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Evan Olson — So Much Better
Album: One Room
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 513









Released: 1999
Length: 3:39
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Long before I had you in my dreams
You came and captured my imagination
Though some things are never what they seem
I never had to worry 'cause I know you are

Better than the Venus De Milo in a g-string
Better than the promise of a good one night fling
Better than a big book of Bettie Page pictures
Even if it came with a year subscription
Better than a ticket to a Holyfield ringside
Better than the daughter of a sultan for a bride
Better than the cherry on a whipped cream sundae
Better than a week that'll never have a Monday

Share your love with me tonight (yeah)
I wanna feel that love

Long before I looked into your eyes
I saw a million stars start flashin'
Even though sometimes I wondered why
I never have to worry what you are, ooh

You're better than a bag full of Benjamin Franklins
Better than the keys to a brand new Lincoln
Better than the winnings of a New York Lotto
Even if it came with a new house and an auto
And you're better than a year on a paid vacation
Better than a brand new year celebration
Better than a day full of Seinfeld humor
And you're better than hearing a celebrity rumor

Share your love with me tonight (oh)
I wanna feel that love

Share your love with me tonight
I wanna feel that love

Share your love with me tonight
Comments (105)add comment
This song was a story on Reply All podcast. it was an earworm in this guy's head and they were helping him try to figure out what it was. they even called Steven Page from Barrnaked Ladies to try to figure out what the song was. They got a band to recreate it and finally tracked down Olson
 evano wrote:

I don't know the key to happiness but the key to misery is trying to please everybody. So Much Better was meant to be a fun song. If you don't like it I apologize.




Why apologize?  I like it.  Great workout, dance, sex, weed smoking, bike riding, car driving, house cleaning, party, bar beering, enjoy life tune.  Have at it.  
 phpwebber wrote:

Little info about Evan. I believe he went to University of North Carolina Greensboro. First time I saw him was when he was fronting a band called Majosha in 1989. I think the former leader of the band (Ben Folds) left to form his band (Ben Folds Five obviously). Evan then fronted a band called The Straight Ahead. Great band. The would frequently fill local clubs. Evan was a great front man and often danced the whole night while singing (you'd have to see it). The band was on a Star Search-type television program where they had to change their name to 'Bus Stop'. I believe there already was a band named The Straight Ahead. Unfortunately, they slowed down the tempo and the energy just wasn't in the performance. They didn't win. They still performed as Bus Stop for quite a while before breaking up. I booked his band a few times in the nineties. He's a great guy. Always would hang out afterwards to talk to people. Anyway, I hope for all the best for him. He works very hard when he performs and deserves attention.



Loved Evan with Majosha & Bus Stop! He has so much energy on stage! Talked with him several times at different venues in Greensboro & Winston-Salem when he performed solo. Such a nice guy 
ANOTHER first time for me here on RP.  I hear an entire GALAXY of music I would never get in my ears and brain if not for RP.  Great, good and not so, I always learn and appreciate. I owe you some money.  Stand by.  I'm unemployed but I'm enriched by RP music. 
OMG!  I worked with his sister in law in the 90's - and they (straight ahead/bus stop) were SO much fun to see live! What a blast from the past and the podcast is fabulous fun!   And it's definitely an earworm of a ditty...
 mrfohr wrote:

I think song was featured in the Reply-All podcast. Great episode.




https://gimletmedia.com/shows/...
So good to hear this smokin little number again. That is some rockin guitar and there are just some really interesting things going on in it. As Bill said, a silly little song, but I really like it.
I think song was featured in the Reply-All podcast. Great episode.
 stuartgurden wrote:

I heard a terrific podcast a few weeks ago from reply-all: 

https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/o2h8bx/158-the-case-of-the-missing-hit

I had never heard this song until I listened to the podcast.  It's a great journey of discovery and recommended for a listen even if you know the answer...



Exactly what i was jumping on to say. This is one of the funnest podcasts I've ever listened to. 
I do not remember this song from the 80s but, according to the podcast, it was very popular in some regions of the US and not so much in others. 
Also
Barenaked Ladies + U2 = Evan Olson
I heard a terrific podcast a few weeks ago from reply-all: 

https://gimletmedia.com/shows/reply-all/o2h8bx/158-the-case-of-the-missing-hit

I had never heard this song until I listened to the podcast.  It's a great journey of discovery and recommended for a listen even if you know the answer...
 RPR5110 wrote:
I like this song. Disappointing that I can't find it on YouTube.
 
