Songfacts®:

• Zayn Malik's first new release in two years, "Better" is a slice of acoustic R&B soul that sees him heading in a mellower direction. Over a soothing R&B melody, Zayn croons lyrics about love and heartbreak.
  
  'Cause sometimes it's better that way.
  Gotta let it go so your heart don't break
  'Cause I love you
  Yeah, baby, I love you
  
  The former One Directioner just can't shake off his feelings for his romantic interest, but he realizes he might have give up the relationship.
• Fans have speculated the song lyrics about second chances and finding a way back to love is about his on-and-off relationship with the model Gigi Hadid. The two met on the set of his "Pillowtalk" music video and began dating. The couple announced their split in March 2018 but remained close friends; by early 2020 it was apparent they were in a romantic relationship again. Malik announced the birth of their daughter on September 23, 2020, two days before the release of this song.
• Zayn wrote the song with Justin "Dab" Bowie (Canon's "Expect Us"), Cole Citrenbaum (Bea Miller's "Girlfriend"), Mike Hunnid McGregor (Lucky Daye's "Fade Away"), David Brown (Marco Wagner's "Hey Bro"). Bowie and Citrenbaum also produced the track.
• Ryan Hope directed the video, which shows Zayn with newly dyed red hair getting ready for a night out. He performs the track in various locations in his empty home while someone appears to be watching him through his window. Hope previously filmed Zayn's "It's You" and "Befour" clips.
• The chorus interpolates Kasey Cisyk's 1977 song "You Light Up My Life," made popular through Debby Boone's chart-topping cover.