Better Off Dead

Album: Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • According to Barry Toberman's biography of Elton John, this song was inspired by his and Bernie Taupin's experiences in the West End. After recording at the Dick James studio late into the night, they'd go to a burger bar where some of the clientele looked better off dead. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England
  • Better Off Dead is also the name of a 1985 movie starring John Cusack.

Comments: 1

  • Edward Felson from CaliforniaAnyone else bothered about the first line not really rhyming? Taupin's lyrics and rhymes are always top notch so I'm surprised -- I wonder if the first line was really meant to be: "There was a face that someone had drawn on a hoarding" which would then make "hoarding" rhyme with "warning." "Drawn on" and "warning" don't rhyme -- and see all the other line rhymes....
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.