Maren Morris just released a new single called “Better Than We Found It.”
This track asks listeners to think about the part they’re playing in today’s world. After all, the decisions we make today affect those around us and they have the power to change the future… for better or for worse.
Morris understands that not everyone agrees with her point of view (although her point of view isn’t entirely clear in the song itself) and some are harsher than others in their response (“If you don’t like it, then get the h— out”/That’s what they yell when I open my mouth”).
Yet, even though some may disagree, Morris plans to keep talking in order to bring about change: “But who’s gonna care if I don’t?/Who’s gonna change if I won’t?”
She believes that “when time turns this moment to dust” the most important thing for her is to live in such a way that she can hold her head high: “I just hope that I’m proud of the woman I was/Can I live with the side that I chose to be on?”
And she asks listeners what they will do to bring about change (“Will we sit on our hands, do nothin’ about it?/Or will we leave this world better than we found it?”), especially for those who have been wrongfully accused or killed by police officers (“My neighbor’s in danger, who does he call?/When the wolf’s at the door all covered in blue”).
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Morris said of her track that “I wanted to write something to address how I feel right now…It’s a protest song…I think the world right now is sort of in a perpetual mourning period and I wanted to have a song that had weight but also had hope…”
The weight and hope she speaks of are not just in the lyrics, but in the accompanying video. Directed by Gabrielle Woodland, the video shows snippets from people around the U.S. who are protesting against discrimination, while also showcasing the family members who have lost loved ones to police brutality. Toward the end, the word “Vote” appears across the screen. As the video wraps up, Morris sits with her new baby, promising to love people well and to work to make the world a better place for her child.
And these same sentiments are heard in the song. Yes, there is one profanity in the opening line of this track, and there are references to police brutality, but the overarching theme encourages listeners to think about how their actions affect others.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
