Lyrics to Better

  • DEMONS

    You ask me why I take my pills
    I say, “Cause I feel sad
    ”And scared, and sometimes really ill”
    You say you understand
    But you are only nine years old
    So I don’t breathe a word
    About the things you can’t be told
    The things you’ve never heard

    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    All the things I dread
    When I lie awake in bed, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    You must never know
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    The torture and the pain
    The fear I’ll go insane, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    Just hope someday he’ll go

    You ask why I need therapy
    I say, “To talk it out”
    You ask what do I need to speak
    To some strange man about?
    But you are only nine years old
    So I just shrug and smile
    And keep the things you can’t be told
    Inside another while

    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    All the things I dread
    When I lie awake in bed, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    You must never know
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    The torture and the pain
    The fear I’ll go insane, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    Just hope someday he’ll go

    I know ‘cause you are very bright
    Someday you’ll understand
    I hope that you don’t see the night
    And learn these things first hand
    For you are everything to me
    My sun, my stars, my moon
    So I won’t set my demons free
    Just hope they leave me soon

    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    All the things I dread
    When I lie awake in bed, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Demons in my head
    You must never know
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    The torture and the pain
    The fear I’ll go insane, no
    I can’t tell you ‘bout the
    Devil in my brain
    Just hope someday he’ll go

  • STILL LOVE YOU

    You can tell me you hate me
    And tell me I’m a bad mum
    But I’m still so proud
    Of the girl you’ve become
    You can scream in my face
    You can push me away
    But it doesn’t matter
    Yeah it’s still okay
    You can be fierce and rough
    And spiky and cold
    And a pain in the butt
    Cos you’re 13 years old
    Yeah you’re meant to be angry
    You’re meant to rebel
    So let it all out girl
    And make my life hell

    Whatever you do, I still love you
    I’m sorry, it’s true, I still love you
    You’re driving me mad, I still love you
    You’re making me sad, I still love you
    You kick me and miss, I still love you
    You flail with your fists, I still love you
    You say I can’t rap, I still love you
    Say my records are pap, I still love you

    You’ve had good reason
    To be hopping mad
    You were seventeen months old
    When I left your dad
    You saw your parents
    Full of anger and hate
    We couldn’t patch things up
    It was too late
    Then he went and started
    A new family
    It wasn’t easy for you
    It wasn’t easy for me
    You’ve had a challenge
    At every stage
    So I ain’t gonna judge you
    For being in a rage

    Whatever you do, I still love you
    I’m sorry, it’s true, I still love you
    You’re driving me mad, I still love you
    You’re making me sad, I still love you
    You kick me and miss, I still love you
    You flail with your fists, I still love you
    You say I can’t rap, I still love you
    Say my records are pap, I still love you

    When you get the hump
    There’s no talking you round
    Humour and kindness
    Are thin on the ground
    But I know you love me
    I remember, you see
    That frightening night
    I spent in A&E
    We thought my heart failed
    We thought I was dying
    You were hysterical
    Screaming and crying
    So I know your toughness
    Is all a facade
    Inside you’re soft
    It’s just outside you’re hard

    Whatever you do, I still love you
    I’m sorry, it’s true, I still love you
    You’re driving me mad, I still love you
    You’re making me sad, I still love you
    You kick me and miss, I still love you
    You flail with your fists, I still love you
    You say I can’t rap, I still love you
    Say my records are pap, I still love you

  • BUTTERFLY

    You soar like a butterfly
    Make daytime out of night
    Lighting the coral sky
    So beautiful and bright
    You soar like a butterfly
    Angelic, full of grace
    Your mischievous amber eyes
    The smile upon your face

     And I will always love you
    ’Til the stars fade into black
    And I will always love you
    Life begins when you come back
    And I will always love you
    ’Til the sun explodes the sky
    And I will always love you
    My sweet darling butterfly