Aaaand 9 years later you get your answer (Beat that, Google!) :

Just PSD'd to this and it really is So Much Better
I like this song. Disappointing that I can't find it on YouTube.
I don't know the key to happiness but the key to misery is trying to please everybody. So Much Better was meant to be a fun song. If you don't like it I apologize.
One of the best live artists to see..PS. he was with Ben Folds in 3 bands.
he sounds like Bono. The riff sounds like a u2 thing.
Soul Coughing + Sublime? The ranting verses sound just like M. Doughty.
A fun little number, but where did he lift that organ riff from? It's driving me nuts.
chrisinwilson wrote:
Didn't we do all this back in the '80's?
Haha! I was thinking the same, but for whatever reason I can't help but like this just a little...
Hey Macarena!! Decent guitar, though.
So much worse!
Good noise, captured my attention straight away. Is there a better test?
actually.... I don't like the chorus. Nevermind.
Kinda has that "I know what boys like" sound to it. Actually has a lot of many bands sound in it that it really has no individual presence. Oh well, not a bad song really. My wife was listening and said "Hey, is this U2?"
I gotta a fever and the only prescription is ... more Jew's harp. Gotta have more Jew's harp , baby!
God help me, but I really like song. But be warned--the rest of the CD sucks. It's all the cheesiness of this song thrown into an already full fondue pot.
Sick of this song!!
Did he say better than a model in a g-string? He's really pushing it.
Johnny_Vector wrote:
Isn't that the Macarena I hear in the chorus?
yes...aaaaggggggghhhhhhhhhh.....bleck
crockydile wrote:
This is just sooo cute...I must hunt it down, kill it and roast it.
Just talked to Ted Nugent...he says evan olsons aren't in season until the fall...sorry dude.
Didn't we do all this back in the '80's?
Killer lead guitar tone. Don't know how I feel about the silly juice harp.
Isn't that the Macarena I hear in the chorus?
No, No and No!
crockydile wrote:
This is just sooo cute...I must hunt it down, kill it and roast it.
I liked this song better when it was called "I Want You" by Savage Garden.
The flute bits remind me a great deal of the music from the Sims!
better than Bettie Page?? No Way!
somuchbetterwithalittlemorecowbell
Barenaked Ladies meets Soundgarden...bleech.
This is just sooo cute...I must hunt it down, kill it and roast it.
I liked this song so much I purchased a used copy of the CD. Big Mistake! The rest of the album was so bad I couldn't even finish listening to it.
AphidA wrote:
Jeeeeeezus no! If I sensed that, I would have given this a 1.
Absolutely spot on - similarity to Savage Garden earns instant flushing down the toilet bowl of shame. This track's not bad though. A bit bonkers, but okay, and the lyrics are pretty funny.
Cookie wrote:
This reminds me of... geez, was it a Savagegarden song? The one that goes "(mumble mumble mumble) chick-a cherry cola... OOhh, I want you, I don't know if I need you, but ooooh, I've died and found heaven"? Anyway, it reminds me of that song. But it's a lot better.
Jeeeeeezus no! If I sensed that, I would have given this a 1.
radiozep wrote:
Bare Naked Bonos...
Too funny. I was thinking the same thing!
Baby_M wrote:
A strange brew of rap, pop, and a hint of reggae. Infectiously fun.
With some U2 thrown in on the chorus. I like it.
love it! so pissed i can't purchase it at the iTunes store!
A strange brew of rap, pop, and a hint of reggae. Infectiously fun.
Its a little bit of fun music... And im bouncing in my chair :p
Batta Batta Swing batta batta than a weeks vacation.
Leslie wrote:
This is horrid.
I utterly agree with your statement. This is seriously horrid.
radiozep wrote:
Bare Naked Bonos...
At the end, it sounded just like Eno/Cale...
I despise my self for liking this sooo much ... damn, just caught my self dancing in my seat!
This reminds me of... geez, was it a Savagegarden song? The one that goes "(mumble mumble mumble) chick-a cherry cola... OOhh, I want you, I don't know if I need you, but ooooh, I've died and found heaven"? Anyway, it reminds me of that song. But it's a lot better.
radiozep wrote:
Bare Naked Bonos...
That's funny - thanks
This is horrid.
effba wrote:
You really CAN just enjoy something without over-analyzing. Really you can! Just so you know...it's allowed.
I just tried. You're right! Feels pretty good too!
You really CAN just enjoy something without over-analyzing. Really you can! Just so you know...it's allowed.
Bare Naked Bonos...
sounds like someones playing U2 in the next room.
Bodhisattva wrote:
Yeah, check into the William Shatner "Common People" clinic... (if there's room)
:D
not deep or anything, but fun.
Cake meets the Blue Man Group.
GROOOOOOVYYYY!
I cannot help but like a song that gives me new compliments for my lady (who really is so much better than the cherry from an ice cream sundae). -Daiv
flandersdog wrote:
I don't want to like it...but I do...are there support groups for this sort of thing?
