About The Song
“Better Things to Do” is the debut single by Canadian country music artist Terri Clark. It was released in July 1995 and is from her self-titled debut album. The song was written by Clark, Tom Shapiro, and Chris Waters. It was a top 10 hit on both the U.S. and Canadian country charts, where it peaked at number 3 on both.
“Better Things to Do” is an up-tempo song about a narrator who realizes that she has “better things to do” than to sit around and cry over her ended relationship. At the same time, her man wants her back, thinking she’s lost without him.
Deborah Evans Price of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it a “good uptempo tune with a solid delivery.”
Terri Clark’s first music video was released for the song, directed by Michael Merriman. In the video, Clark is shown playing her guitar out in the desert as her ex is attempting to use a payphone to reach her. Later, she hops into her jeep and drives in circles around him as he pleads for her to come back to him. Eventually she drives off, leaving him in a cloud of dust.
“Better Things to Do” debuted at number 72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of July 15, 1995.
Video
Lyrics
Don’t tell me the reason that you’re calling
Is to see if I’m alright since you’ve been gone
‘Cause I know you and I know why we’re talking
You’re wanting me to say I’m barely hanging on
Maybe that was true for a night or two
But now, I’ve got better things to do
I could wash my car in the rain
Change my new guitar strings
Mow the yard just the same as I did yesterday
I don’t need to waste my time crying over you
I’ve got better things to do
Maybe when I don’t have so much going
Or quite so many irons in the fire
I’ll take the time to miss you like you’re hoping
But now, I can’t put forth the effort it requires
Well, I’d love to talk to you, but then I’d miss Donahue
That’s right, I’ve got better things to do
I could wash my car in the rain
Change my new guitar strings
Mow the yard just the same as I did yesterday
I don’t need to waste my time crying over you
I’ve got better things to do (here we go, woo)
I could check the air in my tires, straighten my stereo wires
Count the stars in the sky, just get on with my life
I don’t need to waste my time crying over you
I’ve got better things to do
I’ve got better things to do, yeah
Hey, wanna go grab I drink?
I don’t have time