Better Days (Dermot Kennedy song) explained

Better Days
Cover:Better Days Dermot Kennedy.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Dermot Kennedy
Album:Sonder
Length:3:18
Label:Island
Producer:
  • Daniel Nigro
  • Ryan Linvill
Prev Title:Don't Cry
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Something to Someone
Next Year:2022

"Better Days" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy. It was released on 28 July 2021 via Island Records. Kennedy wrote the song with Daniel Nigro, Carey Willetts, Sam Roman and Scott Harris, and it was produced by Nigro and Ryan Linvill.[1]

Background

In an interview with Songwriter Universe, Kennedy stated he wrote the song in February 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] In September, during his tour of America, he told American Songwriter: "The way I saw it, that was almost the voice of my mother and father telling me to hold out and to know that my music would work out someday. Anytime I felt disheartened, felt down, like it wasn't going to work out—that's where this song sits for me".[3]

Content

In a press release, Kennedy explained: "This is a song about patience. It's about believing in something brighter, and never losing sight of better days, no matter how hard things might get. In a time where so many people feel worried and exhausted, I would love for this song to remind even one person that things will improve. As an artist, I feel somewhat responsible to try to make people feel a little better, whether that’s making them think of someone they love, or just taking their mind off their problems for the length of a song. So this is my contribution to hopefully providing some people with a moment's solace. Better days will come".[4] The song "come[s] with the kind of optimism and hopes Dermot has been so vocal about throughout his career, providing support and solace to so many".[5]

Critical reception

Nora Onanian of WERS wrote that the song "feels like being lifted out of fog. [And] also gives a taste of a new direction Kennedy seems to be going in musically".[6] Ed Power of The Irish Times commented that it "skilfully binds together elements of every popular Irish artist of the past 25 years", like The Script, and " in the choral backing sung in Irish, of The Cranberries at their most ethereal".[7]

Music video

The music video was directed by Paul Gore. It showcases Kennedy "fighting a powerful jet stream underwater, push[ing] forward in scenes filled with tension, energy and movement", with him eventually "prevailing in his physical struggle".[8]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 20

Year-end charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 33
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 171

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dermot Kennedy Premieres New Song "Better Days" on BBC Radio 1. PM Studio. 29 July 2021. 8 December 2021.
  2. Web site: Acclaimed Irish Artist Dermot Kennedy Talks About His New Single "Better Days," His Excellent Album Without Fear, And His Hit "Outnumbered". Songwriter Universe. Kawashima. Dale. 17 August 2021. 8 December 2021.
  3. Web site: Ireland's Dermot Kennedy Treats People Well, Highlights "Better Days". American Songwriter. Uitti. Jacob. 9 September 2021. 8 December 2021.
  4. Web site: 'Better Days' the new single from Dermot Kennedy. Total Ntertainment. 29 July 2021. 8 December 2021.
  5. Web site: Dermot Kennedy Better Days. Universal Music Ireland. 27 July 2021. 8 December 2021.
  6. Web site: Pick of the Week: Dermot Kennedy "Better Days". WERS. Onanian. Nora. 12 September 2021. 8 December 2021.
  7. News: Dermot Kennedy: Better Days – A great big Michael Flatley of a torch song. The Irish Times. Poewr. Ed. 28 July 2021. 8 December 2021.
  8. Web site: Dermot Kennedy Shares New Single And Music Video "Better Days". Imprintent. 28 July 2021 . 8 December 2021.
  9. Web site: Laurence Guy / Dermot Kennedy – Better Days / Credits. AllMusic. 8 December 2021.
  10. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 9 August 2021. 8 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Ireland's official biggest songs of 2021. Official Charts Company. Griffiths. George. 9 January 2022. 9 January 2022.
  12. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2022. Ultratop. nl. 13 January 2023.