[Sequence: Piano Intro | Verse 1 | Pre-Chorus | Chorus | Verse 2 | Pre-Chorus | Chorus | Piano/Sax Break | Verse 3 | Bridge | Final Chorus | Outro] [Intro | Driving Piano] [Verse 1] I know better than to call her When the clock says half past two. Know better than to start a fight When I already know the truth. Know better than to tell myself One drink won't become three. And I definitely know better Than to hand my old friend Billy Another set of keys. I've got experience behind me. I've got evidence somehow. You'd think by this point in my life... I'd know better now. [Pre-Chorus] I've learned the hard way. I've learned it twice. Some lessons apparently Come with a lifetime price. [Chorus] I KNOW BETTER NOW! That's what everybody says. I've got fifty years of wisdom And twenty-five inside my head. I know which roads go nowhere. I know which fires burn. Yeah, I know better now... I just don't always use What I've learned. I KNOW BETTER NOW! At least that's what I've heard. Knowing better's one thing... Doing better? That's another word. [Verse 2] I know money doesn't buy you peace. But it can buy a boat. I know boats are bad investments... That's something else I know. I know nothing good comes easy. I know easy isn't free. I know every warning sign by heart... Especially the ones I completely ignore deliberately. I know when someone's trouble. I can see it from a mile. My problem isn't recognizing it... My problem is sometimes I kinda like the style. [Pre-Chorus] I've got scars. I've got proof. I've got stories I probably Shouldn't tell the youth. [Chorus] I KNOW BETTER NOW! That's what everybody says. I've got fifty years of wisdom And twenty-five inside my head. I know which roads go nowhere. I know which fires burn. Yeah, I know better now... I just don't always use What I've learned. I KNOW BETTER NOW! I've earned every word. Knowing better's one thing... Doing better? Still working on that part. [Piano and Saxophone Break] [Verse 3] Now I know when to say I'm sorry. Most times before I'm told. I know being right ain't worth much If you're sitting right alone. I know friends are worth forgiving. I know time is worth more than gold. And I know someday you wake up And somehow you're the one Everybody calls old. So these days I pick my battles. Let the little things slide. And every now and then When good sense isn't looking... I still enjoy the ride. [Bridge | Piano and Vocal] Maybe getting older Isn't finally getting wise. Maybe it's just recognizing Your favorite kinds of lies. Maybe wisdom isn't never falling. Maybe wisdom's knowing when... To get yourself back up, Laugh about it... And try not to do That particular thing again. [Band Builds] No guarantees. [Final Chorus | Full Band] I KNOW BETTER NOW! And I finally understand. I've got fifty years behind me And whatever's left still in my hands. I know which roads go nowhere... But sometimes that's the road I want! I know which fires burn... And which ones keep you warm! Yeah, I know better now! But I ain't figured everything out. And anybody who tells you they have... Probably doesn't know What they're talking about! I KNOW BETTER NOW! Or at least I'm getting there. A little more wisdom! A little less hair! Still making mistakes... Just better ones now! Yeah... I KNOW BETTER NOW! [Outro | Piano Groove] I know I should get home early. I know tomorrow starts at eight. I know I've said "one more song" Three times already tonight. [Pause] But this piano's sounding pretty good... And I've got nowhere else to be. So maybe knowing better... Can wait until tomorrow. [Rolling Piano Run] See? Progress. [Final Piano Chord] [End]