    You take refuge in my arms
    I’ve never felt so glad
    To be shelter from the storm
    To save you feeling sad
    Your shimmering golden skin
    Your caramel streaked hair
    I never thought my darkness
    Would birth a girl so fair

     And I will always love you
    ’Til the stars fade into black
    And I will always love you
    Life begins when you come back
    And I will always love you
    ’Til the sun explodes the sky
    And I will always love you
    My sweet darling butterfly

    Your face always in a book
    A concentrated frown
    So vivid and so colourful
    So up and rarely down
    The world it is drawn to you
    You sparkle like the sea
    I’m blessed to belong to you
    You’re everything to me

    And I will always love you
    ’Til the stars fade into black
    And I will always love you
    Life begins when you come back
    And I will always love you
    ’Til the sun explodes the sky
    And I will always love you
    My sweet darling butterfly

     And I will always love you
    ’Til the stars fade into black
    And I will always love you
    Life begins when you come back
    And I will always love you
    ’Til the sun explodes the sky
    And I will always love you
    My sweet darling butterfly

     And I will always love you
    ’Til the stars fade into black
    And I will always love you
    Life begins when you come back
    And I will always love you
    ’Til the sun explodes the sky
    And I will always love you
    My sweet darling butterfly

  • HAPPY

    You could be a pop star
    You could be a scientist
    You could be anything
    Why not make a big long list?
    You could be a model
    You could do art
    You could do anything
    ‘Cause you’re really smart
    You could be a doctor
    You could be a nurse
    You could be a poet
    Writing funny verse
    You could be an architect
    And design houses
    Or do fashion
    Lots of tops and trousers

    All I want you to be is happy, is happy
    All I want you to be is happy

    You could be a lawyer
    You could be a judge
    You could be a chocolatier
    Busy making fudge
    You could be a writer
    You’re definitely able
    You could be a carpenter
    It’s all on the table
    You could be a pharmacist
    Dealing out drugs
    You could be a teacher
    And get lots of hugs
    You could make bread and
    Spend life baking
    You could be anything
    It’s there for the taking

    All I want you to be is happy, is happy
    All I want you to be is happy

    You are the best thing in the whole wide world
    And it is your oyster, my beautiful girl
    Do what you love and your life will be great
    I can’t wait to see what you do, because I love you

    You could be an actor
    Go on stage
    You could be anything
    At your tender age
    You could be a gymnast
    Or a surveyor
    You could be a darts
    Or a football player
    You could be a DJ
    Spinning the decks
    Or an optician
    Fitting people’s specs
    You could be a firefighter
    Putting out fires
    You could be a boss
    Anything your heart desires

    All I want you to be is happy, is happy
    All I want you to be is happy (repeat to fade)

  • SECRET ASIAN

    Thought you’d have brown skin
    And dark brown eyes
    So when I gave birth to you
    It was a surprise
    You have golden hair
    And eyes of green
    And the fairest golden skin
    That I’ve ever seen

    You’re my secret Asian
    And I’m so so glad
    That you won’t face the racism
    That I have had
    You don’t look like me
    My angel girl
    But you’re the soul I love most
    In the whole wide world


    We don’t look like family
    But your nose
    And mouth and lashes
    All come from me
    Your small chin
    And your full cheeks
    And my daddy gave you
    Those caramel streaks

    You’re my secret Asian
    And I’m so so glad
    That you won’t face the racism
    That I have had
    You don’t look like me
    My angel girl
    But you’re the soul I love most
    In the whole wide world


    No spit
    Sprayed in your face
    No being told to go home
    To a faraway place
    No cruel taunts
    No racist names
    No crime or terrorism
    Where your race gets the blame

    You’re my secret Asian
    And I’m so so glad
    That you won’t face the racism
    That I have had
    You don’t look like me
    My angel girl
    But you’re the soul I love most
    In the whole wide world

    You’re my secret Asian
    And I’m so so glad
    That you won’t face the racism
    That I have had
    You don’t look like me
    My angel girl
    But you’re the soul I love most
    In the whole wide world