Yeah, check into the William Shatner "Common People" clinic... (if there's room)
Quirky but catchy...toe-tappity!
This is, for the most part, the Techno-Macarena!
Mikey Likey!
flandersdog wrote:
I don't want to like it...but I do...are there support groups for this sort of thing?
Yes -- but they're not So Much Better than what you're going through now.
Very catchy peppy tune! This song is giving me needed energy!
Don't know why, but I'm liking this. Just enough poppy goodness. Not everything has be groundbreaking...
damien wrote:
chicken from china the chinese chicken have a drumstick and your brain stops ticking
Barenaked Ladies?
damien wrote:
chicken from china the chinese chicken have a drumstick and your brain stops ticking
exactly what it reminded me of ... and I don't like that song.
I thought my filter fluked on Remy Zero. Muted.
Didn't know Bono did side-projects..
I don't want to like it...but I do...are there support groups for this sort of thing?
radiojunkie wrote:
It's not just the Bono-isms...I feel like EVERY element of this song is lifted from some other song. It's catchy and grows on you, but it makes me feel dirty when it does.
I hear a little Everclear in the chorus.
It's not just the Bono-isms...I feel like EVERY element of this song is lifted from some other song. It's catchy and grows on you, but it makes me feel dirty when it does.
hmm...this is one I hear and like and then I'm hearing a little too much.But today I will still like it.
Makes me smile.... every damn time! :-)
...
o.k., i'm finally with this tune.
right on damien
Schmackdown wrote:
Last name: Olson, not Olsen. Many thanks to the lazy fsck that mis-tagged this on a CDDB upload and messed up anyone else with the CD trying to import it into their MP3 collection.
DEAR GOD! A mistagged CDDB entry! It's, like, Tsumani the Sequel. How will we ever repair the damage?
"Better than the keys to a brand new Lincoln??" Strange lyric. Especially when sung in that Barenaked Ladies quasi-rapping style.
chicken from china the chinese chicken have a drumstick and your brain stops ticking
Most of the song sounds like a car commercial background, but the chorus soars. More chorus, please.
Cool song, but I now have the urge to do the Macerena.
RichardPrins wrote:
another U2?
Reminds me more of Howard Jones, but with excellent guitar work thrown into the mix...
Nice little ditty. I like it.
Little info about Evan. I believe he went to University of North Carolina Greensboro. First time I saw him was when he was fronting a band called Majosha in 1989. I think the former leader of the band (Ben Folds) left to form his band (Ben Folds Five obviously). Evan then fronted a band called The Straight Ahead. Great band. The would frequently fill local clubs. Evan was a great front man and often danced the whole night while singing (you'd have to see it). The band was on a Star Search-type television program where they had to change their name to 'Bus Stop'. I believe there already was a band named The Straight Ahead. Unfortunately, they slowed down the tempo and the energy just wasn't in the performance. They didn't win. They still performed as Bus Stop for quite a while before breaking up. I booked his band a few times in the nineties. He's a great guy. Always would hang out afterwards to talk to people. Anyway, I hope for all the best for him. He works very hard when he performs and deserves attention.
I can't help but do a little desk-drumming to this one. I also like the pluckety-pluckety guitar riff throughout most of the tune.
RichardPrins wrote:
another U2?
My thoughts exactly.
Schmackdown wrote:
Last name: Olson, not Olsen. Many thanks to the lazy fsck that mis-tagged this on a CDDB upload and messed up anyone else with the CD trying to import it into their MP3 collection.
Thanks! Fixed here on RP at least.
Last name: Olson, not Olsen. Many thanks to the lazy fsck that mis-tagged this on a CDDB upload and messed up anyone else with the CD trying to import it into their MP3 collection.
JohnErle wrote:
that rapid-fire, ironic, white-boy rapping style reminded of Barenaked Ladies' "One Week".
well to me it reminded me of Jazzberry Ram from Vancouver (now disbanded), who had this style perfected. Quite likeable.
i'm slowly getting to like this. raised from a 5 to a 7 today...
Yay, woo hoo! Go Evan!
RichardPrins wrote:
another U2?
I was thinking another Cake.... but I think I might like better than either. Hmmmmm....
Criminally overlooked is right. Anybody knows how many records there are of him?
Most excellent funkadelic groove...
Definitely don't write this guy off for the slight Bono-isms of the chorus on this song. He's an amazingly talented, criminally overlooked, North Carolina powerpop singer/songwriter/guitar player. He's played for years in the same Greensboro, NC scene that sent Ben Folds on his way (he's played in numerous combo's with Ben). Definitely worth checking out.
another U2?