Better Off Without You

Album: Wired (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Bassist Sam Douglas details in this song his personal struggle with anxiety and his frustration towards a doctor who took a particularly lax approach to his treatment.
  • Douglas explained to The Independent that he found it difficult to talk to doctors about his mental health issues, and felt "palmed off" when their solution was to prescribe the antidepressant Citalopra. The Mallory Knox bassist said:

    "I've always found it quite difficult to talk to people outside of my friends and family about my problems and my insecurities.

    In a way when I was writing this song I had that same gut-wrenching feeling I had when I went to the doctor the first time, to try to explain what was going on in my head. I've always said that the music tells you what the song should be about and you should always trust it.

    So when I realised I'd written the first verse, almost subliminally, about my anxiety there was a moment when I paused and questioned if this was something I really wanted to write about. The answer, in a nutshell, was yes.

    I can't speak for other people that suffer from anxiety, and I know there are many. I just wrote the song from my own personal experience."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.