    You’re my secret Asian
    And I’m so so glad
    That you won’t face the racism
    That I have had
    You don’t look like me
    My angel girl
    But you’re the soul I love most
    In the whole wide world

  • TINY GIRL

    My heart soars, tiny girl
    When you’re coming to stay
    For the whole weekend
    And the holidays
    You always bring great style
    Wherever you go
    You always make me smile
    In your tiny clothes

    And I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for making mine a sunny day
    I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for taking all my blues away

    I love you, tiny girl
    You’re only four foot five
    But you are by far
    The best thing in my life
    So innocent and sweet
    So wholesome and so pure
    Loving you completely’s what my life is for

    And I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for making mine a sunny day
    I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for taking all my blues away

    My darling tiny girl
    You’re everything to me
    I’ll save you from the scary monsters
    In your dreams
    I’ll chase them ‘til the dawn
    So they will leave you be
    And all those scary monsters
    Gon’ be scared of me

    And I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for making mine a sunny day
    I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for taking all my blues away

    Someday my tiny girl
    You’re gonna reach your teens
    Then you’ll be embarrassed
    To be seen with me
    I’ll have to stand two metres
    From you in the street
    Pretending I don’t know you
    If we ever meet

    And I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for making mine a sunny day
    I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for taking all my blues away

    And I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for making mine a sunny day
    I say oh-oh-oh, I say ey-ey-ey
    Thank you for taking all my blues away

  • NOT NORMAL

    I’m so full of pain
    That it spills out of me
    I don’t want you to hear
    I don’t want you to see
    All the screaming in my brain
    All the anxiety
    All the things I can’t say
    All the words I can’t speak
    I am not insane
    Or at least I don’t think
    So I’ll get my pills
    And water to drink
    Tell me ‘bout your day
    As I stand by the sink
    And I’ll laugh, dance and play
    With Lily the Pink

    I’m not normal, not normal
    I’ve got bad things in my mind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    Though I can be sweet and kind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    I wish I could press rewind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    So please don’t leave me behind

    I’ve been full of pain
    Ever since I was three
    That’s when my dad
    Began hitting me
    My mum was so in love
    That she didn’t care
    She just wanted him
    To always be there
    She was cold and hard
    Loved my sister much more
    I spent so much time
    Curled crying on the floor
    Wishing they were dead
    So I could go into care
    And have a mum and dad
    Who would always be there

    I’m not normal, not normal
    I’ve got bad things in my mind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    Though I can be sweet and kind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    I wish I could press rewind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    So please don’t leave me behind

    When I was 24
    Suffered a violent attack
    I was pregnant back then
    And had to turn back
    I couldn’t give my baby
    A violent dad
    After the childhood
    That I had had
    It nearly killed me babe
    But I’m so glad now
    I’d have never had you
    So it worked out somehow
    But my mind bears the scars
    That he left on my face
    And it’s all led me here
    To this dark lonely place

    I’m not normal, not normal
    I’ve got bad things in my mind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    Though I can be sweet and kind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    I wish I could press rewind
    I’m not normal, not normal
    So please don’t leave me behind

  • I'LL BE THERE

    When you’re alone
    In the shadows of your heart
    And your life is a mess
    Yeah, it’s all fallen apart
    And you think it’s the end
    And your back’s against the wall
    Then I’ll be your best friend
    I’ll be there to break your fall

    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there

    When you’ve no money left
    No love or hope or friends
    And your heart it is closed
    And you think that it’s the end
    And you’re praying to God
    Yeah to come and save your soul
    Well I’ll save you instead
    Bring you in out of the cold

    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there

    I can’t bear to think of you
    Lost and all alone
    For in me, there will be
    A place you can call home
    Yeah I’ll hold you so tight
    And I’ll stroke your silky hair
    And I swear on my life
    Yeah I promise I’ll be there

    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there
    I’ll be there, I’ll be there

