Better Things

Listen while you read: Better Things

Here's wishing you the bluest sky
And hoping something better comes tomorrow
Hoping all the verses rhyme
And the very best of choruses to follow
All the doubt and sadness
I know that better things are on the way

Here's hoping all the days ahead
Won't be as bitter as the ones behind you
Be an optimist instead
And somehow happiness will find you
Forget what happened yesterday
I know that better things are on the way

It's really good to see you rocking out
And having fun
Living like you just begun
Accept your life and what it brings
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things
I hope tomorrow you'll find better things

~  Ray Davies (The Kinks)

How's that for upbeat? For me, better things are on the way. My daughter arrives home for a visit tomorrow, and then I will head south to see my guy next week. My other daughter will leave her job in the Bahamas and make the trip back north with me to spend the summer here. The only thing missing is a visit with my son. I'll be an optimist and try to make that happen soon.

Sir Ray Davies, who was knighted a couple of months ago, wrote "Better Things" when he was divorcing his wife. (In 2011, American Songwriter named it their "Favorite Breakup Song.") It's the last track on Give the People What They Want, a rather dark and cynical album, released in 1981. As the last track, "Better Things" offers the promise that things will get better. But have they?

The dark songs on the album were inspired by Davies' experience while writing songs for The Kinks' previous album. He'd been watching American TV and noticed that it was becoming more and more sensational and that viewers were increasingly fascinated with violence and tragedy. Keep in mind that this was in 1979, years before reality TV became the norm. Davies likened that viewer fascination with the Romans watching Christians being fed to the lions. I can't help but think of people gathering to witness executions. While I do not think I would ever want to watch something so disturbing, I have to wonder, "What the hell is wrong with us???"

And has American television gotten any better? I cancelled my cable subscription years ago. I know, I know, I've missed out on "This Is Us." But then again, I choose to fill my home with music instead of drama. There's enough drama out there in the real world. "Give the people what they want -- and they'll get what they deserve" is a quote credited to The Kinks. It would be too easy to apply this quote to the disaster in the White House. But let's never forget that the people wanted someone else. By three million votes.

Well, it looks like I lost my optimism there, doesn't it? The Kinks finished their album on a positive note. Let me try to redeem myself with the last verse of the song:

I know you've got a lot of good things happening up ahead
The past is gone, it's all been said
So here's to what the future brings
I know tomorrow you'll find better things.

I know tomorrow I'll find better things.