Pearl Jam – Better Man

"Better Man" as written by and Gary Victor Brown....
Waitin', watchin' the clock, it's four o'clock, it's got to stop
Tell him, take no more, she practices her speech
As he opens the door, she rolls over
Pretends to sleep as he looks her over

She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man
She dreams in colour, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Oh

Talkin' to herself, there's no one else who needs to know
She tells herself, oh
Memories back when she was bold and strong
And waiting for the world to come along
Swears she knew it, now she swears he's gone

She lies and says she's in love with him, can't find a better man
She dreams in colour, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
She lies and says she still loves him, can't find a better man
She dreams in colour, she dreams in red, can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Yeah

She loved him, yeah, she don't want to leave this way
She feeds him, yeah, that's why she'll be back again

Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man
Can't find a better man


Lyrics submitted by dsfire

"Better Man" as written by Eddie Vedder

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Better Man song meanings
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156 Comments

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  • +10
    General CommentI believe this song is about a women in a abusive relationship, realizing she's stupid for staying. But to scared to leave.
    Lucky1869_420on December 07, 2001   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • +7
    General Commenti love this song soo much... one of my favourite of all time
    its just about a woman... too scared to leave this guy..
    because she just doesnt want to end up alone
    i love the beginning the best
    "its got to stop.. tell him.. take no more she practices her speech as he opens the door.. she rolls over.. pretends to sleep as he looks her over"
    she was prepared to stand up to him and end it... but then when the moment came she backed down
    and about the "she dreams in colour she dreams in red"... i think it does actually mean that she dreams of love... because she doesnt have it in her own life
    red has always, traditionally, symbolised love and passion... not blood...
    but i could be wrong. everyone is entitled to their own opinions
    this song rocks
    regan_89on June 28, 2003   Link
  • +6
    General CommentThis is an awesome song, though horribly sad. I always liked it, but it's recently taken on a deeper meaning to me. There is this girl who is one of my best friends that I always had slightly deeper feelings for. Anyway, she keeps settling for these guys whose league she is far beyond. And when she started to get the impression that I had feelings for her, she withdrew and went back to her self-destructive relationship patterns. Even when an opportunity for true happiness presents itself, she still withdraws. She can't find the better man.
    loopydateon May 14, 2002   Link
    • 3 Replies
  • +4
    My InterpretationFor some reason I always thought this was about a woman in an abusive relationship who is unable to leave because she feels she has no other choices.
    musicnutson November 11, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Commenti also think its a woman whos been with the same guy for so long that she thinks theres noone else better out there for her. shes just so used to being with him.

    i think this songs about eddie vedder's step father also.. i think he might have been abusive...dont quote me on that though.
    savannahon January 10, 2002   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • +2
    General CommentI think the line "She dreams in color, she dreams in red" is just an ironic little line thats saying "She can see everything, once you narrow it down to red." In other words, she can only focus on one man but knows there are others there for her.
    hueberton March 05, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Commentshe lies and says she's in love with him
    she dreams in colour, she dreams in red

    I think the "she dreams in colour" bit is her rational side. He probably provides for her, works, brings in the money. It's a *happy*, normal life. Even though she knows she doesn't love him, it's everything she should want. ie, all the colours.

    "She dreams in red" symbolises her knowing she doesn't really love him, so she dreams of love.

    In reference to the person who didn't understand why she couldn't find a better man..
    It's pretty much because he's so traditionally *perfect* for her. He brings in the money, gives her a home, and everything seems fine on the surface. She just doesn't love him.

    My thoughts anyway.
    regan_89on April 05, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentYeah, it's tied w/ his mom marrying some abusive guy and her too scared to leave. Eddie said he would ask her to leave but she would say "No I can't." (That's what I heard anyway."
    emo_SavestheDayon April 27, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis is my favoritist of many Pearl Jam favorites...

    I love this song, because it is sooo true. Sometimes people just don't have the strength left in them to get up and leave..

    "She dreams in color, she dreams in red" is my favorite Pearl Jam lyric ever. To me it means that despite the quote-unquote hell she is living through, she can still dream about a love and passion that she deserves, but feels she can't have...

    krystoniteon May 14, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Commentnot the clearest of PJ songs.

    i too think its about his mom and dad.

    she loved him, but he didnt really reciprocate. came home late every night - not necessarily abused her.

    "she dreams in colour......." i feeel more than the word "red" whats important here is the "colour" bit. like she dreams/imagines/longs for a very colourful married life, as different from this one sided relationship. "Red" is used to drive home that her dreams are of a "bright" warm and vibrant sort, unlike the cold, dark realities of her married life. however she fails to (1) find that "betterman" who will make all those colourful dreams come true and (2) muster enough courage and resolve to tell her husband on the face that she's had enough and now wants to walk away. she did however love this man once (so she cant so easily leave him this way and go) but now that love is waned, so she "lies and says she's in love with him".
    Bengal Tigeron February 10, 2005   Link

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