    In the dark cold night, I’ll be there
    In the morning light, I’ll be there
    Baby don’t you cry, I’ll be there
    Darling dry your eyes, I’ll be there (repeat to fade)

  • WELL, BABY

    I know I’m not like the other mums
    Who hang around the gates at school
    I’m not confident and capable
    I’m not the very definition of cool
    ‘Cause you see I wasn’t made that way
    I was brought up on abuse and pain
    And though I try to pretend I’m fine
    It’s still haunting my messed-up brain

    I do all I can
    To hide it from you
    But sometimes I think
    That you see through

    Well, baby
    You know that I’m not well, baby
    You know I’ve been to hell and back
    And I’m scorched charcoal black
    Though my soul is the colour blue
    Well, baby
    I’d catch you if you fell, baby
    I’m trying to be well for sure
    ‘Cause you’re all I adore
    So I’m sticking around for you

    I know I’m not like the other mums
    Who hang around and gossip together
    I’ve never been good at making friends
    Or making small talk about the weather
    ‘Cause you see I wasn’t raised that way
    I spent my whole entire childhood alone
    And I never knew whether it felt worse
    To be hated at school or at home

    I do all I can
    To hide it from you
    But sometimes I think
    That you know the truth

    Well, baby
    You know that I’m not well, baby
    You know I’ve been to hell and back
    And I’m scorched charcoal black
    Though my soul is the colour blue
    Well, baby
    I’d catch you if you fell, baby
    I’m trying to be well for sure
    ‘Cause you’re all I adore
    So I’m sticking around for you

    You don’t need to worry about me
    ‘Cause I’m stable as a mummy can be
    Got these pills that keep the sadness away
    And with you I know that I’ll be okay

    Well, baby
    You know that I’m not well, baby
    You know I’ve been to hell and back
    And I’m scorched charcoal black
    Though my soul is the colour blue
    Well, baby
    I’d catch you if you fell, baby
    I’m trying to be well for sure
    ‘Cause you’re all I adore
    So I’m sticking around for you

    Well, baby
    You know that I’m not well, baby
    You know I’ve been to hell and back
    And I’m scorched charcoal black
    Though my soul is the colour blue
    Well, baby
    I’d catch you if you fell, baby
    I’m trying to be well for sure
    ‘Cause you’re all I adore
    So I’m sticking around for you

  • WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE

    Baby, when I was your age
    I dreamed of an escape
    Because there was no love, no love in my life
    I used to misbehave
    I longed to run away
    Just to find a mum and dad who were kind
    When I was your age
    My dad flew into rages
    Said I was disgusting, sickening and wrong
    I thought I was so bad
    So violent was my dad
    And I let my trauma out in my songs

    Better, better
    Now I'm better, better
    Yeah I'm better
    Don’t worry ‘cause I'm better baby now

    Baby, when I was your age
    So low and so ashamed
    I didn’t have a single friend in the world
    I starved myself so thin
    Carved scars into my skin
    Because I thought that pain was all I deserved
    When I was your age
    I knew things had to change
    From violence, pain and hatred that I endured
    I dreamed I could create
    A whole new world away
    And fill it up with love and things I adored

    Better, better
    Now I'm better, better
    Yeah I'm better
    Don’t worry ‘cause I'm better baby now
    Better, better
    Now I'm better, better
    Yeah I'm better
    I promise that I'm better baby now

    Baby, when I was your age
    I tried to seek out fame
    And soar up as a star in hopes of being loved
    But it didn’t work out
    And so I settled down
    And I became a writer, and then your mum
    That brings us up to now
    I wish I had known how
    Deliriously happy I would be
    I have the sweetest girl
    In the entire world
    Giving her unconditional love to me

    Better, better
    Now I'm better, better
    Yeah I'm better
    Don’t worry ‘cause I'm better baby now

    Better, better
    Now I'm better, better
    Yeah I'm better
    Don’t worry ‘cause I'm better baby now

