Better Man

"Better Man“ is track eight of 5SOS‘ third studio album "Youngblood".

The band sings about how dull and repetitive his life seems now that he is no longer with his lover. He has slipped into unhealthy habits such as smoking and one night stands – reference to “Moving Along” from their "Youngblood" album. He knows that it will take time to mend himself but he knows that she brought out the best in him and though he thinks he should be bitter, he still cares and would die for her and her love.

From their Cocktail Chats (Episode 4):

Michael: I remember coming into the studio, we wrote this with The Monsters and Strangers and Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi. Me, Luke and Ali had kind of started this idea from a piano, we were kinda still figuring a way around it and we didn’t wanna commit to an idea because Andrew Watt is crazy. It was really interesting writing a song about to be with someone else and how good it feels to be committed to someone.

Ashton: The Young Lovell (Chap. 1.4) have written with us for a long time now so it was incredible to refuel the relationship with them. I really love the parts where the whole band got to play in them. It was our first solidification of our musical relationship with Andrew Watt. “Better Man” speaks to me in a way that sends me back to my high school days when I was in a funk band.
One thing I really enjoy on this record is the rhythms I get to play and I really love the melodic cadences, I really love the lyrics in this one.

Luke: Like Ashton was talking about, really cool rhythms we haven’t really touched on before.
Before that, I was in a very self-destructive place: “Find me at a quarter to three, cigarette in my hand. All of my wrongs, they led me right to you
Wrapped in your arms, I swear I’d die for your love.” Then it’s juxtaposed in the chorus, “With your love, I’m a better man.”

Calum: It’s technically really well written. Props to Michael, Luke, Ali Tamposi, Monsters and Strangers, Andrew Watt for writing this song. I think it’s a song that will resonate for our fans.
We recorded it in the house, of the guitarist of Bon Jovi’s house.