(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Originally penned for WXPN's Philly Anthems series, Eric Bazilian's newest song, "Better Times," is out now. The founding member of The Hooters will be releasing a series of new music this year with this as the first single and was featured in Twangville's Why It Matters series to discuss eating well on the road, his first gig in his hometown, and how inflation has impacted touring. "We know how fortunate we are. We worked a long time to get here, and we never take it for granted."
Americana-tinged "Better Times" begins stripped down with just a voice and piano, before it crescendos into the songwriter's signature guitar work, a rousing string quartet and a choir uplift Bazilian's expressive lead vocal. Written from the perspective of someone who has become disillusioned with the promises made by the people in power but still maintains hope for the country he calls home. "Better times, had better come soon, maybe not this morning, maybe not this afternoon. I'm not asking for the sky, I'm not reaching for the moon, but better times, had better come soon."
"We're living through a complicated moment," says Bazilian. "I wanted to write about the challenges we face today through the eyes of someone people from any political or social perspective could recognize—and perhaps even see themselves in. More than anything, I wanted to write a song that acknowledges disappointment without surrendering hope."
"I was honored to be invited to contribute to the Philly Anthems project," he continues. "I wasn't interested in writing an anthem that told people what to think. I wanted to start a conversation. If someone who sees the world differently than I do can hear themselves in this song, then I feel I've done my job."
Eric Bazilian is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is a founding member of The Hooters. He assisted his The Hooters bandmates in arranging and recording Cyndi Lauper's She's So Unusual, and counts his guitarwork on "Time After Time" amongst his best. Columbia Records released The Hooters Nervous Night, which sold over two million copies, and included Billboard Top 40 hits such as "Day By Day," "And We Danced," and "Where Do The Children Go." The Hooters performed at three of the most important musical events of the 20th century: Live-Aid in 1985, Amnesty International Concert in 1986, and Roger Waters' extravaganza at The Wall in Berlin in 1990.
Bazilian's talents as a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer were all put to work on Joan Osborne's debut, Relish, which was nominated for six Grammy Awards in 1996. Of those six, Bazilian was awarded a Grammy for Song Of The Year for his original, "One Of Us." Outside of his own work, songwriting credits include Billie Myers/"Kiss The Rain," Robbie Williams /"Old Before I Die," Amanda Marshall/"Believe In You," Ricky Martin/"Private Emotion," and "Lo Mejor Di Mi Vida Eres Tu, The Scorpions/"The Best Is Yet To Come," amongst others.
Bazilian's solo output includes albums, The Optimist (2000), A Very Dull Boy (2002), What Shall Become Of The Baby (2012) Bazilian (2021), and a co-release with Tania Doko Hers, His & Ours (2024) in addition to numerous collaborations with other artists. He will continue to play with The Hooters, produce and write with other artists, and release his own music. He will be playing select shows throughout 2026.
