarded certified gold and platinum records by the RIAA on 16 Dec 2003.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2003 edition)

The Essential Bruce Springsteen was reissued on 16 Oct 2015, this time as a 2-disc set (clocking at 156:25) with an updated track list, compiling songs from all of Springsteen's studio albums to date plus his Greatest Hits (1995 edition) collection. This 2015 reissue features remastered tracks not found in that form on other Springsteen releases.

Bruce Springsteen -- The Essential Bruce Springsteen (2015 edition)

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits- is a Bruce Springsteen compilation album released by Sony Music Japan in 2023. The compilation, which was exclusively released in Japan, consists of previously released 35 audio tracks and 62 video tracks. The collection is part of a 26-title reissue campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's debut album. The series, issued in three waves (25 Oct 2023, 22 Nov 2023, and 20 Dec 2023), includes 25 albums originally released between 1973 and 2014 plus a new compilation album that includes all of Springsteen's singles released in Japan from 1975 to 1999. All audio CD's were manufactured using Sony Japan's Blu-spec CD2 format.

Bruce Springsteen -- Japanese Singles Collection -Greatest Hits-

Other Official Releases

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Bruce Springsteen -- Tougher Than The Rest

CD - Columbia (XPCD 192) - UK, 1992

UK-only promotional CD sampler issued in limited quantities to tie in with the 1992 Wembley shows and contains 16 tracks from Springsteen's albums up to 1992.

Tougher Than The Rest (1992 UK sampler) track list

01- HUMAN TOUCH
02- LUCKY TOWN
03- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
04- FOR YOU
05- HUNGRY HEART [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
06- 57 CHANNELS (AND NOTHIN' ON)
07- BADLANDS
08- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
09- DANCING IN THE DARK
10- INCIDENT ON 57TH STREET
11- BETTER DAYS
12- GLORY DAYS
13- BORN TO RUN
14- ATLANTIC CITY
15- TOUGHER THAN THE REST
16- THE RIVER

Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen

CD - Sony (XDDP 93084) - Japan, 1992

Japan-only promotional CD sampler compiling 16 tracks from Springsteen's studio albums up to 1992.

Bruce Springsteen (1992 Japan sampler) track list

01- HUMAN TOUCH
02- BORN TO RUN
03- DANCING IN THE DARK
04- HUNGRY HEART
05- ROLL OF THE DICE
06- BOBBY JEAN
07- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
08- THE RIVER
09- LUCKY TOWN
10- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
11- BADLANDS
12- THUNDER ROAD
13- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)
14- COVER ME
15- NO SURRENDER
16- BETTER DAYS

Bruce Springsteen -- A Whole Bunch Of Bruce Springsteen

MC - Sony (XCTS 92005) - Japan, 1992

Japan-only promotional cassette tape sampler compiling 12 tracks from Springsteen's studio albums up to 1992.

A Whole Bunch Of Bruce Springsteen track list

01- HUMAN TOUCH
02- ROLL OF THE DICE
03- NO SURRENDER
04- BORN TO RUN
05- ROSALITA (COME OUT TONIGHT)
06- HUNGRY HEART
07- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
08- BOBBY JEAN
09- THE RIVER
10- BETTER DAYS
11- LUCKY TOWN
12- THUNDER ROAD

Bruce Springsteen -- Bruce Springsteen (1984 - 1993)

CD-R - Sony (no catalog number) - Japan, 2005

Japan-only promotional "Digest" CD-R advance sampler tying in with the release of the second batch of the Japanese 2005 "mini-LP"-style Springsteen CD album reissues. This disc comes in a plain slimline jewel case with no artwork.

Bruce Springsteen (1984 - 1993) track list

01- BORN IN THE U.S.A.
02- NO SURRENDER
03- BOBBY JEAN
04- DANCING IN THE DARK
05- BECAUSE THE NIGHT [Live 28 Dec 1980 version]
06- BRILLIANT DISGUISE
07- VALENTINE'S DAY
08- HUMAN TOUCH
09- ROLL OF THE DICE
10- MAN'S JOB
11- I WISH I WERE BLIND
12- BETTER DAYS
13- LUCKY TOWN
14- LIGHT OF DAY [Live 22 Sep 1992 version]

The album version of BETTER DAYS was included on some various artists albums.

Various artists -- Hakuraikun '92 Vol. 1

CD - Sony Records (XDDP 93085) - Japan, 1992

Promotional sampler. Contains three Bruce Springsteen tracks: ROLL OF THE DICE, HUMAN TOUCH, and BETTER DAYS.

Other versions of BETTER DAYS were also officially released.

The live 25 Jul 1992 version of BETTER DAYS was released on the Meadowlands July 25, 1992 official live download in 2019.

The live 22 Sep 1992 version of BETTER DAYS was released on the In Concert / MTV Plugged home video in 1992 and album in 1993.

The live 13 Dec 1992 version of BETTER DAYS was released on the Boston 13/12/92 official live download in 2021.

The live 24 Jun 1993 version of BETTER DAYS was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.

Live History: on-tour

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Live History: off-tour

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Covers

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At least 8 artists have recorded and released Bruce Springsteen's BETTER DAYS.

The Songrise Orchestra -- The Music Of Bruce Springsteen - 17 Instrumental Hits

CD - Hits 'N' Hits (3831CD) - UK, 1995

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was reissued in 2011 by the Pyramid Music label as a download-only digital album titled Greatest Hits From The Superstars - Born In The USA credited to Gary Tesca Orchestra. It was again reissued in 2014 by the Bringins Music label as a download-only digital album titled Memories Are Made Of These - The Best Of Bruce Springsteen credited to Twilight Orchestra.

Session musicians -- Super Instrumental

CD - O6epir-XXI / Vikkon (no catalog number) - Ukraine, 2003

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Various artists -- Light Of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Big Daddy (SHR0022-2) - USA, 2003
2xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797E-02) - Spain, 2003
3xCD - Good Sounds / DiscMedi Blau (DM 797-02) - Spain, 2003
2xCD - Schoolhouse Records / Revolver (REV XD244) - UK, 2004
2xCD - Revolver / Sony (MHCP 928-9) - Japan, 2005

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. There are five issues of this album (with three track configurations) and this track was included on all five issues listed above. BETTER DAYS is performed by Elliot Murphy.

The Boss Chill -- The Boss Chill

CD - Vale Music (unknown catalog number) - Spain, 2008

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

The Hit Co. -- A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set

Digital album - Planet Music (unknown catalog number) - unknown country, 2010

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album. It was also released the same year as three separate volumes: Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 1 1973-1985, Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 2 1980-1989, and Long Live The Boss: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen Vol. 3 1990-2009. A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set however includes two tracks not found on the three separate volumes. In 2012, the same tracks found on A Tribute To The Best Of Bruce Springsteen Box Set were distributed over three download-only digital Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp tribute albums: Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 1, Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 2, and Working Class Heroes: A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp, Vol. 3.

Various artists -- For You 2: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

2xCD - Route 66 Music (DTCDA005-2) - Italy, 2010

This is a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. BETTER DAYS is performed by Wild Junkers.

The Boss Band -- The Ultimate Tribute To Bruce Springsteen

Digital album - Big Eye Music (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2011

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Déjà Vu -- Tribute To Working Class Hero Bruce Springsteen - Vol. 1

Digital album - Zulu (unknown catalog number) - USA, 2012

This is a download-only digital Bruce Springsteen tribute album.

Credits

Thanks Richard Myerscough for the lyrics corrections.

Available Versions

List of available versions of BETTER DAYS on this website:

Page last updated: 12 Mar 2023