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 |
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.
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.
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.
As far as it's known, Bruce Springsteen has never performed BETTER THINGS live.
List of available versions of BETTER THINGS on this website:
BETTER THINGS [Ray Davies' album version]
