hey my friend
it seems your eyes are troubled
care to share your time with me
would you say you're feeling low and so
a good idea would be to get it off your mind
see you and me
have a better time than most can dream
have it better than the best
so can pull on through
whatever tears at us
whatever holds us down
and if nothing can be done
we'll make the best of what's around
turns out not where but who you're with
that really matters
and hurts not much when you're around
and if you hold on tight
to what you think is your thing
you may find you're missing all the rest
well she run up into the light surprised
her arms are open
her mind's eye is
seeing things from a
better side than most can dream
on a clearer road i feel
oh you could say she's safe
whatever tears at her
whatever holds her down
and if nothing can be done
she'll make the best of what's around



Lyrics submitted by danielsyddall, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 05:16


The Best of What's Around song meanings
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44 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:The refrain in this song... "Hey la oh oh...Hey la oh oh..." is beautiful melody, very complex, you can listen to it over and over and hear all of the different layers, lyrics, cymbals, sax, drums, violins...it's a perfect blend, and a great way to open such a great album.
    Flag flagcollectoron November 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was watching VH1 storytellers and Dave cleary said this song was about the best weed he has ever smoked before. Dave and the Band were searching for some marijuana after playing a small show and he said "we'll make the best of whats around". The 2nd line clearly relates on how red Tim Reynolds eyes were after they got done smoking.
    Flag seanboy88on February 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is my song to all my friends: yeah, life's tough, but we have each other!! and we'll make the best of what we have and realize that everything can be worst than it is.
    Flag kdawg08on December 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Best Dave song ever created.

    Whatever happens, happens, and we'll get through it.
    Flag renegade0on November 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They even named the greatest hits after this song and it's still grossly underappreciated.

    I hope this is the last song they ever play. Encore #3 on their last concert. Man, that'd be so awesome.

    I miss the DMB of the 90s.
    Flag T_D_Phoenixon July 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Places and material objects don't amount to much when you compare them to friends.
    Flag jpmarin21on June 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing song. wish they played it in philly but hopefully they will play it in scranton =]

    got to point out stefan lessard's bass in this song.. quite an underated bass player
    Flag bottlerocket88on June 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is, like many of you have said, my favorite song ever. This is a song that has been through all of my ups and downs. Whenever I am really upset about something, I listen to this song and everything is OK. It is so inspiring

    Seeing things from a
    Better side than most can dream
    On a clearer road I feel
    Oh you could say she's safe
    Whatever tears at her
    Whatever holds her down
    And if nothing can be done
    She'll make the best of what's around

    It basically just tells me to pick myself up and keep on truckin' because I'm gonna make the best of what's around.

    Also, it is so powerful because it kind of alludes to a relationship. Although things are not always perfect in the relationship, the world takes less of a toll on them when they are together, so even though things are not amazing, they will make the best of what they have and the time that they are given together.
    Flag kismet16on March 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about livin in the moment!!!

    Also, its about having someone thats a bestfriend/lover b/c he sings about adoring someone who lives in the moment and together they live life....hence...."And if nothing can be done
    WELL make the best of what's around".

    Makes me look at life like this....

    dont live in the past....its already done
    dont live in the future....its unsure
    LIVE now in the moment.....its eternity

    Cheers
    Flag groovejeton February 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it definately 'turns out not where, but who your with that REALLY matters.' i don't need a damn sea view to be pleased with someone. definately means more to me who i'm with than where i am. love this song.
    Flag kimilouwhoon August 29, 2006   Link

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