Better Things (The Kinks song)

"Better Things"
Single by The Kinks
from the album Give the People What They Want
B-side
  • "Massive Reductions" (UK)
  • "Yo-yo" (US)
Released19 June 1981 (UK)
28 November 1981 (US)
RecordedApril 1981 at Konk Studios, Hornsey, London
GenrePop[1]
Length2:59 (single version)
2:44 (LP version)
LabelArista ARIST 415 (UK)
Arista AS 0649 (US)
Songwriter(s)Ray Davies
Producer(s)Ray Davies
The Kinks UK singles chronology
"Pressure"
(1979)
"Better Things"
(1981)
"Predictable"
(1981)
The Kinks US singles chronology
"Destroyer"
(1981)
"Better Things"
(1981)
"Come Dancing"
(1983)

"Better Things" is a song by The Kinks, released as a single in June 1981 in the UK and November 1981 in the US.[2] A slightly shorter version was later released on their album Give the People What They Want.

Written about Ray Davies's failing marriage, the song originated during the Low Budget sessions. The song was completed in 1981 and released as a single, reaching number 46 in the UK and number 92 in America. The single marked the band's first appearance in the UK charts since 1972.

In 2011 American Songwriter named "Better Things" their Favorite Break Up Song.[1]

  1. ^ a b "The 30-Day Song Selection Spectacular: #4, Favorite Breakup Song". American Songwriter. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Better Things". Kinks.it.rit.edu. Archived from the original on 4 January 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2012.