"Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" is a song by American music group Citizen King from their second studio album, Mobile Estates (1999), as the second track. It was first released to rock radio on January 26, 1999, and was given a commercial release later the same year, serving as the band's debut single. The song peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 20 on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in August 1999. Citizen King did not release another single that replicated the success of "Better Days", making them a one-hit wonder.
Meaning Citizen King bassist Mount Sims explained that "Better Days" is about the condition of the band three years before the song became a hit, when he was working at a general store and yearned for a life where music was his only focus.
Track listings US and German CD single; US cassette single "Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" – 3:38 "Basement Show" – 3:22
US maxi-CD single "Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" (album version) – 3:38 "Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" (Idiot Savant remix) – 6:52 "Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" (McMonkey and Fries remix) – 2:12 "Better Days (And the Bottom Drops Out)" (Mario Caldato Jr. remix) – 3:20 "Checkout Line" (Cibo Matto remix) – 3:53
Australian CD single "Better Days" (LP version) "Better Days" (Mario Caldato Jr. remix) "Check Out Line" (Cibo Matto remix) "Better Days" (Idiot Savant remix) "Better Days" (McMonkey & Fries remix)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1999)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA)86US Billboard Hot 10025US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)10US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)11US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)33US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)3US Top 40 Tracks (Billboard)16
Year-end charts Chart (1999)PositionUS Billboard Hot 10096US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)22US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)36US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)16
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesJanuary 26, 1999Warner Bros.April 6, 1999Contemporary hit radio
In popular culture The song was included in the soundtrack for 2000 film Gone in 60 Seconds. The song was used to close out both the pilot and series finale of the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle.Why 'Malcolm in the Middle' was a seminal comedy
References