Eng

Northcutt 1
Uniqua Northcutt
6/15/2021
Prof. Johnson
Eng. Comp.
"Better Day"
If you were to ask ten people about the song “Better Days” you would get ten different
answers. Better Days has many different interpretations from spiritual, uplifting, to going
through dark times and making it through. This song has been around for many years and is still
being remade currently. In 2018 gospel artist Le'Andria Johnson recorded her own version of
Better Days. Her song has been rewritten to have a new style of gospel with a soulful tone. She
first sang this song as a contestant on Sunday’s Best, a gospel American Idol. Johnson competed
and won against many to become the next big artist.
Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake showed the world in 2021 their version of “Better
Days”, during the Inauguration of President elect J. Biden and K. Harris. Clemons and
Timberlake performed this song at a time that felt too many like uncertainty, hatred and
indifference. This version of the song was a little different from others it offered gospel, pop
and some R&B with an upbeat tempo to get the attention of the younger generation.
Northcutt 2
Better Days are coming; a philosophy and an idealization to live by in our daily lives are vividly
spoken on in both songs. Respectfully both artists speak on the various struggles as well as
victories that we as people encounter on a daily basis in our lives. Saying that troubles don’t last
all ways, and hold on to your faith that everything will work out in the end.
Ant Clemons and Johnson both used different imagery to interact with their audience.
Clemons used relatable metaphors and emotional settings throughout the video to connect
with Ethos and Pathos. He decided to release this single during a very emotional time for
everyone, during the Pandemic of Covid-19 and right after a stressful presidential term. He
started this video in what seems to be a dark garage studio and throughout the video he moves
to theatres, corner stands and outside surrounding other people and as the video continued
you could see and hear how from start to finish Clemons was building to the climax of his song.
He wanted people to feel and understand that it’s never easy, you can’t give up and things will
get better.
“I know you’ve been kicked down,
slept on, let down, faith gone,
waited for too long for something to lean on.
You feel weak, just be strong
deep breath, stay calm if you just press on”

Northcutt 3
Johnson took a more subtle approach. She had a very simple but climax video, with only a piano
and organ Johnson gave you soulful, pain and strength. With her new style gospel she also sang
to Ethos and Pathos. She also spoke of being in a storm and trusting in yourself to get through
it. Her song was made for all people. Because the storms people go through can be extremely
different internal or external.
These two expressive artists were able to capture a beautiful song remake and
modernize it and make it current for the generation now to understand. Clemons who's
audience is more of the younger generation, who'd prefer a more upbeat, visual, and soulful
sound revealed in an interview how people from this generation have to deal with depression,
acceptance, and abandonment along with other storms that make you just want to give up, so
he made this piece to give them hope. Johnson who also experience battling internal hardship
mentioned that "Friends will leave you by yourself " and “People don’t see the hurt inside”,
which reference going through the storm alone, some friends will leave you alone but you
cannot give up and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Although this is something we
learn growing up through our own trials and experience to have a song go along with brings
awareness to what is also going on around us as well.
Both artists being totally different musically have made this style of song very popular. With
both giving personal experiences of depression, giving up, fighting internal battles and not giving up on
their dreams have shown us how to come together, continue to build each other up and encouraging
Northcutt 4
one another can bring us to the light at the end of the tunnel and show us that better days are ahead.
They show people that just because we have hard times and it may seem like we are alone there are
others going through the same storm but we must remain focus and continue to make the best of our
current situations.
After, listening to these two songs several times I find that is easy for people to lose focus and
get discourage. Artist makes video to bring awareness of what is current and going around our
environment. I find these songs and other songs like this to be encouraging and uplifting and even
though it may seem like things are not how they should or could be better, they could also be worst.
Work Cited
Better Days (feat. Justin Timberlake) [Performance from the 2021 Inauguration] - YouTube
Ant Clemons talks "Better Days" with Justin Timberlake, his faith, self care, and more! - YouTube
Le'Andria Johnson - Better Days (Official Music Video) - YouTube

Eng

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Eng

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Eng

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Northcutt 1

and won against many to become the next big artist.

“I know you’ve been kicked down,

slept on, let down, faith gone,

waited for too long for something to lean on.

You feel weak, just be strong

deep breath, stay calm if you just press on”

different internal or external.

awareness to what is also going on around us as well.

Le'Andria Johnson - Better Days (Official Music Video) - YouTube

You might also like