Good (Better Than Ezra song) explained

"Good" is a song by American alternative rock band Better Than Ezra. It was released in February 1995 by Elektra as the first single from their major-label debut album, Deluxe (1995). It reached 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Composition

Kevin Griffin wrote the song in late 1990 or early 1991, just after he had graduated from LSU and had formed Better Than Ezra. It was a part of the band's set lists for several years before being released as a single in early 1995. His simple four-chord pattern and strong modulation were inspired by Bob Dylan's mastery of the three-chord structure, as well as alt-rock pioneers R.E.M. and the Pixies. "I wanted to talk about the positive things that come from the end of a relationship. There's always the hurt feelings and everyone's guarded and it can be traumatic, but when the dust settles, it was about looking at the good things - no pun intended - that you got from that relationship. How did you grow? What did you learn emotionally? And to experience some stuff. And in this case it was just kind of reflecting on how this person changed," said Griffin. He was in a happy relationship at the time, so the song wasn't personal experience, but he broke up shortly after.^[4]

Track listings and formats

• US CD and cassette single^{[5] [6]}

1. "Good"  – 3:05
2. "Circle of Friends" (Live Version) – 3:39

• German maxi-CD single^[7]

1. "Good"  – 3:05
2. "Summerhouse" (Live Version) – 2:23
3. "Know You Better" (Live Version) – 4:32
4. "Circle of Friends" (Live Version) – 3:39

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1995)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[8]	86
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	30
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[10]	3
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[11]	1
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)[12]	17
US Cash Box Top 100[13]	22

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)	Position
Canada Rock/Alternative (RPM)[14]	17
US Billboard Hot 100[15]	85
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[16]	8
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)	2

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	February 1995		Elektra
United Kingdom	June 12, 1995			[17]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ranking: Every Alternative Rock No. 1 Hit From Worst to Best. March 28, 2016. January 31, 2022.
2. Web site: The 95 Best Alternative Rock Songs Of 1995. 2015-08-06. January 31, 2021. Spin.
3. Web site: Top Ten Mediocre Post-Grunge / Alternative Bands . . July 30, 2015 . Unterberger, Andrew . August 15, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150815235835/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-mediocre-post-grunge-alternative-bands.htm . dead .
4. Web site: Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra. Wiser. Carl. April 27, 2016. Songfacts. February 18, 2021.
5. Good. Better Than Ezra. 1995. US CD single liner notes. Elektra Records. 7559-64428-2.
6. Good. Better Than Ezra. 1995. US cassette single liner notes. Elektra Records. 4-64428.
7. Good. Better Than Ezra. 1995. German maxi-CD single liner notes. Elektra Records. 7559-66118-2.
8. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 17 Sep 1995. ARIA. Imgur. July 5, 2017. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
9. Billboard Hot 100. Billboard. July 8, 1995. September 14, 2023.
10. Mainstream Rock Airplay. Billboard. June 10, 1995. subscription. September 14, 2023.
11. Alternative Airplay. Billboard. April 29, 1995. September 14, 2023.
12. Pop Airplay. Billboard. August 19, 1995. subscription. September 14, 2023.
13. Web site: U.S. Cash Box Charts. popmusichistory. May 3, 2023.
14. RPM Top 50 Alternative Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. August 8, 2021.
15. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1995. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090304120640/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1995. March 4, 2009. August 31, 2010.
16. The Year in Music. Billboard. 107. 51. YE-76–77. December 23, 1995. August 8, 2021.
17. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 31. June 10, 1995.