Better Than I Know Myself Explained

Better Than I Know Myself
Cover:ALBTIKM2012.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Adam Lambert
Album:Trespassing
Released:December 20, 2011
Genre:Synthpop
Length:3:36
Label:RCA
Prev Title:Sleepwalker
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:Never Close Our Eyes
Next Year:2012

"Better Than I Know Myself" is a song by American recording artist Adam Lambert from his second studio album, Trespassing.[1] The song was released as the album's lead single on December 20, 2011. It was released to US mainstream radio on January 24, 2012. The song was written and produced by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and Ammo, and co-written by Claude Kelly.[2]

Background and composition

On December 15, 2011 RCA Records announced that "Better Than I Know Myself" would serve as the lead single from Adam Lambert's upcoming second studio album, Trespassing due for March 2012.[1] The following day the song premiered in full online. The song was released via iTunes on December 20, 2011, in the United States. "Better Than I Know Myself" is a synthpop ballad.[3] The instrumentation consists of a thumping bass beat, a keyboard, and "retro synth washes" as described by Bill Lamb of About.com.[4] Lyrically, the song revolves around romantic regret.[4] Adam Lambert sings about "a lover who knows you inside and out".[3]

Critical reception

"Better Than I Know Myself" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Contessa Gayles of AOL Music Blog wrote, "The 'American Idol' star's new mid-tempo track is a Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly production about a lover who knows you inside and out" and called the song an "epic piano ballad". She also complimented Adam Lambert's "gifted vocals".[3] Bill Lamb of About.com said, "Adam Lambert's voice is a unique and powerful instrument, but when the song and production are dull, even the best voice can't completely turn things around."[4]

Liz Barker of MTV called the song "one of Adam's biggest, boldest and most beautiful tracks to date".[5] Billboard's Jason Lipshutz compared the song's "winning pop-rock formula" to Lambert's 2009 breakthrough single "Whataya Want from Me" and wrote: "While "Better Than I Know Myself" is not as immediately overpowering, repeated listenings amplify the untamed vulnerability that has become Lambert's defining asset. [...] Like any talented pop artist, Lambert understands subtle reflection as well as epic bombast."[6] According to Rolling Stone reviewer Jody Rosen, the song showcases "Lambert's superhuman vocal range", while referring to the song as "formulaic pop".[7]

Chart performance

In the United States, the song debuted at number seventy-six on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart dated January 7, 2012, before its official radio add date. It was only successful in select countries such as Finland and Japan, in both of which it charted in the top ten. It failed to reach the Top 40 in the United States and is Lambert's lowest charting single to date.

Music video

The music video was directed by Ray Kay and premiered on February 3, 2012, on Lambert's official Vevo page. The video's concept deals with duality and the conflict between the darker and lighter sides of Lambert which is also explored on the album. The video begins with the two characters in a room separated by a glass window. In the course of the video the two get into an argument resulting in the dark side polluting the light side's oxygen supply. It ends with the dark side rescuing his better half by breaking through the glass and connecting with him, making the both of them form into one person.[8]

Live performances

Adam Lambert performed "Better Than I Know Myself" for the first time on January 17, 2012, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.[9] He appeared with minimal make-up while wearing a black suit and white shirt with no tie.[10] He then performed the song on January 19, 2012, on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Track listing

Digital download
  1. "Better Than I Know Myself" – 3:36
CD single
  1. "Better Than I Know Myself" – 3:35
  2. "Better Than I Know Myself" (Alex Ghenea Remix) – 3:23
"Better Than I Know Myself" - The Remixes EP
  1. "Better Than I Know Myself" (Alex Ghenea Remix) – 3:23
  2. "Better Than I Know Myself" (Dave Audé Dubstep Remix) - 4:00
  3. "Better Than I Know Myself" (Robert Marvin & Shearer Remix) - 3:35

Charts

Chart (2011–12)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[11] 83
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[12] 56
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[13] 9
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[14] 1
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[15] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 76
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[17] 18

Radio and release history

CountryDateFormatLabel
Worldwide[18] December 20, 2011Digital download
United StatesJanuary 23, 2012[19] Adult contemporary radio airplay
January 24, 2012[20] Mainstream radio airplay
GermanyMarch 9, 2012[21] Digital download
March 16, 2012[22] CD single

