Better (Meghan Trainor song)

"Better" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor featuring American rapper Yo Gotti for her second major-label studio album Thank You (2016). Trainor, Gotti, Taylor Parks, Travis Sayles, Eric Frederic, Tommy Brown and Steven Franks wrote the song, and the latter three produced it. Initially released as a promotional single, the track was released on August 29, 2016, as the third single from the album. Lyrically, the dancehall, reggae, and pop song is an empowering breakup anthem. It was well received by critics who considered it a different direction for Trainor.

"Better"
Single by Meghan Trainor featuring Yo Gotti
from the album Thank You
ReleasedAugust 29, 2016 (2016-08-29)
Genre
Length2:47
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ricky Reed
  • Tommy Brown
  • Mr. Franks
Meghan Trainor singles chronology
"Me Too"
(2016)		 "Better"
(2016)		 "I'm a Lady"
(2017)
Yo Gotti singles chronology
"Champions"
(2016)		 "Better"
(2016)		 "Wait for It"
(2016)
Music video
"Better" on YouTube

"Better" peaked at number 35 on the US Adult Top 40 and at number 27 on the US Mainstream Top 40. Released on September 15, 2016, the music video was directed by Tim Mattia and featured a cameo from Beau Bridges. Critics praised it for telling an important story and being more raw than Trainor's previous releases. Trainor performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and included it on the setlist for The Untouchable Tour (2016).

Background and composition

Following a disagreement with label director L.A. Reid, Meghan Trainor created the single "No" with producer Ricky Reed. Ultimately, the song changed the direction of its parent album, as they started experimenting with new musical styles and produced six more tracks.[1] Trainor, Mario Mims, Taylor Parks, Travis Sayles, Eric Frederic, Tommy Brown and Steven Franks wrote "Better", and the latter three produced it.[2] The song was digitally released as the third promotional single from Trainor's second major-label studio album, Thank You (2016), on April 21, 2016.[3] It was serviced to adult contemporary radio as the third single from the album on August 29, 2016, and to top 40 radio and rhythmic radio on August 30.[4][5][6] On September 13, 2016, she unveiled the single artwork on her social media accounts.[7]

"Better" is a dancehall, reggae, and pop song with R&B influences.[8][9] The pop ballad features "funky drums" accompanied by guitar strings which gives it an "Island-esque" vibe.[10] The track has steel percussion, syncopated guitar, and a loping beat which gives it a caribbean feel.[11] It features Trainor criticizing her ex-boyfriend, with lyrics about how she deserves better, over a tropical beat.[12] On his rap verse, Gotti talks about treating Trainor the way that she deserves.[3] Colin Stutz of Billboard called it an "empowering breakup anthem".[9] According to Christina Lee of Idolator, the song is more vulnerable than Trainor's previous efforts.[13]

Reception

"Better" was well received from critics. Writing for Andpop, Rebecca Matina opined that "Better" is a step in a different direction from Trainor's previous works and wrote "we’re loving the throwback-Rihanna vibes that we’re getting".[14] Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine praised the track, writing that Trainor was down-to-earth and "it feels like we’re catching a glimpse of the real Meghan".[15] Isabella Biedenharn of Entertainment Weekly called the song "woozy" and "ethereal", but added that it sounds like "a castoff from Selena Gomez’s Revival.[16]

"Better" peaked at number 35 on the US Adult Top 40 and at number 27 on the US Mainstream Top 40.[17]

Music video

Background and concept
The song's music video features a cameo appearance by Beau Bridges (pictured in 2008).

On September 13, 2016, Trainor posted the first teaser of the music video for "Better" on her Instagram, followed by the second teaser on the next day.[18] On September 15, 2016, Trainor released the video, directed by Tim Mattia.[19] It featured a cameo from Beau Bridges with themes revolving around drug addiction and alcohol abuse.[20] Trainor got a temporary tattoo of scissors for her role in the video.[21]

Synopsis

The video begins with Trainor bailing her grandfather (Beau Bridges) out of a county jail. Trainor gives him a ride from the prison to a barbershop. He apologizes in the car while asking Trainor to pick up his pills from the store and Trainor admits she had already bought them to him, which he denies. The song begins as Trainor and Bridges enter the barbershop where she works as a hairdresser.[22] As the video progresses, Trainor serves customers while her grandfather deals with his substance abuse. He has a fight in a bar and faints. A bartender (Yo Gotti) calls Trainor to inform her of this. Trainor brings him back to the house where she has fights with her grandfather. Following scenes show Gotti consoling Trainor. The video ends with Bridges being arrested again and Trainor breaking down in tears. Alternatively, the video could have been a flashback with latter events leading up to the arrest at the beginning.[23]