  • MIRACLE

    I don’t like religion
    Its stories are all fiction
    But I wrote our story and it came true
    I don’t hold with fate
    But I couldn’t wait
    To ask the universe to make you
    It’s probably just chance
    Genetics’ random dance
    I was ill and so wrong in the head
    Are you heaven sent, were you always meant? Without you, I would be dead

    You are my miracle, my miracle
    Your life saved me (my wonderful, magical girl)
    You are my miracle, my miracle
    And I believe you were meant to be

    I’m not a believer but I dreamt you in a fever
    I wished for you and now you are mine
    I am a skeptic but that wish was electric
    Crossing galaxies and all space and time
    I’m not an agnostic
    I’m cynical and caustic
    But your love makes me question the world
    I’m probably just guessing
    But I see you as a blessing
    My wonderful magical girl

    You are my miracle, my miracle
    Your life saved mine (my wonderful, magical girl)
    You are my miracle, my miracle
    To me you’re sacred and divine

    I know I’m sounding odd
    ‘Cause I don’t believe in God
    But the power of love is out there
    I’m not superstitious but my crazy wish has Brought me happiness beyond compare
    We only get one life
    And I was going to end mine
    But I chose to wait and see you
    Life was hanging by a rope
    But I held onto my hope
    And you made all my dreams come true

    I believe in Russell’s teapot
    I believe in Occam’s Razor
    And I believe that vaccines
    Are humanity’s saviour
    I always look to science
    To provide me with my answers
    And I don’t believe that prayer
    Can ever cure any cancers
    If there’s God why do we suffer
    If there’s God why do we fight?
    If there’s God why aren’t we better
    At protecting human rights?
    With endless holy wars
    And minorities oppressed
    I don’t believe religion
    Can be ever for the best

    But you are my miracle, my miracle
    Your life saved me (my wonderful, magical girl)
    You are my miracle, my miracle
    And I believe you were meant to be

    You are my miracle, my miracle
    Your life saved mine (my wonderful, magical girl)
    You are my miracle, my miracle
    To me you’re sacred and divine

  • KALEIDOSCOPE

    I was lost
    Now I’m found
    Soaring the skies
    Not falling down
    I wished for you
    You came to be
    And nothing ever felt so sweet
    As when you slipped
    Your hand in mine
    Your sticky kisses
    Like sunshine
    Your eyelash wishes
    On the stars
    There’ll never be a love like ours

    It’s a kaleidoscope of colour
    I’m so grateful I’m your mother
    I could never love another
    Like I love you, like I love you
    It’s a kaleidoscope of dreams
    Your perfect heart is all it seems
    So lucky that you came to be
    And I love you, I love you

    I was at the nadir
    Of my whole life, so full of fear
    I was staring in the void
    No more hurt, no more noise
    I was reaching for a knife
    Desperate to end my life
    Then I found out you were here
    I endured the pain, endured the fear

    It’s a kaleidoscope of colour
    I’m so grateful I’m your mother
    I could never love another
    Like I love you, like I love you
    It’s a kaleidoscope of dreams
    Your perfect heart is all it seems
    So lucky that you came to be
    And I love you, I love you

    I was down
    Now I’m up
    So full of life
    So full of love
    I wake each day
    So glad to be
    Alive and well
    You gave to me
    A beautiful shiny world
    Where nothing aches and nothing hurts
    I can’t thank you enough
    You are my life, you are my love

    It’s a kaleidoscope of colour
    I’m so grateful I’m your mother
    I could never love another
    Like I love you, like I love you
    It’s a kaleidoscope of dreams
    Your perfect heart is all it seems
    So lucky that you came to be
    And I love you, I love you

    It’s a kaleidoscope of colour
    I’m so grateful I’m your mother
    I could never love another
    Like I love you, like I love you
    It’s a kaleidoscope of dreams
    Your perfect heart is all it seems
    So lucky that you came to be
    And I love you, I love you