Better As A Memory by Kenny Chesney

Album: Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates (2007)

Charted: 46

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Chesney told CMT that this is the most personal song on his album: "It's the most brutally honest song on this record about me and about my reality. That whole song is a letter that I've written to several girls. It's very honest. It's a brutally honest song. It really is. And they will definitely open up the book a little bit and see inside just a touch."
The song was written by Scooter Carusoe and Lady Goodman (pen names for Travis Hill and Holly Gleason, respectively). Chesney told The Boot why he recorded the tune. "I am that guy in 'Better as a Memory,'" he said. "I think this is the letter that I've written three or four times in my life to people. It's the perfect definition of a carefree spirit. We all have relationships with people, and we all give what we can."

"You know, there's a bit of me in some songs and a lot of me in a lot of them," Chesney added. "This is definitely one of them that that really defines me right now. When I wrote those letters, I was 'better as a memory' than as their man… I promise you.'"
This became Chesney's 14th #1 country hit in June 2008 and also earned the singer a Top 50 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Comments: 3

MelissaThese lyrics remind me of two different points in my life. One was not a “relationship”, it reminds in many ways of my father who took his life. The vibe of the song, has this idea that he wasn’t enough. He was always enough! There was just a lot going on and it was difficult to see the positives of tomorrow. The 2nd was an ex. It’s funny how you can be hurt over and over, and yet still want to help the individual. You begin to believe in them more than they do. But sadly, no matter how much you love someone, they need to make health changes, no one can do that for them. So he is better as a memory, than he was as my man.
No Longer Her Man from In Her Memory I wanted to be her man. Forever. Never wanted to be a memory. But here I am. Alone.
Lisa from Oshkosh, WiI see his face everytime I hear it...because it's exactly how he always felt. man, I miss him...

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Thinking About YouCalvin Harris

"Thinking About You" was the ninth track from Calvin Harris' 18 Months album to enter the UK singles Top 10. No other artist has obtained so many hits from one LP - Michael Jackson was the previous record holder with seven Top 10 tunes from both his Bad and Dangerous sets.

Don't You Want MeThe Human League

Phil Oakey of The Human League recorded his vocals for "Don't You Want Me" in the studio bathroom. The recording was disrupted by guitarist Jo Callis reaching through an open window from outside to repeatedly flush one of the toilets.

Born In The U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." was inspired by the book (later a movie) Born On The Fourth Of July by Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who protested the war when he returned home.

Silver SpringsFleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks got the title for the Fleetwood Mac song "Silver Springs" from the city of Silver Spring, Maryland, but the song has nothing to do with the city - it's a message to her bandmate Lindsey Buckingham following their split.

I Write The SongsBarry Manilow

Barry Manilow didn't write his #1 hit "I Write The Songs." Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys wrote it.

Moves Like JaggerMaroon 5

Mick Jagger was a little freaked out when Maroon 5 released "Moves Like Jagger," a celebration of his stage moves. "It puts a bit of pressure on me when I go out dancing," he said.