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Global Superstar Adam Lambert To Release Highly Anticipated Second Album 'Trespassing' On March 20th, 2012 . RCA Records . 2011-12-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107185320/http://www.rcarecords.com/news/global-superstar-adam-lambert-release-highly-anticipated-second-album-trespassing-march-20th-20 . 2012-01-07 .
  2. Web site: Adam Lambert Announces "Better Than I Know Myself" As Lead 'Trespassing' Single. 2011-11-19. 2011-12-16.
  3. Web site: Gayles. Contessa. Adam Lambert 'Better Than I Know Myself' Song Debuts. AOL. 2011-12-21. 2011-12-16. 2012-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20120125051814/http://blog.music.aol.com/2011/12/16/adam-lambert-better-than-i-know-myself/. dead.
  4. Web site: Lamb. Bill. Review: Adam Lambert - Better Than I Know Myself. About.com. 2011-12-21. 2012-01-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20120121055658/http://top40.about.com/od/adamlambert/gr/Adam-Lambert-Better-Than-I-Know-Myself.htm. dead.
  5. Web site: Barker. Liz. New Song: Adam Lambert, 'Better Than I Know Myself'. https://web.archive.org/web/20120109061006/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/12/19/adam-lambert-better-than-i-know-myself. dead. January 9, 2012. MTV. 2011-12-23. 2011-12-19.
  6. Lipshutz. Jason. Track Review: Adam Lambert, 'Better Than I Know Myself'. Billboard. 2012-01-19. 2012-01-02.
  7. Rosen. Jody. Better Than I Know Myself Song Reviews. Rolling Stone. 2012-01-19. 2011-12-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20160729192946/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/better-than-i-know-myself-20111230. 2016-07-29. dead.
  8. Web site: Lansky, Sam . New Video: Adam Lambert, 'Better Than I Know Myself' . https://web.archive.org/web/20120205233113/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2012/02/03/adam-lambert-better-than-i-know-myself-video . dead . February 5, 2012 . 2012-03-02 . 2012-04-22.
  9. Shirley. Halperin. Video: 'American Idol's' Adam Lambert Debuts New Look, Single On 'The Tonight Show'. Billboard. Billboard. 2012-01-18. 2012-01-18.
  10. Web site: Sciarretto. Amy. Adam Lambert Performs 'Better Than I Know Myself' With Less Eyeliner on 'Tonight Show'. PopCrush. 2012-01-19. 2012-01-18.
  11. Web site: ARIA Charts - Chartifacts . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100917070536/http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm . 2010-09-17 .
  12. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=adam lambert|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}} Adam Lambert: Better Than I Know Myself on Canadian Hot 100]. Billboard. B.Biz. 2011-12-29.
  13. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=adam lambert|chart=Japan Hot 100}} Billboard Japan Hot 100 ]. Billboard. Billboard . 2012-03-05.
  14. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Overseas. Japanese. Billboard Japan. 5 March 2012. 5 March 2012.
  15. Web site: South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: January 01, 2012 to January 07, 2012) . . December 15, 2012 . December 21, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121219094524/http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/online/download/list.gaon . December 19, 2012 .
  16. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=adam lambert|chart=Hot 100}} US Billboard Hot 100: Biggest Jump]. Billboard. Billboard. 2011-12-29.
  17. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=adam lambert|chart=all}} US Billboard Adult Pop Songs]. Billboard. Billboard.
  18. Web site: iTunes - Music - Better Than I Know Myself - Single by Adam Lambert. iTunes Store. 2011-12-21.
  19. Web site: Hot/Modern/AC > Future Releases . All Access Music Group . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107041555/http://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases . January 7, 2012 .
  20. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases . All Access Music Group . 2012-01-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107043603/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases . January 7, 2012 .
  21. Web site: Better Than I Know Myself: Adam Lambert: Amazon.de: MP3-Downloads . Amazon.de . 2012-03-17.
  22. Web site: Better Than I Know Myself: Adam Lambert: Amazon.de: Musik . Amazon.de . 2012-03-17.