I move on like a sinners prayer,
And letting go like a levee breaks
Walk away as if I don't care,
Learn to shoulder my mistakes
Or built to fade like your favorite song,
Get reckless when there's no need
Laugh as your stories ramble on,
Break my heart, but it won't bleed...

My only friends are pirates
That's just who I am
But I'm better as a memory than as your man

Never sure when the truth won't bend
And pretty good on a lonely night
Or move on the way a storm blows through,
And never stay, but then again, I might.
I struggle sometimes to find the words,
Always sure until I doubt
Walk a line until it blurs
Build walls too high to climb out

But I'm honest to a fault
That's just who I am
I'm better as a memory than as your man

I see you leaning, you're bound to fall,
I don't want to be that mistake
I'm just a dreamer and nothing more,
You should know it before it gets too late...

Cause goodbyes are like a roulette wheel,
You never know where they're gonna land
First you're spinning, then you're standing still,
Left holding a losing hand...

But one day you're gonna find someone,
And right away you'll know it's true
That all of your sinking's done
It was just a part of the passing through

Right there in that moment
You'll finally understand
That I was better as a memory than as your man...
Better as a memory than as your man



Lyrics submitted by Carries_Reddest_Fan

Track duration: 04:13


Better As A Memory song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I started to fall in love with a guy I knew I could never ever ever ever be with. I probably did fall in love with him but that's not important. I was a sophomore, he was senior last year and graduated. He went into the military and I haven't seen him since. I only get to talk to him sporatically. But the other day when I heard this song on Pandora I realized that it reminded me of him. We would never be able to be together and he was better as a memory because my memories of being with him are probably the happiest memories I have. Do I miss him? God, yes. Everyday. But he's better off staying in the past since he'll never be a part of my future.
    Flag ebethweston December 21, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:By far one of Kenny's greatest songs, both vocally and lyrically. He's saying that in the end, no matter how much it's hurting her right now, he is not the right guy for her. Throughout the song he lists off his qualities, stating that who he is just isn't the right fit for her. He sees her starting to fall in love with him, he can tell that it would be an unrequited love, so he's ending it now in attempt to save her from further pain.

    Haunting, beautiful song.
    Flag mdhmusic24on August 24, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I hate this F-ing song!!!!!!!! Hate it hate it hate it. Ugh.... am falling in love with someone (okay, albeit I can't be with him for certain reasons) and he tells me to listen to this song when I get home tonight after going out with some friends. Great way to ruin the night, and tomorrow's night, and the night after that. I hate this song, and the only thing missing is dog getting run over and killed. Total downer song.
    Flag Stiletto4uon August 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Great song. Great lyrics especially when he says, " my only friends are pirates" & "break my heart but it won't bleed". One of kenny's best vocally.
    Flag dmblova3321on February 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is the saddest song i've ever heard, mostly because i'm in this situation right now. People stay in relationships because thats all they know and they're afraid to end them cause you don't know what comes next. Pretty much you feel like you lose no matter what you do. It's hard to lose someone you love so much, but in the back of your mind you know thats the only thing you can do. If the relationship isn't working, its best to make a clean break. Its harder than hell, but love will come back to you.
    Flag ahsilalishaon March 09, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:This is a brutally honest song. So many times, we hold onto relationships because basically we don't have the guts to end it. He's saying, Im going to be completely honest with you, I love you but my heart is divided. I can continue to try and ignore it, but eventually it will break your heart. So get out now before that happens. I believe Kenny wants to but can't sacrifice the life he has to share it with someone else.
    Flag jj9999on November 30, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:It's not a break up better as a memory thing. It's that he knows she's falling in love with him but he can't return the love like she wants. He's not built like that. He can't feel it even if he wanted to. He doesn't want to hurt her but he knows he will if she falls so he's letting her go and trying to make her understand she'll be better off.
    Flag L07sarahon August 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i feel like this song describes me perfectly

    i think the song is about never being able to love someone as much as they love you. all these little flaws about him attribute to why he needs to let go of her so that he doesn't hurt her. he cares about her so much that he knows the best thing for her is to let her go. he knows himself and knows what's gonna happen if they keep going. he knows how far his emotions will go and how far hers will too.

    "i struggle sometimes to find the words"

    i feel like i understand the song so well but i just can't get the right words out to describe the song =\
    Flag omfgnamon May 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song makes me so sad, it reminds me of my friend destin that just died :(
    Flag ali44on March 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:**Lost interest. Damn, if i could type, it'd be too soon. :P
    Flag kayteepeeon January 11, 2009   Link

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