Reception

The music video received critical acclaim. Fuse's Bianca Gracie praised Trainor for "get[ting] a little more raw and tell[ing] an important story that doesn't come off as too try-hard" and described the video as a "dramatic" short film.[24] Also believing that the video "contains a serious message", Lauren Daley of The Boston Globe noted that it is reminiscent of MTV's "'80s and '90s video heyday".[25] Allison Sadlier of Entertainment Weekly thought the video saw Trainor take an emotional journey and took the song to "new emotional heights"[26] and Sophie Schillaci of Entertainment Tonight wrote that Trainor "turn[s] up the drama".[27] Describing the video as a new style for Trainor, Much's Allison Bowsher said that she "is doing a 180, showing off her acting chops and shining light on substance abuse".[28] Digital Spy's Joe Anderton gave the video a more mixed review, writing that the concept "is great, especially considering it's a song we assumed to be about a boyfriend on first listen - but it doesn't really go far enough to make a proper impact".[29]

Live performances

Trainor performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[30] The song was part of Trainor's setlist for The Untouchable Tour (2016).[31]

Charts
Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[32] 35
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[17] 27

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States April 22, 2016 Digital download Epic [33]
August 29, 2016 Adult contemporary radio [4]
August 30, 2016 Top 40 radio [5]
Rhythmic radio [6]

References
  1. Kennedy, Gerrick (March 4, 2016). "Ready for a different Meghan Trainor? She says she's 'intense' with new album 'Thank You'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  2. "Better - Meghan Trainor - Song Info". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 12, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  3. Blum, Sam (April 22, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Releases 'Better' Feat. Yo Gotti". Fuse. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  4. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases - Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates - AllAccess". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  5. "Top 40/M Future Releases - Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates - AllAccess". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  6. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases - R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates - AllAccess". AllAccess Music Group. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  7. Trainor, Meghan [@Meghan_Trainor] (September 13, 2016). "Single artwork for #Better ft. @yogottikom 🌹 instagram.com/p/BKTsfE7hoE5/" (Tweet). Retrieved April 14, 2020 – via Twitter.
  8. "There's A Dancehall-Reggae Fusion Trend Taking Over The Music Scene". Much. May 18, 2016. Archived from the original on March 10, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  9. Stutz, Colin (April 22, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Asserts Herself on 'Better' With Yo Gotti". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 8, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  10. Lilah, Rose (April 22, 2016). "Meghan Trainor - Better Feat. Yo Gotti [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  11. Conaton, Chris (May 25, 2016). "Meghan Trainor: Thank You (Deluxe Edition)". PopMatters. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  12. Roth, Madeline (April 22, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Puts Her Ex On Blast On New Yo Gotti-Featuring Track 'Better'". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  13. Lee, Christina (April 22, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Drops 'Better' Featuring Yo Gotti". Idolator. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  14. Matina, Rebecca (May 13, 2016). "Track By Track Review: Thank You by Meghan Trainor". Andpop. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  15. Camp, Alexa (May 7, 2016). "Meghan Trainor: Thank You". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  16. Biedenharn, Isabella (May 12, 2016). "Meghan Trainor's 'Thank You': EW Review". Entertainment Weekly. New York. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  17. "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  18. Wass, Mike (September 14, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Teases Gritty 'Better' Video". Idolator. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  19. "Meghan trainor premieres music video for new single 'Better' featuring Yo Gotti". Epic Records. September 15, 2016. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  20. Kiefer, Halle (September 15, 2016). "Oh, Great, Meghan Trainor Made Her New 'Better' Music Video About the Saddest Thing in the World". Vulture. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  21. Kowalski, Kristine Hope (September 15, 2016). "Did Meghan Trainor Get a Tattoo?". Twist. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  22. Geffen, Sasha (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor's 'Better' Video Is A Surprisingly Dark Drama". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  23. Penrose, Nerisha (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Deserves 'Better' in New Music Video, Feat. Yo Gotti". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  24. Gracie, Bianca (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor's 'Better' Video Is a Dark Story of Alcohol Abuse". Fuse. Archived from the original on June 20, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  25. Daley, Lauren. "A conquering pop hero, Meghan Trainor brings it all back home". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  26. Sadlier, Allison (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor's Better music video features Beau Bridges". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  27. Schillaci, Sophie (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor and Beau Bridges Are a Dysfunctional Family Duo in 'Better' Music Video". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on May 3, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  28. Bowsher, Allison (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Drops Gritty Video For 'Better' Featuring Yo Gotti". Much. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  29. Anderton, Joe (September 15, 2016). "Meghan Trainor deals with an alcoholic grandfather in her gritty new music video for 'Better'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  30. Wass, Mike (August 30, 2016). "Meghan Trainor Performs 'Better' On 'Fallon'". Idolator. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  31. Ball-Dionne, Caila (July 23, 2016). "Meghan Trainor At L.A.'s Greek Theatre: Self Empowerment Reigns". Idolator. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  32. "Meghan Trainor Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  33. "Better: Meghan Trainor feat. Yo Gotti: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. April 22, 2016. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
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