I'm sorry about the sun.
How could I know?
That you'd get burned?
And I'm Sorry about the moon.
How could I know you'd disapprove?
I'll never make the same mistake.
The next time I create the universe
I'll make sure we communicate at length
Just to play it safe.

But until then,
Better off dead, a smile on the lips and a hole in the head
Better off dead, yeah better than this
Take it away cause there's nothing to miss
I'm sorry about the world
How could I know you'd take it so bad?
And I'll never make the same mistake
The next time I create the universe I'll make sure you participate.

But until then,
Better off dead, a smile on the lips and a hole in the head
Better off dead, yeah better than this
Take it away cause there's nothing to miss
Better off dead, yeah better off dead
Why don't you try pushing daisies instead
Better off dead, yeah better off dead,
A smile on the lips and a hole in the head
And I'll never make the same mistake

The next time I create the universe I'll make sure you participate
Oh yeah
And I'll never make the same mistake
The next time I create the universe I'll make sure we communicate
Just in case.


Lyrics submitted by punk_in_drublic99, edited by oscrwht

Better Off Dead Lyrics as written by Brett W. Gurewitz

Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Better Off Dead song meanings
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38 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    This song really doesn't require much by way of creative interpretation.

    I would say it's written from the point of view of God himself, very sarcastically apologizing to the human race because his ultimate creation doesn't live up to our standards in the verses. The chorus flips it around and says if you don't like it just kill yourself already.

    That's my two cents.

    Gageon November 26, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This is a great Bad Religion song in my opinion, I think it is just about how hard it is to make everybody happy, and no matter what people will be pissed at you, so you just gotta kinda look beyond those reactions and do what you really think is right....or something like that.

    Madcappunkon March 25, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    He thinks he's god......he created everything and everyone dissapproved. Its about how you can never make everyone happy. It's about doing your best and telling anyone who isn't satisfied to get fucked

    Bulkyoneon July 28, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I agree completely with Bulkyone. He's singing about people who expect the world was to be created and shaped just exactly to their specifications, and of course it wasn't, so all they do is complain. Funny thing is, if it were exactly how they wanted, they'd find some other garbage to complain about.

    Akanaon August 01, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think it's an anti-hierarchy song aswell kinda, "no gods no masters" and such you know , like saying sarcastically how stupid it really is to have one guy (or more even) in power running and controlling millions of lives, and in this song they take it to the extreme which is god (one man) creating the whole universe basically.

    And also saying that instead we should all participate and co-operate with eachother to create the best world possible through listening and talking to eachother and taking part of eachothers ideas.

    Something the ones in power(politicians e.t.c) don't really do to the people in our world today and how helpless and worthless that can make you feel.

    St.Catastropheon March 03, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    bulkyone is a total genius. This song is fucking awsome

    SilentPhotoFilmon April 02, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about god saying that he didn't know the world was so bad (I don't believe in god by the way) and that the next time he creates the universe he'll make sure he consults us, but until then, you're better off dead because the world is such a mess.

    Occams_Harmonyon May 09, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is about people who are never happy with anything. They whine, bitch and moan about their lives and always look for some scapegoat, rather than accept responsibilty for their state in life.

    The song seems to address some person that Brett may have in mind particularly. He uses overstated sarcasm beatifully here. It makes me think of how sometimes, when you are subjected to profuse whining and moaning, you want to tell the person to give up on life and go jump off a cliff. They'd be happier dead.

    Esoterykon August 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    These lyrics dont match the song

    threaton April 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the lyrics DO match the song. This song is a kinda soft song, like all songs on STF

    HyoCHANon May 28, 2002   Link

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