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Better Off

Unreleased | 2004

“Better Off” is one of Taylor’s many unreleased songs. It was co-written by Robert Ellis Orrall, who was one of her frequent collaborators up until the release of her debut studio album, Taylor Swift, in 2006. She describes being in a relationship with a boy her friends don’t approve of.

Background and Lyrical Theme

In an interview with the “Swift Legacy Podcast”, co-writer Robert Ellis Orral confirmed that “Better Off” was written in 2004:

«The songs we first cut for her in '04 that we would bring around to record labels were 'The Outside,' 'Your Face,' 'I Heart ?,' 'Crazier,' 'Beautiful Eyes,' 'What To Wear,' 'Better Off,' 'Invisible,' 'Just South of Knowing Why' and 'Need You Now.' And then one more, which is 'I’m Every Woman.'»

Robert Ellis Orrall

The leaked version of “Better Off” is a studio demo cut. The song was considered for Taylor’s self-titled debut album in 2006 but ultimately didn’t make the final tracklist. In January 2023, “Better Off” was added to Taylor’s Sony registry.

In the lyrics, Taylor sings about wanting to be with a boy who her friends don’t approve of. In the end, she doesn’t listen to them and finds happiness with the boy she loves.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
I live down the street in a broken down house
And a car up on blocks in the driveway
The moment we meet, there was never a doubt
That we won’t forget this Sunday
It starts with a smile, and we walk a few miles
And it all leads to this
Our first kiss

[Chorus]
All my friends are saying
Girl, what are you thinking?
You’re better off
You’re better off without him
Find yourself another
Girl, that boy is trouble
You’re better off, you’re better off
They can talk forever, they just don’t know better

[Verse 2]
We drive around town in a rusty old truck
Somehow it feels like we’re flying
Don’t want to come down
But they make it so tough
Cause everyone we know is trying
To push us apart, hide it down in our hearts
And they get what they want cause you’re gone

[Chorus]
All my friends are saying
Girl, why are you crying?
You’re better off, you’re better off without him
Find yourself another
Girl, that boy is trouble
You’re better off, you’re better off
They can talk forever, they just don’t know better

[Bridge]
You come to my door
In the pouring rain
We know what we don’t have to say
You hand me a rose and a note that says
We don’t have to do things their way

[Chorus]
All my friends are saying
Girl, what are you thinking?
You’re better off, you’re better off without him
Find yourself another
Girl, that boy is trouble
You’re better off, you’re better off
Well, they can talk forever, they just don’t know better

Artist	Taylor Swift
Status	Unreleased
Leaked	2009
Written	2004
Genre	Country
Length	3:20
Songwriters	Taylor Swift Robert Ellis Orrall
Producer	Robert Ellis Orrall

Better Off

Unreleased | 2004

Table of Contents

Background and Lyrical Theme

Lyrics

Discography

Videography

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